It’s the dream of millions to make a living off of music—to be in a band and focus on just that, rather than having to make ends meet through a variety of jobs that detract from the creative process or the energy it takes to see it through. It’s something that New Jersey punk icons The Bouncing Souls have been doing for almost a quarter of a century now. Of course, the irony is that when your music becomes your source of income, what was once a fun hobby needs to be treated like a job in order to keep doing it.
While many bands could and would and, indeed, have, become jaded by that paradox, and the vicious cycle that success in the music industry brings with it, The Bouncing Souls have managed to retain and maintain their purity of purpose. The youthful zest and vigor that has always defined their music remains—it courses through the 10 songs that make up Ten Stories High, the band’s twelfth studio album, and especially in the fabric of “Back to Better.”
Just like the song itself, the new video focuses on the restorative power of music and the importance of friendship and community, when it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. In the clip, that weight is depicted through the horrors of war (and the ensuing PTSD), the drudgery of 9-5 life, and the slow erosion of youthful dreams as the reality of our disposable, consumerist, smartphone-addicted system (and subsequent cultural wasteland) overpowers our lives.
Still, even if it’s not possible to ignore all that, this song and video are proof that you don’t have to willingly fall prey to it. Rather, you can focus on the things that really matter—love, community, friendship, music—and instead, to quote the MC5, kick out the jams, motherfucker. It’s a beautiful and urgent reminder of what’s really important, and it’s those influences that The Bouncing Souls kept in mind when making their new record, as the band explain below.
With the record out today via Pure Noise you can order it here. Below, the band shares a few influences on their sound.
Greg Attonito: Our fans/Patreons
I would like to acknowledge the 10 people who joined us through our Patreon and gave a little slice of themselves to make this record what it is. We had some meaningful conversations and some much needed laughs via Zoom during those socially restrictive lockdown times. I also want to mention the process that went into creating the songs was way different for us than how we’ve made records in the past. In the beginning we really weren’t sure if we would be able to create a song just from a Zoom chat…as we went along and had some success we were really empowered by the process we all created together. That felt great.
Bryan Kienlen: Will Yip, The Kinks
I’d like to give a whole bunch of credit to Will Yip, because working with Will brings out the very best in each of us in the studio—the vibe is so positive that the creativity just flows out. Also a big shout out to The Kinks; of course always for musical inspiration, but specifically for harmonies. It’s funny, all these years later we’ve accepted harmonies into our songs! And it’s mostly inspired by the way brothers Ray and Dave Davies sing together.
George Rebelo: Lockdown
Writing these songs through a global pandemic was one of the only things that kept me sane. It gave me purpose as the world shut down and I was able to remember how it was before.
Pete Steinkopf: Our friends/fans
The thing that stuck out to me making this record was the connection it enabled us all to have with each other and the people we wrote these songs about. In a very separated world we really channeled that spirit of togetherness that the Souls are all about. And I wanna shout out our buddy Jake Szufnarowski for the idea that became “Back to Better.” At the beginning of the pandemic I was chatting with him about the possible world after COVID and he used the term “back to better” to describe the future. That sums up his positivity and loving nature. Thanks, Jake!
