Images: The Bouncing Souls (acoustic) May 28, 2017 at the Rush Lounge (Punk Rock Bowling)

With club show running past two in the morning, I never really expect massive turnouts for the early morning gigs. So I was surprised – pleasantly so – when I showed up to the Bouncing Souls acoustic brunch performance to find a packed lounge (and no brunch. Where’s my French toast?).

Frontman Greg Attonito and guitarist Pete “The Pete” Steinkopf were ready to start early but their best laid plans to avoid punk time were thwarted by a lack of microphones. The mic arrivals at 10 past twelve elicited cheers, cheers that were quickly drowned out by the crowd singing along to “Lean on Sheena.”

Unfortunately, the PA was either severely underpowered or turned up 10 notches under eleven, so the crowd singing was about all that could be heard of the acoustic duo from the back. The general blips and cheers of the casino and lounge muzak that never turned off made it near impossible to hear favorites like “Quick Check Girl” from anywhere but the very front.

Still, the lucky few within earshot had a great start to their day (Greg’s soaring vocals sound tailor made for the acoustic setting), which will culminate in a full band Bouncing Souls performance on the Punk Rock Bowling mainstage this evening.

-Emily Matview | https://www.flickr.com/photos/holdfastnow/