Finally reaching the third installment of live music this week, I head tonight to the Arts Club in Liverpool City Centre. I had been there recently, attending the Russian World Cup troublemakers Pussy Riot. But this evening the performance is set in the smaller and more intimate room up the stairs; Jaret Reddick’s 5 U.K. shows Heartache & Hilarity tour or in other words '‘songs on acoustic and a few stories in between’.

As I get to the room, the Nottingham opening act Lacey has already begun their set and while this is happening I am having great difficulty locating the pit. Finally two young lads assist me to climb over the barrier.

Lacey took time out of the studio where they are currently working on their eagerly awaited second album to tour with Jaret after having previously toured on multiple occasions with Bowling For Soup.

Usually Lacey is an alternative rock in the vein of a souped up Coldplay with the fantastic vocals of Graz Turner, reminding me of an early 80’s Bono, especially on the high notes. Tonight, the songs are obviously sonically taken down a notch with 2 acoustic guitars and drummer David Pearson on a cajon.

The set is kept simple, maybe 5 to 6 songs and pretty boy Graz wastes no time in impressing the crowd alongside some fantastic vocals and harmonies from David. Admittedly, I was standing about a foot away from the stage and my judgment may have been affected but who cares.

The band introduces a few new songs, as yet some untitled, but finishing with the promising ‘Runaway’. Definitely a band to watch out for, if the songs are that good performed at an acoustic show, they can only get better in the studio.

Next up is the American pop punk band/duo The Dollyrots. Wife Kelly Ogden (bass, lead vocals) is having great difficulty concentrating during the first song ‘I do’ , giggling away while husband Luis Cabezas (guitar, backing vocals) stays perplexed as to what is happening. Kelly reveals that the peoples faces in the crowd is the reason for her troubles.

The couple continue to progress through their set without batting an eyelid, the chemistry is for all to see. Sporadically charming Kelly with a smile as wide as the Mersey tells amusing little tales between songs.
’Brand New Key’ would be the highlight of their set for me with its original melody if it wasn’t
for the out of control smoke machine on the left side of the stage and Luis ironically vaping away as Kelly sings '“Breath It In” through the familiar punk number ‘Satellite’.

The duo somehow misfires on the intro of City of Angels and you do have to ask yourself if it was intended or can you still have mishap, not that it mattered or anyone cared.
With shows in London and Glasgow in November already confirmed, The Dollyrots may have additional shows announced in the near future.

Cheerful Jaret Reddick finally appears after a brief interval. Acoustic shows do not require as much time to setup equipment between acts and that is probably a blessing.

In the past, Jaret has done acoustic tours with fellow band member Erik Chandler but this Heartache & Hilarity tour sees him performing the whole Bowling For Soup back catalogue in no particular order, alone with just his Taylor.

It is fascinating to see as the 25 years anniversary of BFS approaches that Jaret with his amusing lyrics and his sense of humour has managed to fill the room to the brim on a Sunday night with the most eclectic crowd you could think of, from the late daring teenager to the puerile pensioner.

Hilarity comes in many flavours. ‘I’m Gay’ is a sure winner as the whole crowd contributes by confirming out loud that they all are happy individuals, or possibly the fact that we are reminded of the similarities between BFS and The Beatles (being 4, good looking and as talented as them).

The supposedly on the spot created song ‘Motherfuckin’ Wetherspoon’ dedicated to the pub chain brings on laughter by the bucket load and so do the following Jaret statements “Why do all English sound like they’re shouting ‘stole my castle'’ or ”I am not charging for giving a mental picture of me fucking your mum’.

The vocals are impeccable on the night, with ‘Turbulence’, Jaret delivers a powerful performance which gets slightly emotional at times. The simple fact that the singer is doing it alone on this tour, playing songs written over a 25 year career span raw and unplugged proves that Jaret and Bowling For Soup may well be as talented as The Beatles.

Words and Photography by Johann Wierzbicki