Review Fix Exclusive: Bowling For Soup Frontman Jaret Reddick Talk Blue October “HRSA” Cover And More

Review Fix chats with Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick, who discusses the band’s decision to cover Blue October’s “HRSA” and more.

Review Fix: Why cover HRSA?

Jaret Reddick: We met Blue October many, many years ago. Both bands are from Texas. We played shows together (I have a great story about a Yogi Bear cookie jar that I will save for another time). Then toured together. Then ended up with the same management company, that we still both share. Most importantly, we became friends…Family if you will. 

I always loved their music. But I think it was from as much of a curiosity standpoint, as it was just liking what I was hearing. And maybe that is why they are as successful as they are. The combination of both is something you just don’t find everywhere in music…Especially today. 

You see, Justin, the singer/ songwriter, got committed. It is his story to tell, but I will say that there was a girl involved. And some back stabbing. And then substances, depression, custody battles, anxiety…sorry… The song “HRSA” is a true story. I think I was about 25 when I sat, sharing a bottle of Jack Daniels with Justin, in a shitty hotel room, while we were both on tour supporting Sponge (The USA one…Not the UK one…That is Spünge). I asked him about the man in the song. And the nuns that prayed for him. I listened to all of it and I was fucking fascinated! This was REAL! Like, REALLY real! 

Review Fix: What do you think makes your version a special one?

Reddick: I don’t know if it is really special. But we kept to the basic structure of the song,…And the guitars sound incredible!

Review Fix: What does it feel like to be at the point in your career where you have the freedom to do cool covers like this?

Reddick: It isn’t just where our career is…It is where music is now. Content is king and people don’t give a shit about an entire CD anymore…So just being able to do a cover song and expose people to music they may not have heard before is super fun. I like where the industry is now. 

Review Fix: What has the reception been like for the current tour?

Reddick: Unreal. Bigger numbers than we have done in 15 years. We are loving it! 

Review Fix: Do you still get excited to tour?

Reddick: I do. I get anxious about missing my wife, kids and dogs…And my couch. But I love being with my boys and doing what we do. 

Review Fix: What’s next for the band?

Reddick: More music! MUCH more music coming in 2020! In fact, I can’t even keep it straight! SO MUCH!  And some shows! 

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

Reddick: Just a huge thank you for everyone that continues to support our band. 25 years is a long time, and we don’t take it for granted! 

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13819 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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