The Bombpops have plenty to celebrate. With an awesome debut album under their belt, a new EP, their own beer and being part of the 20th Anniversary of Punk Rock Bowling in Vegas. Their dual female vocals combined with a melodic throwback to the 90’s pop punk sound have made The Bompops one of our favourite new discoveries. Currently touring Europe we were lucky enough to chat with vocalist/guitarist Jen Razavi to learn more about the band and she gives us some tips on surviving Punk Rock Bowling.

SCENEzine
Firstly we would like to apologise for only just discovering The Bombpops but we are so glad we did! Fear of Missing out is such a great album you must be proud of how it turned out?

Jen Razavi
Better late than never, right?! Thank you! Yeah, we’re pretty proud of how it turned out. We’re Influenced by many different facets of pop punk and I think that kind of
shows on the record. We really had the best time recording it too.

SCENEzine
One of our favourite tracks is “CA in July” how did that one come about in the writing process?

Jen Razavi
Well, it’s definitely an autobiographical tune. It’s about falling in love while you’re drunk and high. You’re really not sure if it’s just a thing that happens in the moment or if it will turn into something meaningful. It’s about falling in love but also protecting your heart at the same time. July in California is beautiful, it’s the height of summer, it’s what we live for as Californians. But it’s also fire season and California is prone to destructive fires in the summer. So the line “CA in July” is a metaphor for something beautiful and dangerous at the same time.

 

 

SCENEzine
What’s it like being part of the Fat Wreck Chords family?

Jen Razavi
It feels like home! We’re huge fans of Fat bands, past and present. Erin and Mike and the whole Fat crew are the best people to work with. It’s literally a dream come true for us.

SCENEzine
How did the idea for the new EP Dear Beer come about? And being that Australian’s love beer we would like to commend you on releasing your own beer.

Jen Razavi
We wanted to put out something to hold us over until we record our next full length. We felt these songs would be a good bridge between Fear of Missing Out and what we do next.
And thank you! Southern California has a pretty strong craft beer scene going on and we’re really happy to work with Amplified Ale Works on the beer.

SCENEzine
Also we just wanted to check in and make sure you guys are all still friends after the “Dear Beer” video shoot?

Jen Razavi
Haha yeah we’re all friends. Being in a band is like being in a romantic relationship with multiple other people. You have to take into account their feelings, their worries and when shit hits the fan it feels like the end of the world. Being in a band is a labor of passion and that’s not always easy. We have a lot invested in each other and sometimes we get on each other’s nerves when we don’t meet each other’s expectations. At the end of the day, the show goes on and we come away from a band fight stronger than we were before.

 

 

SCENEzine
Speaking of beer there’s a new craze at Australian concerts where the crowd will yell out “do a shoey” then one of the band members on stage has to chug a beer from a shoe. Would any of The Bombpops ever do a shoey?

Jen Razavi
Fuck. So nasty. I’m gonna go ahead and say everyone in my band would do one, except me.

SCENEzine
Soon you will be playing an after show for Punk Rock Bowling with Lagwagon. Are you excited to be a part of it?

Jen Razavi
Fuck yeah! We’re so pumped for that show. Lagwagon is one of our favorite bands! That whole lineup is pretty epic.

SCENEzine
We are actually headed over to Punk Rock Bowling. Do you have any tips for surviving the festival?

Jen Razavi
Nice! That festival is so much fun but Vegas is just so gnarly. You’re pretty much partying at all hours of the day/night. I try to make it to bed before the sunrise, but I can’t speak for the rest of my band. I always load up on vitamin C and Vitamin B before I hit a festival like that, boost up the immune system while you can.

SCENEzine
Lastly is there any plans in the future to bring The Bombpops to Australia?

Jen Razavi
No immediate plans, but it’s been something we have always wanted to do. We hope to make that happen soon!

(interview by Christian Ross)