It’s hard to believe anything worthwhile ever came out of New Jersey, but it happens. However it is rare.
Bouncing Souls formed in 1987 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. They worked on their sound and didn’t release a full album until 1994. They produced another album two years later and that launched them into punk rock stardom. Epitaph Records took notice and signed them in 1997. It took ten years to get national recognition, but they did it.
They’re pretty much a mainstay of any punk rock mixtape or compilation album. You’ll often hear their songs at competition skate boarding and snowboarding events, such as the X Games. Which is probably why their songs are also featured on video games of those sports. They’ve become a part of that culture.
My favorite Bouncing Souls song is Kate Is Great. It’s found on their self-titled debut album with Epitaph Records.