Chirpy Texans plan to bowl over fans
This time they come armed with their latest long player Sorry for Partyin', which features some of the funniest, most infectious songs of the band's 15-year career.
"I felt like our last album was really rushed, but we have taken our time on this one," Jaret explains.
"But the subject matter hasn't changed; we still sing about having a good time. We still want to be the band whose CD you play to cheer you up when you're having a bad day – and suddenly you're having a good day."
The chunky quartet (Jaret refers to the band as "four fatties from Denton, Texas") first got together in 1994 and now attract a diverse audience, from pop-loving kids to ageing metal heads and punk veterans. They actively defy any pigeon-holing demanded by record labels and remain resolutely on the path to happiness.
The Grammy- and Emmy-nominated outfit have more than a million album sales to their credit worldwide. But after their last full-on tour in 2007, they were in need of a bit of a break.
"We'd been touring solidly for 13 years and we were all pretty tired," says Jaret. "The previous four or five years had been more or less non-stop.
"We were still in each others' lives, on the phone and texting, but we were refreshed by that break."
Jaret found himself "growing another arm" on the stand-up improvisational comedy circuit, while taking the opportunity to spend lots of time with his wife and two children.
"Jack is three now and Emma is six. It's pretty exciting times now in their little lives. It is really hard to leave them," he says.
"I've had a year at home and I was able to be there to pick Emma up from kindergarten every afternoon. I'm a real hands-on dad. Their life at home is really structured. They are both really, really into music. Emma loves dancing and soccer."
Jaret says he always knew he would become a family man – it's the longevity of his music career that has come as a surprise.
"Fifteen years ago I never thought I would still be in this band 15 years later, playing music for a living. I am very blessed and very, very lucky," he says. "I try to work hard and make sure everyone around me is happy."
The frontman admits that when the guys get on a tour bus together, insanity ensues as soon as the doors are closed. It's all about beer and jokes and funny films.
"It's like we are 19-year-old college kids again," he says. "We mostly drink light, refreshing beers, but if we hit the tequila shots it's trouble. The hangovers are worse now we're 35, but we are still doing fine. We take a little vitamin cocktail and down vanilla milkshakes."
They still love their grub, but try to eat more sensibly: "It's easier to be restrained in England. We like to find ourselves a nice Italian and go in for some soup. In Texas, everything is big," laughs Jaret. "You get a steak and it's the size of a plate."
Bowling for Soup play at Exeter Great Hall on Monday, October 26. For tickets call the box office on 01392 263518 or visit www.exeterboxoffice.com or www.seetickets.com. Support comes from Zebrahead.
