Even in the big year of 2025, one perennial question remains: are Bowling for Soup bowling to earn soup, or bowling on behalf of soup? That shall remain one of life's great mysteries — however, the pop-punk crew have announced that founding guitarist Chris Burney is retiring from the band.
After Burney had temporarily taken a step back from some touring commitments last summer due to an injury [via NME], Bowling for Soup shared a statement on Instagram confirming that he is permanently retiring.
"Some recent medical developments, 30 years of rocking balls and touring non-stop have made it difficult to continue," they wrote. "We are bummed to not have Chris by our sides, but absolutely support his decision."
The Texas-formed group went on, "The three of us [vocalist-guitarist Jaret Reddick, drummer Gary Wiseman and bassist Rob Felicetti] will carry on, with Chris's blessing, and continue to build the legacy of this band we all love so much. We will not be replacing Chris or touring with a touring guitarist. You cannot replace a legend. We were brothers when we started this journey… and brothers we remain."
Burney co-founded the band alongside Reddick 1994, and their most recent album of new material remains 2023's Don't Mind If We Do. See the statement from Bowling for Soup below.