Attonito and Pete Steinkopf (guitar), Bryan Kienlen (bass) and Michael McDermott (drums) are bringing their steady mix of punk, pop and hardcore to Asia, appearing in Australia and Japan and tonight in Hong Kong for the first time at the Warehouse in Aberdeen.

'We met when we were kids in our home town of Basking Ridge, New Jersey,' says Attonito. 'We shared a rebellious attitude and love for music. We just starting playing cover songs at parties and enjoyed having a good time our way. We haven't really stopped since then. We're still playing in our high-school band, but now we'll be playing in China. How cool is that!'

But the band that took their name from Dr Martens boots' slogan wouldn't be where they are without a steady output of rock-solid punk records. Their 1994 album, The Good, the Bad and the Argyle, in particular, provided the soundtrack to many a US teenager's life. The punk spirit is definitely there, but a sense of humour is obviously also important to the Bouncing Souls.

'We want to feel good in a world that can beat you down,' says Attonito. 'We bring some genuine spirit to our music that feels good. People keep coming back because it feels good. That's why we keep coming back.

'When music is good it can move your heart and soul. As a group we check to see if the music is giving us chills. Is it moving us to our souls? If it is then maybe it will do the same to someone else. We write about what we feel, and we make the music live and breathe.'

As the Bouncing Souls have grown, so too have the boundaries of their subject matter, tackling more mature themes than many of their peers. 'We choose to make a political statement by how we live,' says Attonito. 'Everything you do is political. The shoes you're wearing are a political statement. We live how we feel is right for us. That's a big political statement right there.'

The band's latest release is a double-disc live set of their greatest hits, Bouncing Souls Live, which Attonito says 'is a great summary of the Bouncing Souls show over the past 10 years'.

'We started as a live band playing basements, bars, parties and clubs to anyone who cared. Over the years, we've made records, toured the world, met so many people and created countless memories together. Through it all, the live show has remained the essence of the Bouncing Souls. We tried to capture that essence with this collection. It's dedicated to everyone who has been there along the way to share it with us.'

Of all their live shows, Attonito says his favourite Bouncing Souls gig was their first. 'That was just as great as opening up for Green Day at Wembley Arena in England. I might have even been more excited about our first show.'

The next studio album, The Gold Record, is being released in June on Epitaph Records, which has an enviable stable of punk rock bands such as Bad Religion, Green Day and Rancid, and has put out releases by less-abrasive outfits including Blackalicious and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

'We're all pushing ourselves a little harder this time, cross-examining our songs and holding them to a higher standard,' says Attonito. 'I can't wait for the world to hear this one. It's special.'

After 16 years of living the punk rock life, how do the Bouncing Souls maintain their momentum? 'Everybody has their own way of keeping up the energy,' says Attonito.

'If you decide to get old you're going to get old. If you decide you're going to grow up without getting old you can do it. That's what we strive for in life.

'It's not so easy sometimes, but we care enough about each other to make it work. There are clashes at times and we all make the best of it. We try not to harbour angry feelings about the past and allow the present to be what it is.'

Does he have any advice for aspiring punk rockers? 'Do what feels right to your heart. That will lead you not to the place you think you want to be, but where you want to be.'

Bouncing Souls with Milkshake 7 and King Ly Chee, tonight, the Warehouse, 116 Aberdeen Main Rd, Aberdeen, $120. Inquiries: 9057 7653