Bowling for Soup at Rex; Istanbul Sofra Offers Dining Park-side (Mon., 4/3/17)

1) “Bruce Springsteen! Madonna! Way before Nirvana!” So begins the chorus to “1985,” and so explains how millions of listeners, many of them born well after the titular year, became nostalgic for the mid-’80s in 2004. Pop-punk group SR-71 may have written the song, but it was Bowling for Soup’s version that was all over the very same MTV that BFS frontman Jaret Reddick chides within the lyrics. The song also appears on 2004’s A Hangover You Don’t Deserve. For over 20 years, Reddick has performed some smart-as-a-whip hits, including “High School Never Ends” and “Girl All the Bad Guys Want.” When he’s not playing in BFS, he tours solo. He also plays in Love Händel, the fictional band featured on the Disney Channel animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” BFS’s latest album is 2016’s Drunk Dynasty, and they play the Rex Theater this month. Runaway Kids and Direct Hit open. 7:30 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. (CM)

2) Spring has sprung so stop by Istanbul Sofra, a welcome addition to that colorful culinary corner on South Braddock and Forbes across from Frick Park. Seinfeld’s Kenny Bania would proclaim their lentil soup the best, Jerry, the best. The falafels, hummus, and kebabs are also hard to beat.  Additionally cool: BYOB; outdoor seating and cay. That last item is pronounced “chai,” but don’t confuse it with those sugary lattés from Starbucks. A dark red tea, cay comes in tulip-shaped glasses and is a symbol of Turkish hospitality. Top off your meal with some Turkish coffee and baklava. 7600 Forbes Ave., Regent Square. (CM)

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