Splash Bones – Fresh Out Of The Fridge
Rumble Records – RUMBCD017 [1992]
Just Don’t Know – Get Out Of My Way – Possesed – Don’t Worry About Tomorrow – Is This Love – Insane – Spys & Suckers – Matilda – Just One Kiss – My Baby Takes Acid – Blooddrunk – Live To Sweat – Pink Panther Theme
Among the young bands who were quickly signed and who sometimes found themselves releasing an album too early, Splash Bones are far from being the worst.
Hailing from Dortmund, Germany, Splash Bones consisted of Chopper (guitar and vocals), Rainer (double bass) and Hegger (drums).
In 1993, the trio released their first and only album Fresh out of the Fridge, for Rumble Records. Splash Bones played a light and fairly classic psychobilly with a double bass and drums well up front. Above all, the Psychobilly played by Splash Bones is not cut off from its Rockabilly roots as shown by the excellent guitar part of Just One Kiss.
As was typical of the 1990s, some “metal” influences can sometimes be heard in the guitar, but they remain quite discreet and blend rather intelligently with the rest.
There is also a desire to create different atmospheres, with jerky rhythms sometimes close to Scannerz, as on Possessed.
On the other hand, they are a little less convincing on tracks relying solely on energy, mainly due to a voice that lacks confidence.
As for covers, there’s a solid version of the Pink Panther Theme—which strikes the right balance between rock ’n’ roll and the jazzy vibe of the original—as well as a fun take on Matilda, the calypso song by Harry Belafonte.
Splash Bones split in 1994.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis
