Splatterheads were an Australian punk rock band, which formed in 1987. They issued three albums, Ink of a Mad Man's Pen (1989), Bot, the Album (1993) and Joined at the Head (1996), before disbanding in 1996. They re-united in 2010 to perform and released a compilation album, Splatter Platter.
Splatterheads | |
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| Also known as | Lompoc County Splatterheads |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Years active | 1987–1996, 2010–2012 |
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History
editSplatterheads were formed in 1987 as a punk rock band, Lompoc County Splatterheads, by Adrian Carroll on guitar, Simon "Sly" Faulkner (a.k.a. Sly T-Bone) on guitar and vocals, Christo Fletcher (a.k.a. Big Guy) on vocals and guitar, Micky Scott on drums and Peter "PT" Thompson on bass guitar.[1] Fletcher, Scott and Thompson shared a house together in Surry Hills when they decided to start a band.[2] They soon recruited Carroll and Faulkner.[2] "Lompoc County" references Lompoc, California and its appearances in American cartoon TV series Roger Ramjet, where the title character describes "local louts as a bunch of 'Splatter heads'."[1][2] They released a seven-track mini-album, The Filthy Mile, in 1988.[1] When Carroll left, they shortened their name to Splatterheads.[1]
The group's debut album, Ink of a Mad Man's Pen (October 1989), appeared on Waterfront, which was produced and engineered by former member, Carroll.[1] Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane described their "rough-hewn, low-fi" work, which "presented some frantic moments, but failed to capture the band's live firepower."[1] It provided a single, "Destroyer", with its "free-jazz explorations" reminiscent of Fun House-era the Stooges.[1] The quartet issued their cover version of the Undertones' "Teenage Kicks" (1992).[1] They toured to Melbourne supporting fellow punk band, Bored and became that group's label mates when they were signed with Dog Meat.[1]
Splatterheads recorded their next album, Bot, the Album (August 1993), with co-producers John Nolan (of Bored) and Joel Silbersher.[1] Before it appeared Scott was replaced on drums by Marty "Bungle" Herbert.[1] McFarlane found it, "closer to being a truer representation of their overall sound."[1] From February 1995 the four-piece undertook a European tour supporting American bands NOFX, Lagwagon, Weezer and Big Chief.[1] During that tour they recorded their performances for a live album, Joined at the Head (August 1996), which was issued via German-based label, Subway.[1] Upon return to Australia, Faulkner relocated to Melbourne and Splatterheads disbanded.[3]
Splatterheads reformed in 2010 and appeared at Sydney Fringe Festival.[4] They released a compilation of 1990s live performances, Splatter Platter (2010). The line-up of Faulkner, Fletcher and Herbert were joined by Matt Oliver on bass guitar and performed in September 2012.[2]
Members
edit- Adrian Carroll – guitar
- Simon "Sly" Faulkner (a.k.a. Sly T-Bone) – guitar, vocals
- Christo Fletcher (a.k.a. Big Guy) – vocals, guitar
- Micky Scott – drums
- Peter "PT" Thompson – bass guitar
- Marty "Bungle" Herbert – drums
- Matt Oliver – bass guitar
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Ink of a Mad Man's Pen (October 1989) Waterfront – (DAMP 120)
- Bot, the Album (August 1993) – Dog Meat (DOG 054)[5]
- Joined at the Head (1996) – Subway (7192218 WM 331)
Compilation albums
edit- Splatterheads (1992) – Dog Meat (DOG 039 CD)[6]
- Splatter Platter (2010)
Extended plays
edit- The Filthy Mile (1988) – Splatter Rock (SR01)
Singles
edit- "Destroyer" (1990)
- "Teenage Kicks" (1992)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Splatterheads'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004.
- ^ a b c d Kirra (18 September 2012). "Artist – Chris Fletcher". This Is Northern New South Wales. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Kailas (31 October 2011). "Splatterheads - Interview". Trebuchet Magazine. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Splatterheads / Hell Crab City / Hytest". Sydney Fringe Festival. 2010. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Splatterheads (1993), Bot the Album, Dog Meat, retrieved 14 May 2024
- ^ Splatterheads (1992), Splatterheads, Dog Meat, retrieved 14 May 2024