Slothrust’s take on the 1958 hit ‘Splish Splash’ is just a good, old time; the band plays to their strengths by just relishing the boisterous doo-wop energy of the original yet mixing it up with their signature sass and bite.

The gender reversal works wonders, inserting some instant rock & roll chaos into the tune while showing off lead singer Leah Wellbaum’s thunderous, versatile vocal ability. The cover is off their latest EP Peach, which is due to be released on 25th October via DangerRecords. While Slothrust’s version certainly places the Bobby Darin classic into a modern context, it also honors the jazz and classic rock-inspired genre stylings that made the former into such a staple song of the fifties. The best artists do not just incorporate their personal creative insights into an old favorite; they preserve the elements of the former that allowed it to garner the fandom it did, and then bring their unique voice and perspective into the composition and subsequent change of production. 

Speaking on why the band decided to go with this particular song, they said, “Two of my favorite things in the world are music and bath time. There are no words that can express the massive reset button that gets pressed in my mind and body when I take a good bath. When I'm in the tub, it's a time to reconnect and enjoy my deeper self, and Bobby Darin's version of this special, sudsy moment offers exactly that... but with a plot twist. Even though I wouldn't necessarily be psyched for a dance party to be going on right outside of my bathroom while I'm trying to take it easy, I certainly do love singing about it on this cover."

The band may have just been formed a little less than ten years ago but their sound summons the juicy, roaring sixties and seventies: the age of the greasy-haired punk, the alcohol-soaked rock, and the funky-beat jazz. While this cover remains at a short runtime, it still demonstrates why fans should be eager for their upcoming album. Not only are they daring to take risks by delving into the endearing hits from decades gone by, but they are also extending their scope by recording acoustic versions and slow-burn tracks that get at their internal vulnerabilities. A true band is one that evolves and grows over time and Slothrust knows just who they are through this cover. 

UPCOMING TOUR DATES WITH HIGHLY SUSPECT:

10.15 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom

10.17 - Seattle, WA - Neptune Theatre

10.19 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory [Spokane]

10.20 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory [Boise]

10.23 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas

10.24 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren

10.26 - Los Angeles, CA - The Novo DTLA

11.06 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater

11.08 - Madison, WI - The Sylvee

11.09 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre

11.12 - Portsmouth, NH - 3S Artspace

11.13 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall

11.14 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom

11.16 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel

11.19 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore Charlotte

11.20 - Knoxville, TN - Mill & Mine

11.21 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works

11.23 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle Atlanta

 Alt-rock