BULLETBOYS – Freakshow (1991) *HQ*

One of the most fun, cool acts emerged from the Californian scene during the second half of the ’80s was without a doubt BULLETBOYS and their self-titled debut album. BULLETBOYS always will be remembered for that first LP.
But… their second, ”Freakshow” is even better, the finest moment of Marq Torien, Mick Sweda & Co. Produced by Ted Templeman (Van Halen) and released in 1991, ”Freakshow” would peak at number 69 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
”Freakshow” never has been reissued as standalone CD. Sure, it’s part of the HNE / Cherry Red 3xCD box set ”The Warner Albums 1988-1993” where has been remastered, but for some reason that remaster altered the record’s original sound. At least for our ears.
So as requested, here’s the original pressing of BULLETBOYS ”Freakshow”, and underrated but pretty killer American melodic hard rock LP.

Hailing from from Los Angeles, BULLETBOYS comprised talented cats. Marq Torien (Vocals) is one of those guys that has been around the block when it comes to bands as he was once a guitarist in Ratt (before they were signed), Hawk, and King Kobra before taking over vocal duties for the Bulletboys.
Mick Sweda (Guitar) and Lonnie Vincent (Bass) were in King Kobra before leaving to join Bulletboys along with Torien. Jimmy D’Anda (Drums) is the only member that auditioned for the band.

Why it took three years between their debut and ”Freakshow” is anyone’s guess — perhaps these things are better left for a documentary-length special on the band — but ”Freakshow” alters things a bit stylistically when compared to their first record. Many things have remained the same: the blues-driven, scale shredding guitar work, fun lyrics, and catchy choruses – however songwritng is more consistent, mature.

‘Hell Yeah!’ is an opener to get your blood pumping, bluesy and rocking. They keep the sleazy like bluesy like riffs going for next track ‘THC Groove’ with a nice bass riff that drives the song. I think you can figure out what the lyrics are about to this one. ‘Thrill That Kills’ is definitely a harder edged track all about finding that Thrill that will probably kill you eventually.
Next is the cover of the Tom Waits track ‘Hang On St. Christopher’. BULLETBOYS had a huge hit with this cover. They definitely hard rocked it up to their standards.

‘Talk To Your Daughter’ is another cover on a prettry obscure soung of Chicago blues legend J.B. Lenoir that the band modifies and does an amazing job with. The title track is next and it builds up with very good arrangements before it launches forward, but like many tracks before it, it has that bluesy tinge to it.
The intro to ‘Goodgirl’ is sleazed up just right with that guitar riff and Torien rocks the mic like a rebellious leader almost like Paul Stanley in All Hell’s Breakin Loose.

‘Ripping Me’ kicks off a part of the album that is truly rocking where if you want that hard rock, this is it and they do it with a Van Halen like edge to it. The track seems to be talking about addiction or at least that is what I get from it. ‘Say Your Prayers’ is one of my favortie tracks on the record as it opens with a cool drum beat very reminiscent of an Ozzy drum riff from No Rest For The Wicked album. The song is definitely the most heavier from the track list, and a winner.
‘O Me O My’ is another groovin’ track that shows off the band’s rock wild side and it features a cool guitar solo. The last track on the CD is ‘Huge’, and has a slow build up with D’Anda hitting the hi-hat before Sweda comes right in to kick it into overdrive. The lyrics are very simple because they are just chanting, “Do you have the balls” so it’s a showcase for the band fun delivery.

The track listing for the album is going to be different no matter where you look because it has been released in multiple ways. Even on the back cover print is different. Btw, the artwork in the booklet is awesome.
We truly believe that musically this was the BULLETBOYS’ best record, but always felt it was overshadowed by the self titled.
Highly Recommended

01 – Hell Yeah!
02 – Thc Groove
03 – Thrill That Kills
04 – Hang on St. Christopher
05 – Talk To Your Daughter
06 – Freakshow
07 – Goodgirl
08 – Do Me Raw
09 – Ripping Me
10 – Say Your Prayers
11 – O Me O My
12 – Huge

Marq Torien: Lead Vocals
Mick Sweda: Guitar, Vocas
Lonnie Vencent: Bass, Vocals
Jimmy D’Anda: Drums
with:
Bobby LaKind: Congas on ‘Hang on St. Christopher’

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amazon.com/Freakshow-Bulletboys-1991-08-02/dp/B01KAVATLI/