Also requested, here’s the quite rare SKIN & BONES second effort 1992’s Madhouse“, produced & released by themselves, their final work before split.
After the release of their glammy hard rock debut album ‘Not A Pretty Sight’, which sold pretty well especially in Japan and Germany but suffered from logistic distribution in America, SKIN & BONES’ manager anyway secured a tour across the United States supporting KIX.
In 1992 the band added to the line up talented Finnish guitarist / back up singer Jay Lewis (ex Princess Pang) and recorded a new set of songs, self-produced and self-distributed.
Titled “Madhouse” and adding the ‘NYC’ to their name (Skin & Bones N.Y.C.), the songwriting again included involvement from Vini Poncia, but this time SKIN & BONES’ sound & style turned a bit more straight hard rock with some Saigon Kick similarity.
As bonus track, “Madhouse” features a live recording of Queen’s classic ‘Stone Cold Crazy’ taped at The Cat Club in 1991, with very good sound quality and a proof of how hottie this band was on stage.
By 1993 singer Johnny Vamp was offered an invitation to Los Angeles to write and sing for television and motion picture soundtracks. These credits include songs written for The Heights, a FOX Network hit in 1993, and major motion pictures, West From North Goes South, and Hell High. Hence, SKIN & BONES split.
Vamp released various solo albums since, founding member guitarist Jimi K. Bones continued in the music business, while Jay Lewis returned to Finland performing with various bands (most recently Circus Of Rock).
While “Madhouse” was later reissued into a compilation CD in 2003, the sound quality is horrible. This is a much better version from the original tapes / release. Rare.
Highly Recommended
01 – Madhouse
02 – Hellraiser
03 – Mr. Downtown
04 – Cheap Thrills
05 – So Far Away
06 – Stone Cold Crazy (Live) [Queen cover]
Johnny Vamp – Lead Vocals
Jimi K. Bones – Guitar, Vocals
Steve Mach – Bass
Jay Lewis – Guitar, Vocals
Walter Earl – Drums
Tish, Snooky – Backing Vocals