Nottingham group 1983-87

Ian Gillott: Lead Guitar & Vox
Gary Holmes: Drums & Vox
Colin Murden: Bass & Vox
Simon Taylor: Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vox

All images from the Splashing Giants facebook group.

Splash were a Nottingham based group formed around 1983 who initially played the club circuit. Originally known as “Burnt Oak”, lead vocalist Simon Taylor was the son of British Rock and Roll legend Vince Eager, Grantham born and raised but with a strong association with Nottingham. Vince (Roy Taylor) managed Splash! and helped get them into the limelight. Malcolm Clark from Broughton was also a spokesman for the group in the early days and “the Broughton firm” would follow the group far and wide taking two coach loads of fans the the Scunthorpe “Rock Open” in 1984.

Vince Eager also managed another group formed in 1985 called “Catherine Wheel” who would support Splash! at gigs. Catherine Wheel were:
Andy Stevenson: Vocals
Tony Wallis: Lead Guitar & Vocals
Steve Thorpe: Keyboards
Clive Murdon: Drums
Chris Taylor: Bass.

Chris was also Vince Eagers son and had previously been in a band called “Sudden Impact”.

Writing their own songs and winning a battle of the bands at Rock City, Nottingham in 1984 Splash! garnered interest from E.M.I, Arista and Island Records, recorded a Janice Long Radio One session at Maida Vale and made a T.V appearance on Central TV show Popwatch. Gigging extensively, touring with Big Dish, they played a few shows at the Marquee but after not achieving a record deal they changed the line up with Chris Taylor joining on Bass Guitar and adding Keyboards (which may have been Steve Thorpe) renaming themselves “Kicking Giants” but by the end of the eighties they disbanded. All the band members carried on making music in some form or another.

The other groups in the “Rock City” battle of the bands in 1984, organised by Radio Nottingham, were Ssurrea, Tropical Blue, The Untouchables, Amoco I Am and Big Dream.

Simon Taylor has a website here

Splash! on Popwatch

and a facebook group here

NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS

1984

1985

1986