"Histories, like ancient ruins, are the fictions of empire. While everything forgotten hangs in dark dreams of the past, ever threatening to return" (Velvet Goldmine)
Sparkling Bombs appeared in 2001 somewhere between an unknown galaxy and the East of France. Even though the bands influences (New York Dolls, Manic Street Preachers, Sex Pistols, etc.) mostly belong to the past, the Sparkling Bombs decided to celebrate the rebirth of glitter in a modern way.
Their first and introductory 5 song CD From Bubblegum Fun To Glittered Depression (United Musics Company distribution) was released in summer 2002.
These glamorous Bombs are keeping the trashy sexy romantic glam rock flame alive and already shared stages with bands as various as the New York Dolls, The Offspring, Louis XIV, Nashville Pussy, Junkyard, American Heartbreak, The Fuzztones, Kill The Young, Peppermint Creeps, Walter Lure (The Heartbreakers), The Bellrays, Sin City Sinners, Trashcan Darlings, Rebel Rebel etc.
In 2003, the Sparkling Bombs hit the road with the immortal Lords of The New Church for the French leg of their ultimate resurrection tour.
The first full-length CD of the band untitled Dead Dreams From The Silver Gutter (Musicast distribution) was officially released in September 2004 and has often been described in the worldwide media as an elegant mix of dark glam rock and catchy pop tunes with incisive punk rocknroll guitars.
Year 2006 - After various appearances on several compilations and tribute albums (Dead Boys, Fuzztones, Hollywood Teasze) as well as a tour with Peter Pan Speedrock the Sparkling Bombs leave for a first UK tour where they notice a never-growing interest for the band.
Late November, the band releases a new CD untitled Diamond Skin, 7 songs filled with power pop, boogie and hard rock'n'roll touches.
After a second UK tour in summer 2007 and more shows in Germany, France and Italy, the Sparkling Bombs finally fly out to the USA in July 2008 completing a successful West Coast tour.
Spray Paint Prayers, the second full-length CD of the Bombs was released in September 2009 by Nicotine records.
"Who said Glam Rock was all looks and no substance?! Sparkling Bombs are a class act in a world of wannabes and pretenders." (TrashPit magazine.)
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SWINGING THE HEARTACHES IN THE SPARK CARNIVAL!
WOW! Hey, kids, rock'n'roll! I'm sorry to confess that America does not have bands this good, anymore. The SPARKLING BOMBS are tantalizingly alive, French glamsters, bubblegum-sinners, with total power-pop hearts, exceptional guitar heroics, and a glossy, new wave sheen. I never expected a new band like this, to be so sexy, so groovy, so utterly listenable. This is fabulous radio music from another time. Lush, spooky, synth pop songcraft from the late night bar. Really catchy, sweet, gum smacking, heartbreaking music with poetic imagery about innocence corrupted, poisoned love, pop culture kidnapped, the decay of the after hours lifestyle, nostalgia for an opium dream of "Velvet Goldmine" color, drama, sedition, and romantic danger.
I love the fey, sleazy vocals-beautiful harmonies, some lyrics cadged from my ole faves, Flesh For Lulu.I think I hear glints of Imperial Drag, Bowie, Adam Ant's plastic-glam, retro-punk hits like, "Vive Le Rock", Morrissey, Psychedelic Furs, and all the sugary, one hit, keyboard bands from the new romantic era.
Duran Duran should take SPARKLING BOMBS on tour! This is WAY better than the big-budgeted Killers, or Dandy Warhols. I like Sparkling Bombs a lot more than the theatrical, nineties glamsters, from the Brit-Pop era-like Suede, and Placebo, too. Deliciously hedonistic glitter pop, you'll find yourself listening to "Spraypaint Prayers", again and again. Younger people tuned in to the T.Rex frequency, will love playing these songs while they primp in the mirror, sipping fruity cocktails, applying their eyeliner, getting ready to go to the niteclub.
Guitarist Lady Bittersweet's a glamtastic femme fatale.Their stylish drummer Laurent, has impeccable taste in real rock'n'roll, and oversees one of the hippest fanzines, on-line, Veglam Dot Com, covering the trashy glam, and sleaze punk underground, worldwide. I don't usually give a shit about new bands, cos so few have anything to offer in the way of intelligence, style, soul, or hot emotion. The last band I loved this much was probably, SILVER. I still groove to their "White Diary" C.D. from five years back, and yeah, I liked a couple of Kaiser Chiefs tunes, but that was already years ago. Sparkling Bombs borrow liberally from many of the top influences-Roxy Music,Queen, Adverts, Marc Almond, but somehow, they make it all seem fresh and vital, again.
Guitar sounds like Marco Pirroni, the Church, Thunders, or even Steve Stevens on the first solo Billy Idol record. Cool, slinky, bass-lines ala Sisters Of Mercy, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, or Lords Of The New Church. Wonderful songwriting, a sleek image. These guys are ready for the Top Of The Pops.
Sparkling Bombs make you wanna immigrate to France. They even throw in an amazing, passionate rendition of Manic Street Preacher's "Motown Junk"! I am honestly, shocked and awed by how boss the Sparkling Bombs are. I was expecting something along the lines of, oh, say, the Soho Dolls, or Nancy Boy, but they exceeded all my expectations with their under-stated, Hanoi Rocks stylishness, wide awake anthems, jaded seductions, and glistening, power-pop excellence! I'd non-chalantly slapped "Spraypaint Prayers" on, as wallpaper music, while I was in the midst of my morning rituals and household chores, but they totally grabbed my attention, sucked me in, and easily won me over. If you liked SILVER, or SEMI-PRECIOUS WEAPONS, you'll likely, love the SPARKLING BOMBS.
(-Geordie Pleathur) (www.sugarbuzzmagazine.com)
