2025 Splish Splash Bash. 17 Bands w/Middle-Out, The Boy Detective, B-Plot and more.
Middle-Out and The Boy Detective - All photos courtesy of Paul Holstein.
Splish Splash Bash is an annual charity event run by Chris and Sarah Van Assche (from Pick It Up Media). Ska, punk, and swimming at a backyard house party in Hazel Park, Michigan. There were 17 bands plus two DJs and a Little Caesar’s food truck, for a donation that went to Punk Rock Saves Lives and Food Not Class. The weather had been forecasting rain and heat all week, so the storm moving in was not a surprise. Fortunately, at least for me, the storm was supposed to hit around 1:45, and I was planning to come later for B-Plot, The Boy Detective, Painted Graves, and Middle-Out. I arrived closer to 4:00, and while the rain was gone, the heat and humidity were not. Since this was a Splish Splash Bash, no one seemed to notice. Even the people not in the pool were getting splashed by kids and doused by water guns no matter where they stood.
I arrived in time to catch Ken's Soup and mingle with the crowd (a who's who of the Detroit ska punk scene and Michigan ska group). There were two stages to keep everything moving along smoothly (each with their own sound "guy"), but checking the set times that were originally posted, they were about 30 minutes behind because of the earlier rain.
B-Plot
Oddly, my favorite song by B-Plot is "Plot B," which has no words other than Oi! Oi! Oi! The last time I saw them, they didn't play it, and when I mentioned it to them at the merch table, they said they would play it next time. True to their word, when I walked up, it was 5th on their set list. They played an incredible set that both included "Plot B" and ended with members of The Boy Detective coming up to join them for a song. Adult-sized water guns and 10-year-old moshers also kept things going.
The Boy Detective
The Boy Detective
The party was in full swing now, with The Boy Detective up next. They were the main draw for me, and they didn't disappoint. The set saw singer Benny Capaul climbing up the trampoline and the sax player playing from the pool deck. They continued with their usual antics that included the sax player heading to the pit on Benny's shoulders, a song where the band lies down in a pile with most of the audience, and bringing out the giant "Michigan Ska” banner. They were having a blast, and the crowd followed suit. Middle-Out followed them with a great set as well, which ended with both bands playing a song together. A great time was had by all, and I'm already looking forward to next year.
Middle-Out
