Savages
Biography
In the grimy underbelly of London's post-punk revival, few bands have wielded noise as a weapon quite like Savages. Formed in 2011 from the ashes of various underground projects, this all-female quartet emerged like a primal scream against the sanitised indie landscape, delivering a sound so visceral it could strip paint from venue walls.
The band's genesis reads like a fever dream of artistic destiny. Jehnny Beth, born Camille Berthomier in France, had been kicking around London's experimental scene when she encountered guitarist Gemma Thompson through mutual connections in the capital's art-rock underground. Thompson, a classically trained musician who'd grown tired of conventional structures, found kinship with Beth's confrontational vision. They recruited bassist Ayse Hassan, whose thunderous low-end had been shaking floors in various punk outfits, and drummer Fay Milton, whose rhythmic brutality completed their sonic assault team.
Savages didn't just play post-punk; they channeled its original fury with an intensity that made their contemporaries look positively tame. Drawing from the well of early Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and Wire, they crafted something that felt both nostalgic and utterly contemporary. Beth's vocals alternated between whispered menace and full-throated roars, while Thompson's guitar work carved angular sculptures from feedback and distortion. This wasn't revival – this was resurrection.
Their early gigs became the stuff of legend. Cramped venues would transform into cauldrons of sweat and electricity, with Beth prowling the stage like a caged animal suddenly freed. The band's manifesto, posted online and at shows, declared their intentions with militant clarity: "The world is full of musicians who can play but have nothing to say." Savages had plenty to say, and they said it at volumes that could wake the dead.
The 2013 debut album "Silence Yourself" landed like a molotov cocktail through the window of complacent indie rock. Produced by Johnny Hostile, the record captured the band's live ferocity while adding layers of sonic sophistication. Tracks like "Husbands" and "She Will" became anthems for a generation hungry for authentic rebellion. The album climbed to number 19 on the UK charts, an impressive feat for such an uncompromising sound, and earned widespread critical acclaim from publications that rarely agreed on anything.
International recognition followed swiftly. The band's reputation as a live force spread across continents, leading to festival slots at Coachella, Primavera, and Reading. They supported Depeche Mode on tour, proving their sound could fill arenas as effectively as basement clubs. Critics began throwing around comparisons to punk's original wave, but Savages transcended mere homage through sheer force of personality and musical innovation.
Their sophomore effort, 2016's "Adore Life," showed a band unafraid to evolve. While maintaining their trademark intensity, they explored themes of love and connection with surprising vulnerability. The title track revealed new dimensions to Beth's vocal range, while Thompson's guitar work incorporated more melodic elements without sacrificing edge. The album demonstrated artistic growth without commercial compromise, a rare achievement in an industry that often demands one or the other.
Beyond their recorded output, Savages became cultural provocateurs. Beth's side projects, including collaborations with Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, showcased her versatility while maintaining her confrontational edge. The band's influence rippled through the underground, inspiring countless groups to embrace noise and negativity as valid artistic expressions.
Their impact extended beyond music into fashion and visual art. The band's stark aesthetic – all black clothing, minimal stage decoration, maximum emotional impact – became a template for authentic punk presentation in an Instagram age. They proved that in a world of manufactured rebellion, genuine article still carried the most power.
Following a hiatus that began around 2017, individual members have pursued various projects, with Beth releasing solo material and Thompson exploring instrumental compositions. While their future as a collective remains uncertain, Savages' legacy as torchbearers for uncompromising artistic vision remains secure. They reminded a generation that rock music could still be dangerous, that post-punk wasn't just a historical curiosity but a living, breathing force capable of challenging both listeners and society itself.
In an era of algorithmic playlists and focus-grouped rebellion, Savages stood as proof that authenticity, however uncomfortable, remains rock's most powerful currency.
