REVIEW:

BLACK TIME - More songs about motorcycles and death 12"
Wrench Records
BLACK TIME / TY SEGALL split 12"
Telephone Explosion

Rumored to be the last Black Time record, the aptly titles "More songs about motorcycles and death" mini LP is perhaps Black Times finest moment. It's an awesome romp down a highway lined with their greatest influences and achievements. Merging KBD punk, Black Flag hc, Pussy Galore noise, Gun Club/Scientists drone into a mix all your own is a feat not many band have managed and definitely not many European bands. This records is a testament to how great Black Time is.

Never got around to reviewing their split with Ty Segall but since it's back in print again it seemed appropriate. Black Time is snottier than ever and sounding a bit more British too I think. Noisy and punky and really great. Really Pussy Galore-y at times. Not a bad thing. Ty's side is him being himself, great of course. Some songs have ended up on other records too but this is prolly different versions and lo-fi. And great!

Review:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Shampoo 7"
Sub Pop

Took a little bit of a pass on Happy Birthday when it didn't win me over like King Tuff did.. But after falling in love with the b-side on here, "Alien" I've gotta give their album another shot. It's a glorious little summerditty that is just too cute and catchy to not fall for. "Shampoo" is no pass over either and should fill many a dancefloor.  But oh, "Alien" is just way too great to miss out on.
(Thomas)

REVIEW:

SHANNON & THE CLAMS - I Wanna Go Home LP
1-2-3-4-Go! Records

Shannon is prolly best know for her work in Hunx & his Punx but this, in her own glory with a great band is at times awesome! Caught them live before listening to this and that was great. The records has some downs like the more hardcore moments which could work (like it does really well for the King Khan & BBQ Show) but mostly brings me out of the nice, sunny feeling that I'm having while listening to the rest of the record. The first side is pretty magnificent while the B-side starts out with, in my mind, three duds. I'm pretty sure that stuff works out better live though. When this is great it's great.. Shannon can sing like a goddess! And the slower more r'n'b-y songs really showcase her voice and fit it really well.
(Thomas)

REVIEW:

OVERNIGHT LOWS - City of Rotten Eyes LP
Goner Records

This fits perfectly on Goner. And seems to have been somehow forgotten, which is a shame. This is a spirited continuation of a lot of stuff going on in the 90's and early 00's. Taking some Oblivians, some Rip Off Records, some Persuaders, Reatards.. but never copying. Just picking the parts. The whole sounds different than the aforementioned though, punkier than the Oblivians and weirder than anything on Rip Off. This record is pretty fucking great actually. I've missed this kinda on the spot, furious, take on punkrock. It's a short 12 song on 45 rpm, but it's sweet as fuck. A breath of fresh air!!
(Thomas)

REVIEW:

SAINTS & SINNERS VOL 1-2 LP
Sheik Records

Cool comps of sheiking rockabill and rhythm & blues from the 50's and 60's. Nice packaging, oriental style fitting the funny labelname.
A lof of unknowns for me, mostly the rockabilly guys, but also some famous ones like Trini Lopez, Lightning Hopkins, Elmore James, Little Walter.Liners for each song with some background etc is a nice touch too.The linernotes are touting some of the songs with superlatives and while I'm not sure this is some of the best-ever-songs, there's a good amount of fantastic stuff and overall, which makes these comps nice, is the mix and set up. They make for some really great listening. And if you wanna party, there's a fair amount of dancers on here too. Mostly stompers though, but who the heck doesn't like a stomper?!
(Thomas)

REVIEW:

ELECTRIC BUNNIES - Through the Magical Door LP
Florida's Dying

Pretty cool record from a cool band on a cool label. Nice packaging too. I'm at a loss for how to describe their music though.. Very moody, a lot of improv going on I would thing, a lot of building up an ambience. Like it more when they play their songs straight up, but I guess the weirdness also adds some mystery and magic to the mix and therefore the title is really fitting. I'd say this would be as much for fans of say the Black Lips and Jacuzzi Boys as it would be for fans of noise and indie-weirdness.
(Thomas)

http://www.myspace.com/electricbunnies
http://www.floridasdying.com

REVIEW:

GOODNIGHT LOVING - Arcobaleno 12"
Wild Honey Records

This is a nice little record in-between records from the Goodnight Loving, a band I've learned to love more and more. I fell for their latest fullenght, and this is a cool continuation from that. A little more laidback, folky maybe. Great sounding, by way of the steady hands of Mojomatt. The GL have that great epic songwriting capability that captures my imagionation and takes it along for a ride. The pictures and feelings they paint adds so much to the songs. This is slod out but the label is considering a repress. Let's hope it's out there soon.
(Thomas)

REVIEW:

DAVILA 666 12"
Rob's House Records

New 12" from the world's greatest partyband at the moment! Great sound, dirty and lo-fi in a great way. As always the songs are topnotch. They're pretty much a different band than the one on the ITR LP but I'd say they're all the better for it. They're a fullfledged, massive bulldozer of a liveband where all their songs mesh together in a perfect mass. Look forward to seeing them if you haven't. And love their records meanwhile. (Thomas)

REVIEW:

BOX ELDERS - Tiny Sioux 7"
Hozac singles club

I love the Box Elders and it's about time they had something new out, my LP is getting worn down. You've prolly heard the titletrack live for a while and it's an amazing little ditty in their patented Box Elders-way. B-side is equally laid back, nice and cool. Perfect for summernights. (Thomas)

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Reviews - February 2010

Back after the winterbreak with some must-haves! Read more >>

THE REATARDS

The world lost a great goddamn performer in Jay Reatard. We love his music and it'll make him live forever!
Here's an interview from way, way back that Martin Savage did for Savage #4. Read more >>

FIGURES OF LIGHT

Martin Savage got a hold of protopunk pioneers and newly re-discovered The Figures of Light for an interesting interview. Check out their 7" and LP/CD on Norton for some great rock and roll. Read more >>

REVIEWS - DECEMBER '09

A day late and a few dollars short - here are the December reviews! Quite the mix..
Read more >>

REVIEWS - NOVEMBER 2009

I'm not even gonna apologize for this delay - just read on.. Ty Segall, Reigning Sound, Box Elders.. so much great stuff!! Read more >>

Reviews - October 2009

This thing about posting reviews the first day of the month seems impossible..sorry! Here's a big batch for the 7th day of the month though. Enjoy! Read more >>

THE GOODNIGHT LOVING

Check out this great Milwaukee band with releases on Dusty Medical, Wild Honey and Contaminated and read about their upcoming releases. Read more >>

THE FORBIDDEN TIGERS

Ladies and gentlemen...The amazing Forbidden Tigers!!!
Look out for a European tour early next year! Read more >>

THE STRANGE BOYS

Check out Austin, Texas' cool Strange Boys - surf, country, blues, garage - they mix it all up. Hopefully you've caught them live on their endless tour. Read more >>

Reviews - June 2009

Still playing ketchup so you'll have to take some pretty old stuff for a little while longer. Reviews of Apache, Black Time, Henry Fiat's Open Sore, some cool comps and more.
Read more >>

Reviews - May 2009

A few days late because of internet failure but crammed loads of releases in there instead. Enjoy!
Bongo Joe, Brainbombs, Weakends, Ty Segall, Jeffrey Novak and some Algerian rock and roll. Read more >>

REVIEWS - APRIL 2009

Got some nice new stuff from the Jacuzzi Boys, thee Oh Sees, Strange Boys and some new bands releasing outstanding singels like the Woven Bones and Personal & the Pizzas.

Read more here >>

REVIEWS - MARCH 2009

Got a few new albums and a couple of singles reviewed for March.. Marked Men, Jacuzzi Boys, Hunches, Black Lips and more. Read more >>

REVIEWS - FEBRUARY 2009

Yes, back on track again and my february 9th resolution is to have the reviews up the first of the month again starting march 1st.

This month sees reviews of records from the amazing Jacuzzi Boys, Ty Segall, the Figures of Light, some old and rare surf,  new garagerock and more.. Read more >>

Reviews November 2008

A new batch of stuff.. so much left and more coming all the time! But I love it. Manikins, Jack of Heart, Quintron, Digital Leather, Lover! etc Read more >>

THE GUINEA WORMS

Probably the most mindnumbing song of the year. The Guinea Worms "Box of Records" have been winning the hearts of nerds all over the world. Here's an interview with singer/guitarplayer Will Foster. Read more >>

THE HEX DISPENSERS

One of my faves this past year. Live they are amazing. Go check them out whenever you have the chance.Savage caught up with singer/guitarplayer Alex Cuervo (formerly of the Gospel Swingers, Blacktop and This Damn Town). Read more >>

THE YOLKS

Certainly one of the best new bands to come along the last couple of years. They'll make you dance until dawn and they say they've learned it from the best. Ladies and gents...THE YOLKS! Read more >>

REVIEWS October 2008

So many Ken Rock releases..can't review..them..all..smothering..me...gasp! And a Goodnight Loving LP that's real good. Read more >>

IN THE RED RECORDS New releases

Comments on the new releases from bands like Jay Reatard, Davila 666, Cheap Time, Vivian Girls and more by Larry Hardy. Read more >>

REVIEWS SEPTEMBER 2008

A few days late, not to mention the month that passed by too fast.. Still catching up..a shitload of Live Fast Die releases reviewed, new Mojomatics LP, Twistin' Rumble 5 and 6 and some more great shit. Along with the newest teen-sensation. Read more >>

DAVILA 666

Out now is the debut, of sorts, by Puerto Rico’s DAVILA 666 on In The Red Records. Since they’ve been bragging about being longtime Savage-fans we had to hook up with them and find out how they ended up on In The Red, what the Puerto Rican garage-scene is like and what bands they’ve been inspired by. AJ Davila will guide you through the drugs, knifefights and chicken-eating! Read more >>

REVIEWS JULY 2008

Well that had some time coming.. Sorry about that. Will be back on track from now on. Enjoy some old stuff finally getting reviewed and some newer stuff too. Lost Sounds, Cheap Time, Blowtops, Dirtbombs, Guinea Worms, Hex Dispensers, Manikins and loads more.  [Full story..]

CRYPT RECORDS

An up-to-date interview with headhoncho Tim Warren and Dirk jumping to answer a few questions about the European side of things. [Full story..]

THE ORIGINAL THREE

You all know Ian and his band the Black Lips, but he's also in another band from Memphis called the Original Three. I got a chance to catch up with the lesser-known members of the band to get down to the real nitty gritty. [Full story..]

REVIEWS FEBRUARY 2008

Black Lips, old blues, the love for the Cosmic Psychos, Jay Reatard's Terror Visions and more.. [Full story..]

THE BLACK LIPS

A short interview and update with Ian from the Black Lips where he spills it about the new movie, new records and his other cool band, the Original Three. [Full story..]

BOOK REVIEW:

THE ELECTROLINE DIARIES

A really nice photobook showing off the cool hot rods of the legendary Burbank Choppers.
this would really look nice next to your "Hot Rod" by David Perry. [Full story..]

Best of 2007 by Thomas Savage

Better late than never right? Still catching up on a lot of reviewing and interviewing but from the looks of it, '07 isn't that much different from '06. However the spring of 2007 can never be equaled as far as shows go. Don't know how many times I saw the Marked Men or the Black Lips in Texas only to come home to King Khan, BBQ, Jay Reatard and more Black Lips. Great year! Check out my best of 2007 list.

COCOCOMA // HEADACHE CITY 

They're going on tour together throughout Europe in February and March, they've got some new releases out on cool labels like Goner, Shit Sandwich and HoZac, and they share members. We caught up with them before they leave for Europe. [full story..]

HAUNTED GEORGE

Haunted George is what they call him, from out of the desert comes a one man band, more horrifying than ever before. We got word from the ghoul in his desert cabin and here's what he had to say.. [full story..]

"THE SPOOKY WHEER"

A ghost story by Haunted George [full story..]

REVIEWS - January 2008

Here's the latest batch, I know they've been gone for a while but I'm catching up. Have faith! Check out reviews of the Creteens, Blues Explosion, Black Lips, Makeouts, Trashies... [full story]

REVIEWS OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2007

Yup, double dosage this month. Reviews of some great stuff like Jack Oblivian, Lover! and an awesome rockabilly comp, and then we're also playing catch-up with reviews of some old stuff. Check 'em out here

REVIEWS - SEPTEMBER 2007

Reviews of the Gaye Blades, King Khan, Lover!, Black Lips, Vikings, Intelligence, Sonics... Read it here

CRYPT RECORDS

An interview with the world's coolest label. Read it here

NORTON RECORDS

An interview with Billy Miller, one half of way cool Norton Records. Read it here

OBLIVIANS

We had a chat with Greg after their show in Hamburg. Read it here

NAMELOSERS INTERVIEW IN UGLY THINGS #25

Don't miss the new issue of the greatest magazine since Kicks kicked it. We're also proud as all get out to have an interview with Swedish 60's garagekings, THE NAMELOSERS in the new issue. Just go out and get it!

IN THE RED RECORDS

Larry Hardy of ITR speaks his mind. Read it here

THE GORIES STORY part 2 - DAN KROHA

Finally the second part of the story of one of the greatest bands EVER! Read it here Also check out the interview with Mick Collins below.

THE GORIES STORY part 1 - MICK COLLINS

Part one of the history of the Gories. Mick also talks King Sound Quartet, Dirtbombs, Blacktop etc. Read it here

Mark Sultan aka BBQ

The one man band who doesn't want to be one, also as in The King Khan & BBQ Show, Les Sexareenos and the Spaceshits. From now on known as Mark Sultan. Check out the "Sultanic Verses" in In The Red. Read the interview here

THE BLOWTOPS

Interview first published in Savage #4. Read it here

THE MANIKINS

Sweden's hardest working rock'n'rollband. Three fullengths, a ten inch and a bunch of singles. Read all about them here

CRIMINAL IQ RECORDS

Criminal IQ mastermind Darius gives us the lowdown

REGULATIONS

Sweden's coolest punkband! Read an interview here

REVIEWS JUNE 2007

The new Guitar Wolf CD, King Louie's Black Rose Band, Don Howland's Wooden Tit and the new High Tension Wires plus some cool stuff. Read the reviews.

THE GOSPEL SWINGERS

An interview with a shortlived but oh so great band by Martin Savage. Read it here

THE FATALS

Definitely the loudest band ever out of France, and also one of the best. We talked a bit with Wladimir Malaga about the Fatals and his label Nasty.

THE BASEBALL FURIES

Great as all get out punkrock. They've split up but rumours of a last record is running around. Cross your fingers. Read an interview here

CHEATER SLICKS

One of the best bands ever! Their new album is out now on Dead Canary Records. Read all about it!

REVIEWS MAY 2007

Featuring the Marked Men's Jeff Burke's solo project, new Ken Rock releases and some bands that are heading over to Europe shit summer; the Boston Chinks and LiveFastDie. Read it all right here.

REVIEWS APRIL 2007

Still catching up with the last few months. Promise a lot more reviews next up. Check out this latest bach right here

THE LITTLE KILLERS

The new record is called "A Real Good One" and it is! It's out on Gern Blandstein and here's what singer/guitarplayer Andy had to say.

BLACK TIME

Maybe one of the best bands walking the Earth right now! Their second LP/CD is out on In The Red and they have a bunch of new records coming out soon. This interview was made after the release of their first LP.

THE CHEAP THRILLS VS. THE NERVOUS HABITS

Got a damn cool looking single in the mail with two bands that both have cool sounding names and I haven't heard of either one before.. I just thought this is too good to be true.. they probably both suck..

M.O.T.O

Masters of the Obvious!

MOGEN DAVID & THE GRAPES OF WRATH

I don’t know if you’ve heard the ace garage punk 7” that Norton put out last year. The band was called Mogen David and the Grapes of Wrath and it really blew me away.

KING KHAN

The hardest working man in showbiz now that JB isn't around any longer. Find out more about King Khan & the Shrines, the King Khan & BBQ Show and the Kukamongas.

REVIEWS FEBRUARY 2007

Beat Beat Beat, Mojomatics, Maaster Gaiden, Gonerfest CD/DVD and a bunch of great compilations. Read all February reviews

THE MARKED MEN

The catchiest and best punkrock band out there these days! They're just plain amazing. Check out what these ex-Reds outta Texas have to say about touring in Europe and their new record on Swami Records.

LIVEFASTDIE

Checkin’ out LiveFastDie’s MySpace I was blown away by their song “Passing Out in Front of You”!!! Great goddamn punkrock! Turns out it’s a one-man-band that wants to be a whole band...

REVIEWS JANUARY 2007

Demon's Claws, Rat Traps, Alarm Clocks and more. Read all January reviews