Screeching out of a North London lock up on a stolen moped, Randy Savages are the missing link between cheap speed and Cheap Trick.
Made up of equal parts has beens and wannabes they blur the lines between 70’s punk and 70’s glam with ALL feet stomping.
True to punks ultimate DIY ethic not only did they play, record and produce all the tracks on their debut recording – they built the studio in 2 disused shipping containers in a top secret Camden Town location which definitely isn’t in guitarist Lloyd Loud’s garden. Shhh.
On a mission to rid the current music scene of mediocre rock’n’roll clowns and punk rock clones Randy Savages are a truck load of aural viagra with more hooks than a St Trinians cloakroom.
Their first year of gigs saw them supporting such old school luminaries as Eddie and the Hotrods, Anti Nowhere League and Protex and rounding off the year with a successful Italian tour.
2018’s diary is already filling up with gigs and festival appearances but they’re psyched up for more.
And 13th July sees the release of their first slab of vinyl, Intercontinental / Guilty Of Nuthin’. Check out a teaser below!
We managed to catch up with the band as they talked about their upcoming release and more!
How pumped are you for the release of Intercontinental / Guilty Of Nuthin?
Lloyd:– You know, it’s exciting times – especially to get it released on a U.S. label – we’re now looking for someone to get it out in Europe.
Liam:- I’ve been collecting records since I was 14 and although I’ve released stuff (with other bands) before on big(gish) labels, it was always on CD, so to have a 45 out with my stupid face on it is pretty cool.
Nick:– Yeah, and as it’s is our first release as a band, after nearly 2 years of playing, it’s cool to actually see the vinyl in our hands, after tracking it all ourselves – in our own studio over in Camden.
Nico:- Personally, I am well excited as I haven’t been on stage for the last 2 years and being a new part of the Savages it’s the best comeback I could possibly hope for! We work hard like not many people in the DIY do, the rest of the guys’ care so much and so it’s been easy working with them. I am having already the best time!
Can you tell something about the track ‘Intercontinental’ that no one else knows?
Nick:- Bizarrely, It’s our only wrestling themed song
Lloyd:- …and the video was filmed in the famous Tate Britain gallery
Liam:- People think it’s us wearing the masks in the video – but its not, it’s actually cameos from some of our showbiz pals – if you look closely you might be able to work it out who they are.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Liam:- Wayne Kramer for me – one of my last living guitar heroes.
Nico:- it’s not something I’ve actually ever thought about, but there are definitely a lot of artists I would love to study during their writing process and steal from them. Right now, I’d love to make an acoustic record, I love the different dynamics and vibes you can create with an acoustic guitar.
Lloyd:- we’re all Kiss fans so I reckon they’d be someone we’d all agree on if nothing else.
Nick:- …Or, whoever has the biggest rider!
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
Nico:- I work with sound, music, post-production, and I go to the movies a lot. I also enjoy building things, sometimes music related. Basically if I can make noise, in anyway, it’s good.
Nick:- Drinking, going to gigs, playing with motorbikes
Lloyd:- Same, but mainly drinking.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Nick:- Not certain, but it was likely some sort of surf thrash punk in my hometown of Adelaide, Australia in the mid 90s
Nico:- I am gonna say 1999 Rancid, so I look cool. The truth is another one, but you will never know because it was some fucking terrible cheesy Italian crap that no one needs to know.
Liam:- Joe Strummer. 2000. I was 16.
Lloyd:- Manowar – my ears still bleed as a result
What got you guys in to music in the first place?
Liam:- I was 14, chubby and wore braces. It was my only chance of getting girls. Its worked pretty well up to now!
Nick:- I first got into music heavily when I got my first cassette walkman for Christmas in the 80s – before the hipsters got a hold of them!
Nico:- I guess it was something I could do by myself in my room when I was 12 and didn’t need anybody’s approval, so it felt good. It was the only way to get yourself out there, without fear of getting judged or criticised.
Lloyd:- David. Lee. Roth.
Will you be releasing an EP/Album this year?
Nick:- Probably not this year, but who knows? We already have a few other songs finished and a bunch of demos recorded and we certainly hope to start recording proper later this year.
So you’re releasing the single on Friday 13th, will there be any spooky elements to the tracks?
Nick:- Not that we know of, but it seems fitting eh? Who knows what the record will sound like when it’s played backwards?
Lloyd:- But it’s fair to say a couple of members of the band are likely to give you the willies in one way or another.
Catch the band live:
24 June – Canterbury – Lady Luck
13 July – Camden Lock tavern – Garageland – Single launch
15 July – Derby – Punks against cancer festival
28 July – Powerpop Weekender – The Finsbury
11 Aug – Kingston – Fighting Cocks
17 Aug – Leeds – Bad Apples
18 Aug – Oldham – Bank Top
18 Nov – London – 100 club