Label: Gusstaff
Reissued 4/12/2024
Poland Import
Hailing from the Los Angeles underground of the 1980s, Savage Republic forged an astonishing reputation for themselves as art-punk and industrial pioneers with their legendary performances. Their brand of ritualistically tribal exhibitions blurred the boundaries of post-punk and industrial music. Their music incorporates minimalist bass rumbles, exotic and/or militaristic drumming, Arabic melodies, alternate tunings, primal chants and even a bit of surf guitar. Savage Republic released four full length albums in the 1980s, plus several live records and compilation tracks. In 1989 everything went quiet as the Republic scattered to pursue other interests and their labels and distributors folded. After reuniting in 2002 for a brief U.S. tour supporting the boxed-set reissue of their five studio albums by Mobilization Records, several of the members began sharing ideas for new songs, reviving the band officially in 2005. In 2006/2007 Savage Republic added drum professor Alan Waddington (the Unforgiven) to the line-up and released 1938 on Neurot Recordings, the band's first studio recording in 18 years. The limited edition Siam EP was also released on Neurot Recordings featuring alternate mixes of some of the 1938 material. With their first full-length album in seven years, Savage Republic returns with some of their best work yet! Self-recorded in a secret cavernous location, their mix of tribal textures, political anthems and Morricone-esque surf instrumentals once again transport the listener to faraway lands at turns both sinister and beautiful. One of many highlights of Meteora is the pandemic inspired piece "Unprecedented," written by Wire's Graham Lewis that is sure to become a staple in their set list. This longest-lasting lineup of Thom Fuhrmann, Ethan Port, Alan Waddington and Kerry Dowling have infused all the power of their legendary live performances into a cinematic sonic dreamscape.
Track listing:
- Nothing At All
- Stingray
- God & Guns
- Bizerte Rolls
- Meteora
- Unprecedented
- Boca Del Vaca
- Newport '86
- Ghost Light