Words by Toby Rogers
You've got to hand it to the French. With their Gauloises dangling nonchalantly from their lips, they make high art that's both groundbreaking yet effortless; works of absolute genius emerge fully-formed with a non-committal shrug. From Albert Camus to Daft Punk, everything they touch oozes Gallic cool. And the same goes for Savages. An Anglo-French four-piece fronted by John & Jehn singer Jehnny Beth, the band deliver strutting drone-goth that thunders through the gaps between The Stooges, The Black Angels and Elastica.
Like a female Ian Curtis, Jehnny Beth's a lightning rod for the rest of the band; an intense focal point for their dark, doom-laden psych. An iconic frontwoman in the making, she's equal parts Patti Smith, Siouxie Sioux and Iggy Stooge, wrapped up in heels and a Vidal Sassoon haircut. With a voice like Ade Blackburn, lead singer with Scouse post-punk revivalists Clinic, her haunting neo-goth drawl is compelling.
Fusing Jehnny Beth's vocals with intense, bass-heavy rhythms, Savages sound incredible. Few bands are this impressive so early in their career. Watching the clip of "City's Full", the first song in the set from the band's first ever show, is mind-blowing. As exciting as The Pistols at the 100 Club or The Beatles in Hamburg? Quite probably. Savages are going to tear things up.
Savages release their debut single 'Husbands' 28th May via Pop Noire
Today's tip comes courtesy of Shell Zenner from Amazing Radio
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