Martin Savage Gang

Reviews

Martin Savage Gang Such a Drag LP

Stockholm’s MARTIN SAVAGE GANG, led by the relentlessly productive Martin Hildebrand (the BLACKS, LOCOMOTIONS, Savage Records), delivers a tight, eleven-song party platter with Such a Drag. The ROLLING STONES’ DNA runs deep here, with shades of a NEW YORK DOLLS swagger thrown in for good measure, and Hildebrand’s vocals carry an easygoing charm that makes you want to be friends with the guy. A couple sax solos pop up on the record because why the hell not, and the album never settles into that sameness that can plague this style. Each track manages to carve out its own space. It’s a smoother, less organ-forward ride than 2020’s Now We’re Rollin’, trading some of that grit for some real-deal boogie. Three covers round out the set and should help you know what to expect: ELTON MOTELLO’s “Victim of Time,” EDDIE COCHRAN’s “Summertime Blues,” and KING LOUIE BANKSTON’s “Gypsy Switch,” all delivered with the loose, lived-in energy of a band that is devoted to the gospel. Recommended.

Martin Savage Gang Fool’s Gold EP

The Swedes know how to deliver rock’n’roll. This is punk and all that, but this is rock’n’roll at its core. You can hear some STONES in there, but there’s also some T-REX. And maybe even some NEWTOWN NEUROTICS  By definition, that means it’s catchy. The second track picks up the pace and the aggression. The third and final cut maintains their aggression, but the focus on the keyboards sort of calms that. Great record.

Martin Savage Gang Now We’re Rollin’ LP

I have been a fan of MARTIN SAVAGE since the 1990s. His former bands the BLACKS and the LOCOMOTIONS remain in high rotation around my house. MARTIN SAVAGE GANG continues his remarkable musical legacy. High-energy garage punk with frantic guitars, stompin’ drums and distorted organ. But it’s the vocals that reel me in. He has such a distinct, wonderful singing style and sound to cap off the great songs. Fantastic.