Savage (band)
Encyclopedia
Savage was a heavy metal band from Mansfield, England.
The band is most remembered for the song titled "Let it Loose", a track which made significant impact on the early 1980s metal scene, and would later give rise to the name of their first album, Loose 'N Lethal, released in 1983 and nowadays considered a classic.
The group was formed in 1976 by 15-year-old bass player Dave Menegaux, vocalist and guitarist Kevin Osborn, guitarist Mark Clese and drummer Gregg "Slammer" Hammer, but after only one official gig in nine months, the band disbanded until regrouping 1980.
In 1980, they released their first demo tape, in 1981 they managed to release "Scene of the Crime" and, what would be their most renowned song, "Let it Loose". The song incorporated a sound bordering on speed and thrash metal, and influenced many bands to follow similar styles. In fact, there is a 1982 demo tape of Metallica covering this song.
In 1982, Ebony Records picked up the band. Their first release under the Ebony label was a track for a compilation titled "Metal Fatigue". The release was met with good reviews and Ebony decided to release two new Savage tracks on a 7" Single, which sold well. They debut album, "Loose And Lethal" was released the next year.
Although being an impressive unit, receiving compliments from magazines, fans, and bands, Savage lacked support, since small label Ebony did not know how to promote them beyond semi-pro levels.
In 1984 the band decided to leave Ebony Records and signed to a new label, Zebra Records
, quickly diving into a limited US tour with acts such as Venom
and Metallica
. At the end of the year they issed their first release for Zebra, the 12" EP "We Got the Edge". However, the magic which had been so evident on previous releases had evaporated, and a radically different second album, "Hyperactive" only exacerbated the situation.
The band is most remembered for the song titled "Let it Loose", a track which made significant impact on the early 1980s metal scene, and would later give rise to the name of their first album, Loose 'N Lethal, released in 1983 and nowadays considered a classic.
The group was formed in 1976 by 15-year-old bass player Dave Menegaux, vocalist and guitarist Kevin Osborn, guitarist Mark Clese and drummer Gregg "Slammer" Hammer, but after only one official gig in nine months, the band disbanded until regrouping 1980.
In 1980, they released their first demo tape, in 1981 they managed to release "Scene of the Crime" and, what would be their most renowned song, "Let it Loose". The song incorporated a sound bordering on speed and thrash metal, and influenced many bands to follow similar styles. In fact, there is a 1982 demo tape of Metallica covering this song.
In 1982, Ebony Records picked up the band. Their first release under the Ebony label was a track for a compilation titled "Metal Fatigue". The release was met with good reviews and Ebony decided to release two new Savage tracks on a 7" Single, which sold well. They debut album, "Loose And Lethal" was released the next year.
Although being an impressive unit, receiving compliments from magazines, fans, and bands, Savage lacked support, since small label Ebony did not know how to promote them beyond semi-pro levels.
In 1984 the band decided to leave Ebony Records and signed to a new label, Zebra Records
Zebra Records
Zebra Records is a San Francisco-based record label....
, quickly diving into a limited US tour with acts such as Venom
Venom (band)
Venom are an English heavy metal band that formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal —are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general...
and Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
. At the end of the year they issed their first release for Zebra, the 12" EP "We Got the Edge". However, the magic which had been so evident on previous releases had evaporated, and a radically different second album, "Hyperactive" only exacerbated the situation.
Albums
- Loose 'N Lethal (Ebony Records, 1983)
- Hyperactive (Zebra RecordsZebra RecordsZebra Records is a San Francisco-based record label....
, 1985) - Holy Wars (Neat RecordsNeat RecordsNeat Records was a record label based near Newcastle, England. The label was established in 1979 by David Wood, who was the owner of Impulse Studios in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, England. The establishment of Neat coincided with the arrival at Impulse of Songwriter/Producer Steve Thompson who guided...
, 1995) - Babylon (I.R.S. RecordsI.R.S. RecordsI.R.S. Records was a record label, started in the United States in 1979 by Miles Copeland III along with Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. Miles was also the manager of Wishbone Ash, The Police, and later, Sting, as well as other bands. I.R.S. was the sister label of Copeland's Illegal Records .I.R.S...
, 1996) - Xtreme Machine (Neat RecordsNeat RecordsNeat Records was a record label based near Newcastle, England. The label was established in 1979 by David Wood, who was the owner of Impulse Studios in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, England. The establishment of Neat coincided with the arrival at Impulse of Songwriter/Producer Steve Thompson who guided...
, 2001)
Singles/EPs
- Aint No Fit Place (Ebony Records, 1982)
- We Got The Edge (Zebra RecordsZebra RecordsZebra Records is a San Francisco-based record label....
, 1984) - Cardiac (Black Dragon, 1986)