SAVAGE BEAT have been called the โAmsterdam ambassadors of high energy rock โn rollโ! Their unique style of self-proclaimed โstreet boogieโ is a mix of late 70โs punk mixed with glam and Oi! influences. They are โthree chord disciplesโ on a mission to spread the gospel across the world. The big riffs and choruses have caught on, because since forming in 2016, Savage Beat have built a reputation torching stages across Europe and the USA while supporting legends like The Damned, Cock Sparrer, Radio Birdman, The Exploited and Nashville Pussy. Their sound draws straight from the raw spirit of Slaughter & The Dogs, MC5 and the Dead Boys.
The band is set to drop their explosive new full-length, Bright Lights, Tall Shadows (Cat. No. WSW-025), on March 6, 2026. Released via Wap Shoo Wap Records, Longshot Music, Mendeku Diskak and Too Circle records, the 10-track powerhouse doubles down on the bandโs signature โstreet boogieโ โ a blistering fusion of late-โ70s punk rock, fist-pumping Oi!, and unapologetic high-octane rock โnโ roll. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
Savage Beat: I remember going into my fatherโs study and flipping through his records and stumbling on Motorheadโs first LP op Chiswick records. The image of Snaggletooth, iron crosses and swastikas and all, made a huge impression on a 8-year-old kid. It looked so dangerous and intriguing at the same. However, 5 minutes later it was back to lego. Fast forward 6-7 years and this record, together with the ramones, saints, stiff little fingers, sex pistols, clash and mc5 got played at maximum volume. Never looked back ever since.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
Savage Beat: Thereโs been some music lessons, however the whole point of punk, diy or rock and roll in general is as follows: hereโs three chords. Go have fun. And so we all did. All of us have played in countless bands over the past 25-30 years. All those experiences are combined in Savage Beat. We basically are 5 individuals with an eclectic taste and love for anything loud and raw.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, whatโs the story behind choosing the name โSavage Beatโ?
Savage Beat: As for Savage Beat the goal was to play music honoring the old punk, oi and rock and roll of the late 70ies and early 80ies of the last century. Bands that were an early inspiration are bands like Cock Sparrer, Ramones, Cockney Rejects, The Dictators, The Saints, Poison Idea, Hellacopters, MC5, Motorhead, Sonics Rendezvous Band, Stooges, Radio Birdman, Blitz, the rnr punk of old Chiswick and Stiff records and tons more.
The name Savage Beat was lifted of a Dictators LP as it is and song on their fabulous DFFD record that is still, to this day, sadly overlooked.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
Savage Beat: We sound like a band that loves its rock and roll in the broadest sense. You will hear elements of punk, glam, oi, rock and roll and such. We hope our sounds will get our audience to go the fuck off and make it a great party. Next to that we want to make the best possible record for people to enjoy and sing along too.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?
Savage Beat: Originality is not a main concern. By now punk, rnr, oi and most other subgenre of rock music have been done over and over. Itโs just that thereโs always people who feel the need to play the same three chords again and have a great time doing just that. So do we. We have all become quite experienced on our instruments and after 25 years we also know a thing or two about songwriting. Hopefully we got a little better at what we do haha. But we will leave that up to the judgement of the listeners
6. Music often transcends entertainment. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
Savage Beat: We mix it all up. Political? Yes. Cultural? Yes. Spiritual? If Lemmy, Malcolm Young and Joe Strummer count as gods maybe. In the end we are a punk/rock and roll band and music is never just technical artistry, personal or strict entertainment. Lots of our lyrics address social issues. Some donโt. And thatโs fine.
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment youโre still seeking?
Savage Beat: None of us have a villa with a pool if thatโs what you mean? I think the fulfillment is in making a record people like. Itโs a great feeling when you travel abroad and thereโs people coming to the show, singing our lyrics along and buying our records. It means a lot. We invest time, passion and all that into our art. And people like it. Sure it would be great if we could sell a kazillion lpโs and live of the band but since weโre all a bit older we can also just enjoy the fact we still get to do this.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, whatโs the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
Savage Beat: Someone comes up with an idea, riff, concept for a song which then will be made complete in the studio. We all have quite some ideas and knowledge on music by now so we throw our minds together in finishing a tune and usually weโll create something we like.
9. Whatโs been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
Savage Beat: We do this mostly for fun. But everyone takes his own experiences with them in the band. Which is quite normal for any given situation where 5 individuals go out of their way to create something. Everybody is shaped by personal issues. All of us have played music for at least 20 years so thatโs a lot of history that has shaped all of us in our own way. Not sure if you can hear all the in a three minute punk stomper. Maybe you can. That would be nice.
10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And letโs talk about your latest release and future plans.
Savage Beat: We have had the honor to share the stage with some fantastic bands and people we look up to. Opening for Cock Sparrer in Novi Sad, Serbia or for Radio Birdman in Haarlem, Netherlands was great. Laying waste to a bar in Madrid rocked. Playing the fantastic Sjock festival or a legendary pub in Camden town London, releasing records, having people like Jerry A of Poison Idea or Tony Slug (rip) endorse the band and record with us is fantastic. People getting Savage Beat tattoos is quite crazy tooโฆ
Our new LP Bright Lights, Tall Shadows will be out this march on Longshot records, Wap Shoo Wap records and Mendeku Diskak. It will also be released on cd on a Japanese label called Too circle records. Itโs got ten songs, sounds and looks great and we are very proud of it. We hope to play shows around the world to support. Plans are being made for gigs around Europe, Canada and Japan so ni rest for the wicked!
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
Savage Beat: We do what we like. It you like it. Great! If you donโt? Not our problem.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
Savage Beat: Both have their own charm. The studio is great because the creative process coming together and you get to fulfill the potential of your ideas. Playing live is great because you get to convince people of those ideas and hopefully, they will enjoy them as much as we do. So, both excite us equally I suppose.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
Savage Beat: People can make of it what they want and they will. Itโs not something we have any influence over.
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