User:Mavngoose/Savage (British heavy metal band)

Hailing from Mansfield, UK, founder members Chris Bradley and Andy Dawson played the local music scene by first performing covers of Thin Lizzy, Ufo, Deep Purple and Van Halen, and were soon renowned on the local scene with a blend of energetic new british metal and cover songs.

Savage were invited to participate in the seminal compilation album: 'scene of the crime', recording: 'let it loose' and 'dirty money', and in a lucky twist of fate this album ended up in the hands of METALLICA'S drummer Lars Ulrich, who bought the album whilst in London. He took it back to the US resulting in METALLICA recording 'let it loose'.

At around the same time, Savage were offered their first record deal by Ebony records. The band's first single, a double A side, was released to strong reviews, and in 1983 Savage released the legendary 'LOOSE N LETHAL' album. 'LOOSE N LETHAL received rave reviews from the media and it was soon pronounced best selling metal import album in America.

The band played gigs throughout the uk and focussed especially on London including the notorious MARQUEE club.

'KERRANG!' reviewed many of the london gigs. In 1984 the band played shows in Europe and shared the bill with Metallica and Venom playing to 10,000 people, receiving outstanding reviews.

In 1985 Savage released their second album: 'HYPERACTIVE'. The album received a 5* (K) review in Kerrang!, followed by a UK tour with a homecoming sold out theatre show. Despite the success of the first two albums and live shows, the lack of support from both their record label and management caused much frustration with in the band and resulted in band infighting. So, in 1986, the band finally folded.

Bradley and Dawson continued to make music seperately for the next few years until finally reforming with original drummer Dave Lindley to record the comeback album HOLY WARS (1995 on Neat Records). The album sold well in the UK, europe and Japan.

The fourth studio album: 'BABYLON' (1997), along with the video for the title track, was released to great reviews. The new material was powerful, punchy classic rock, and attracted many new fans. This was followed a year later with more live shows - the band performed in America for the first time, with drummer MARK NELSON, followed by Germany where the band performed at the famed WACKEN festival.

Savage 2011 Line-up: Andy Dawson, Chris Bradley, Mark Nelson, Kristian Bradley.

A 6th studio album release is planned for spring 2011 (on the Minus 2 Zebra label)

Discography

Albums

* Loose 'N Lethal (Ebony Records, 1983) * Hyperactive (Zebra Records, 1985) * Holy Wars (Neat Records, 1995) * Babylon (1997) * Xtreme Machine (2001) * This Aint No Fit Place, Greatest Hits (2002)

Singles/EPs

* Aint No Fit Place (Ebony Records, 1982) * We Got The Edge (Zebra Records, 1984)