Front Row Pix: Savages @ The Paradise, Boston
by Frank Poulin
As they make their way around the world to share their first album, Silence Yourself, Savages tore through Boston this week and left their mark.
First up was Duke Garwood, supported by Johnny Hostile on bass. Dedicated fans of Savages will recognize both those names from Garwood’s guest appearance on the album and Hostile’s long personal and professional association with the band. Garwood’s smoldering and tension-filled experimental blues fed the crowd’s anticipation, capping the set with Savages singer Jehnny Beth lending vocal support for the final number.
When Savages walked onto the stage we were all ready to release that tension and the band obliged by breaking into “I Am Here” ~ building up the rhythm and driving the frantic finale right into our skulls.
All four members were firing on all cylinders, with a standout performance by bassist Ayse Hassan and some seriously tight drumwork by Fay Milton.
The set literally ebbed and flowed, taking us through pretty much every song of their repertoire (with the exception of “Flying To Berlin”) in successive waves that built up and came crashing down on us poor mortals, culminating with their anthem “Husbands.” Their last song, “Fuckers,” was a mini-replay of the whole night: starting off slow and ending in mayhem.
No doubt you can tell I’m a fan of this band and thus you may choose to disregard the hyperbole, but I’m telling you… this band is unique and their performance suggests this is the start of something truly special. Do yourself a favor and go experience these guys live or I have a feeling you’re going to kick yourself later!
