CLASSIC OZ ROCK WILL NEVER DIE

There’s a reason those classic Aussie Pub Rock songs from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s are just as popular today as when they were released… they’re bloody great songs!

Chisel’s iconic ‘Khe Sanh’ has taken on the aura of our surrogate national anthem. The Angels’ hit ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’ has become the Aussie equivalent of ‘Sweet Caroline’, still sung raucously by beer-fuelled fans all over our vast land, (with that quintessentially uncouth Australian addition to the chorus - “No way, get f…ed F… Off!”).

Decades after its release, the Hunters and Collectors’ ‘Holy Grail’ is still synonymous with our major footy codes, played constantly every Spring in the lead up to Grand Finals. And the band’s tender ballad, ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ remains a favourite to this day at weddings across the country.

AC/DC still win ‘Top 100’ radio contests, year after year with classics like ‘Long Way to the Top’, ‘Back in Black’, ‘Highway to Hell’ and ‘Thunderstruck’ as popular as ever.

Dragon, INXS, Australian Crawl… it was an incredible era when every pub on every corner featured live bands, and young Aussies filled those venues to overflowing, several nights a week.

The artist known as Savage Montage was one of those fans and he’s never lost his love of Oz Rock… as you’ll see when you play his music. He pays tribute to these music legends, overlaid with his own unique musical signature, singing lyrics based on his own life experiences.

THIS IS SAVAGE MONTAGE

Savage Montage adopted this name and the wolf imagery as his songs literally represent a ‘wild collection' (a savage montage) of guitars, vocals and lyrics, all conceived, created and played by a ‘Lone Wolf’ artist.

The softly howling wolf seemed a strong, yet focused and measured symbol this artist could relate to. Wolves are considered loyal, cunning, independent and strong... somewhat mysterious, but also dependable. They’re intelligent and become a true friend within a pack - but a friend to only a few.

Savage Montage is currently choosing to write in positive solitude, valuing the autonomy and anonymity. But like any lone wolf, he still occasionally yearns (softly howling) for the group dynamic of a pack. A Lone Wolf for now, perhaps… but he’s open to collaborations with other like-minded souls who feel the call of the wild through Rock Music. Maybe the right pack members will one day expand the musical picture or add colour to a black and white palate.

In a world that often values sameness over diversity, Savage Montage feels that an unwavering spirit and independent nature can set you free. It can also set you apart and the risk for an artist is surely in the release of, and subsequent reaction to, his (or her) original music.

A debut release may well be met with skepticism or criticism from those who cannot relate to the unique creation, but Savage Montage has ‘Something to Say’ that has to be said. There’s a saying that champions ‘feel the fear, yet do it anyway’. Well folks…. fear felt, action taken. Here’s hoping you like it.

THE SALIENT POINTS

  • Savage Montage is the son of British immigrants who settled in Perth
  • A self-taught musician from high school age (guitar and bass), his first and enduring love is Oz Rock from the 1970s through the ‘90s
  • Played bass in live bands in and around Perth while completing a University degree. Later got seduced into corporate life and passed up performing live. He continued to play guitar in the limited spare time you have as a salary slave!
  • Moved to Sydney and after many years of being embedded in the corporate world, a global pandemic provided an opportunity (while working from home) to dust off and finish some songs he’d written and toyed with over many years… and to even pen some new songs. 
  • 10 of those compositions (comprising Rock, Blues and a ballad) will feature on his first album, ‘Something to Say’ to be released soon.
  • Mike Caen (Jenny Morris, Dragon, Mental As Anything) has come on board to produce the first Savage Montage album, also adding drums to the guitars, bass and vocals all provided by Savage Montage.