Savage Republic
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | early 1980s in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Bruce Licher, Mark Erskine |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live recordings |
Savage Republic—initially known as Africa Corps—is an American post-punk ensemble originating from Los Angeles in the early 1980s. They gained recognition for their extended compositions featuring prominent percussion and sustained guitar tones. The band reassembled in 2002 with a refreshed lineup and continues to perform.
History
The band was established by UCLA students Bruce Licher (guitar) and Mark Erskine (drums), soon joined by Philip Drucker (also known as Jackson Del Rey), Robert Loveless, and Jeff Long. Prior to the release of their first album, Tragic Figures (1982), on Licher’s Independent Project label, they adopted the name Savage Republic. Licher was also responsible for creating the band’s signature hand-crafted, numbered album sleeves.
In early 1983, they issued the single "Film Noir," backed by "O Andonis," a piece composed by Greek musician Mikis Theodorakis, which attracted international interest.
The group disbanded toward the end of 1983 with their second album incomplete; Loveless and Drucker finalized it under the name 17 Pygmies’ Jedda by the Sea. In 1984, Tragic Figures was released in Europe through Sordide Sentimental, accompanied by the 7-inch EP Tragic Figure containing recordings from 1981.
Savage Republic made a comeback in 1985 with Ceremonial, followed by the Trudge EP in 1986 and a live double album in 1987. Brad Laner became a member before the 1988 album Jamahiriya Democratique et Populaire de Sauvage. Their subsequent studio record, Customs, appeared before their split in 1990.
Afterward, Licher continued managing Independent Project Records and received a Grammy nomination for his artwork on For Against’s debut album. In the mid-1990s, he formed Scenic alongside Loveless and James Brenner. Meanwhile, Laner went on to create the band Medicine.
The band reformed in 2002 featuring Licher and members from the mid-80s era: Greg Grunke, Thom Fuhrmann, and Ethan Port. Following one tour, Licher left the group. The remaining lineup released 1938 through Neurot Recordings in 2007.
Musical style
Savage Republic's sound is often categorized as industrial, combining tribal rhythms, mechanical drones, and guitar melodies reminiscent of raga music. Their distinctive use of unconventional percussion instruments such as oil cans and metal pipes was integral to their auditory identity. According to Trouser Press, their debut album fused industrial drone elements with deep bass lines, eerie screams akin to horror films, and unique tribal percussion. Upon their 1985 reunion, they incorporated stronger Arabic musical influences and later integrated Greek motifs. Their music has been described as "entrancing post-modern raga-rock instrumentals" and "dynamic noise-rock sessions."
Current members
- Thom Fuhrmann – bass, guitars, vocals, trombone, keyboards (1984–1989, 2002–present)
- Ethan Port – percussion, guitar, 12-string guitar, maracas, metal horn, vocals (1984–1988, 2002–present)
- Alan Waddington – drums, backing vocals (2006–present)
- Kerry Dowling – bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals (2008–present)
Former members
- Bruce Licher – guitar, 12-string guitar, bass, percussion, vocals (1980–1983, 1984–1990, 2002)
- Mark Erskine – drums, percussion, vocals (1980–1983, 1984–1987)
- Jackson Del Rey (Philip Drucker) – guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards, saz (1980–1983, 1987–1989) (died July 16, 2022)
- Jeff Long – bass, vocals, guitar (1981–1983)
- Robert Loveless – keyboards, guitar, bass, mandolin, percussion (1982–1983, 1985–1986, 2002)
- Greg Grunke – bass, guitar, vocals, dulcimer, recorder, cümbüs (1984–1990, 2002–2008)
- Brad Laner – drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards (1987–1989)
- Joel Connell – drums (2002)
- Sterling Fox – drums (2005–2006)
- Val Haller (Adrian Osborne) – bass, melodica (2007)
- Jack Housen – bass (2007–2008)
Touring and Live Contributors
- Kendra Smith – percussion, bass guitar (1981)
Featured Guest Artists
- Louise Bialik – vocals (1985; featured on Ceremonial, track "Andelusia")
- Nicola Pitchford – vocals (1988; featured on Jamahiriya, track "Jamahiriya")
- Bryan Taylor – drums (2007, 2022; contributed to Siam EP, 1938, For Free Ukraine!)
- Julia Zuker – violin (2007; contributed to 1938)
- Tara Tavi – yang qin (2007; contributed to 1938)
- John Crawford – shakers (2007), doumbek (2013; featured on 1938, Aegean)
- Stella Papandreopoulo – vocals (2011; featured on Aegean)
- Blaine Reininger – violin (2013; featured on Aegean)
- Emad Gabra – oud (2013; featured on Aegean)
- Hayden Ortiz – trumpet (2013; featured on Aegean)
- Adrian Carrillio – trombone (2013; featured on Aegean)
- Robert Verdugo – trombone (2018, 2022; appeared on God & Guns / Tranquilo, Meteora, For Free Ukraine!)
- Carlos Jimenez – trumpet (2018, 2022; same releases as above)
- Laura Mace – vocals (2022; featured on For Free Ukraine!)
- Gino Munoz – trumpet (2022; featured on For Free Ukraine!)
Studio Albums
| Release Year | Album Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Tragic Figures | Independent Project Records / Sordide Sentimental |
| 1985 | Ceremonial | Fundamental |
| 1988 | Jamahiriya Democratique et Populaire de Sauvage | Fundamental |
| 1989 | Customs | Fundamental |
| 2007 | 1938 | Neurot Recordings |
| 2012 | Varvakios | LTM Recordings |
| 2014 | Aegean | Mobilization Records |
| 2021 | Meteora | Mobilization Records |
Singles and EP Releases
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | "Film Noir" (7-inch single) | Independent Project Records |
| 1984 | Tragic Figure (7-inch EP) | Independent Project Records |
| 1986 | Trudge (12-inch EP) | PIAS Recordings |
| 1988 | "Viva La Rock 'N' Roll" (7-inch EP) | Independent Project Records |
| 2007 | Siam (CD EP) | Mobilization Records |
| 2009 | "Sword Fighter - Taranto !!!" (7-inch single) | A Silent Place |
| 2018 | "God & Guns / Tranquilo" (7-inch single) | Mobilization Records |
| 2020 | "1938 / Siam" (10-inch single) | Mobilization Records |
| 2022 | "For Free Ukraine!" (7-inch single) | 'Don't Sit On My Vinyl!' / Mobilization Records |
Live Recordings
| Year Released | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Live Trek 1985 - 1986 | Nate Starkman & Son / Fundamental |
| 1987 | "Live at the Melkweg 25.9.87" (cassette only) | Staalplaat |
| 1988 | "Lectisternium June 27, 1988" (cassette only) | Savage Republic Tapes |
| 1990 | 'ΝΗΠΙΑΓΩΓΕΙΟΝ: Live in Europe 1988' | Fundamental |
| 1994 | 'Recordings From Live Performance, 1981 - 1983' | Independent Project Records |
| 2022 | 'Africa Corps Live at the Whiskey a Go Go 30th December 1981' | Independent Project Records |
Compilation Albums
| Year Issued | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 'Complete Studio Box Set' | Mobilization Records |
| 2010 | 'Procession: An Aural History 1981-2010' | LTM Recordings |
Home videos
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Disarmament | Atavistic |