www.facebook.com/likesavagesband
Sounds like: Rock/Metal
From: Massachusetts
Questions answered by: Mark McKellar (Rhythm Guitar).
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Like Savages" and is there any meaning behind it?
I got started playing music because of a free program in my hometown actually. Haverhill Ma. got a grant or something when I was a kid and the city offered 10 weeks of guitar lessons WITH an acoustic guitar, all for free. As someone with very little athletic ability and not a whole lot of friends, it couldn’t have come at a better time. As for the name, we had a buddy once watch us rehearse in our jam room and said that we performed “like savages”. Before that, we played the “band name game” for about 6000 years. Worst part of being in a band is naming it.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
I feel like this question would be much better answered my Mike (vocals). You can’t help but take something away from every one of these songs, lyrically. He has a way of storytelling that is incredibly poignant and gripping. Overall though, I can say that the whole “Like Savages” vibe is that we are ALL like savages, in one way or another. To do anything "like a savage" is to do it beyond expectation. For us, music is what lights that fire. What turns us into savages For someone else it may be exercising, or cooking, or frisbee golf whatever haha. Everyone has something, the trick is finding it. Feeding it. Letting it live and just surviving in that moment. That’s what it is to live like a savage.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Loud haha. Imagine Tool, Chevelle, and 10 Years all sitting in a theatre watching a live performance of every one of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories. Through a VERY loud PA.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Tool - cause everyone needs a dream haha. Personally, I’m looking forward to hitting the road with some friends from other parts of the country. Our buddies Waking Tera down in NC are really blowing up right now, AWESOME band! And our homies out west in Quor just announced a killer tour with some other friends Sleep Signals, and both of those bands are amazing! We hope to get something going with all of them, and a bunch more!
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
In every way. From touring, to recording, even just rehearsing can be a struggle. But health and family come first, so we just try to operate the best we can within the current state of things. Its about being fluid. Things change, plans get cancelled or re-arranged. As long as everyone is healthy, that’s all that really matters.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Metal?
I feel like Metal more than a lot of other genres, is really taking advantage of technology. As an instrument, like with all this new trap metal coming out. Or even in terms of recording, demoing, and video production. I love seeing these metal bands that record covers of pop songs and release a video for it within like an hour of the song hitting #1 haha. It’s amazing, and brilliant, and it makes me wish I payed way more attention in television production class as a kid haha.
7. What's the current music scene like there in Massachusetts?
Re-building. I’m not gonna lie, Covid put us on the ropes. A lot of venues closed, a lot of bands broke up. And unfortunately we lost some amazing musicians as well over the last few years. One of which, our buddy Chucky Tester. He was such an amazing talent and incredible guy. That really hurt. But the Massachusetts scene has always been tough. Sometimes too tough, fighting amongst each other haha. But that’s all just passion. And all we can really do is push extra hard for those who can’t be with us. Like Chucky. I’ve had him on the brain a lot lately because Saturday night we are playing The Nest in Plaistow NH, and I’ve seen/played with him so many times on that stage. He’ll be there with us Saturday, I’m sure.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
PAY US MORE!!!
9. What’s next for Like Savages?
We’ve got “BIG THINGS COMING” haha. But for real though, keep your eye on our socials. We’re finishing off the year super strong! All starting with our next single “Caskets”, the third from our debut album “Peace Amongst the Pieces”, which should be out within the next month or so.
10. Any shoutouts?
WESTFALL RECORDING COMPANY in New York! These guys are AMAZING! We absolutely love the way our record sounds, and they all put up with SO MUCH during the recording of this record. Not the least of which, a global pandemic. Anthony, Ray, Billy, Stephen, these guys are the real deal and we are so grateful to have them on our team! Also, our incredible booking agent Sean Padilla from Happy Nomad Booking, and our PR team of Vicky and Zach from Metal Devastation PR and YOU MIKE, as well as everyone else at From The Depths Entertainment. We are so proud of this team, and can’t wait to hit the road LIKE SAVAGES!
