Savages and Palma Violets

The promoters pulled off a real coup with these two hotly-tipped bands. While Palma Violets didn’t offer anything new, their enthusiasm throughout a set clearly based on their love of The Who, Oasis and ’60s garage rock, propelled by a powerhouse drummer, won through. The all-girl Savages’ sound was also not original, with the influence of Siouxsie & The Banshees apparent throughout. Singer Jehnny Beth was coolly aloof as she wailed over a backing that also recalled the post-punk sound of Pauline Murray and the raucous set-closer ‘Husbands’ was pure Patti Smith. Flavours of the month, but with substance.

The Haunt, 07 August 2012
[Rating: 3.5]
Steve Clements