* En anglais uniquement
Something of an indie rock supergroup, the prolific
SAVAK feature past and present members of
the Obits,
Edsel,
the Cops, and
Holy Fuck. Their sound is brawny indie rock that leans heavily on guitars, in particular on 2017's
Cut-Ups, with horns and keyboards used to give the performances detail and texture on 2020's Rotting Teeth in the Horse's Mouth.
SAVAK are also capable of giving their music a melodic undertow while still sounding wiry on the surface, a balance that dominated 2022's Human Error/Human Delight.
Founded in Brooklyn in 2015,
SAVAK was named for the much-feared secret police force associated with the leadership of Imperial Iran from 1957 to 1979. Influenced by vintage punk rock, psychedelia, pub rock, and various stripes of world music, the group was founded by vocalist and guitarist
Sohrab Habibion, who was previously a member of
Edsel and
the Obits.
Habibion filled out the lineup with friends and colleagues who also had notable experience under their belts. Guitarist Michael Jaworski had played in
Virgin Islands and
the Cops; bassist James Canty's resumé included stints in
the Make-Up and
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists; and drummer
Matt Schulz divides his time between
SAVAK and
Holy Fuck.
In 2016,
SAVAK unveiled their debut album,
Best of Luck in Future Endeavors, which was released by Comedy Minus One Records. The cover art was designed by
Rick Froberg, who was
Habibion's bandmate in
the Obits. In 2017,
SAVAK were back with their second album,
Cut-Ups, released by the Ernest Jenning Record Co. Just a year later, they treated their fans to a third LP,
Beg Your Pardon, also released by Ernest Jenning. The prolific band delivered their fourth album, Rotting Teeth in the Horse's Mouth, in 2020. It was
SAVAK's first record since James Canty left the group; producer
Geoff Sanoff played bass in his place on several cuts, as did
Habibion and Jaworski, while
Anthony Roman from
Radio 4 provided the low end on "Listening" and "Bayonet." Other guests included
Scott McCloud (ex-
Girls Against Boys) and Michael Hampton (who played in Faith and
One Last Wish).
No fewer than six bassists took turns on the sessions for album number five, 2022's Human Error/Human Delight, with
Sanoff and
Roman returning to the rotation alongside
Matt Hunter (
New Radiant Storm King),
Douglas McCombs (
Tortoise,
Eleventh Dream Day),
Matt McQuaid (one of
Schulz's
Holy Fuck bandmates), and Nick Sewell (
Biblical). The LP saw
SAVAK in typically tough and angular form while still finding room for effective melodic hooks and horn accents. The band toured in support of the release, including dates opening for
Jawbox. ~ Mark Deming