SAVAGE REPUBLIC Tragic Figures lp 1982 Original EXPERIMENTAL Limited Numbered

$

33

MarsPlymouth Store


SAVAGE REPUBLIC Tragic Figures lp 1982 Original EXPERIMENTAL Limited Numbered




Description

  SAVAGE REPUBLIC

TRAGIC FIGURES lp 

YEAR: 1982

LABEL: INDEPENDENT PROJECT

CONDITION SLEEVE: NM- ( looks great , please see scans for better idea of condition )

CONDITION VINYL: NM- ( nice sheen , a very light surface mark or two but overall VERY NICE) 

RARE ORIGINAL PRESS COMPLETE WITH INSERTS AND CUSTOM INNER SLEEVE

LIMITED AND NUMBERED #2476

COOL SILK SCREENED SLEEVE

Biography

by Richie Unterberger

Figures of considerable repute within the Los Angeles post-punk community of the 1980s, Savage Republic grafted tribal percussion, industrial drones, and raga-like guitar lines together to craft an idiosyncratically moody sound with flashes of both desolation and eloquent grandeur. Capable of both harsh dissonance and shimmering textures, Savage Republic's guiding force was guitarist Bruce Licher, a founder and constant presence in their shuffling lineups. Alternating between cyclic instrumentals and quasi-industrial assaults with gruff, chanted vocals, their records were unavoidably inconsistent, but most contain some enduring highlights.

Savage Republic were founded by former UCLA students Licher and drummer Mark Erskine in the early '80s. Adding new members Jackson Del Rey, Jeff Long, and Robert Loveless, the group members originally called themselves Africa Corps, changing the name to Savage Republic just before releasing their first record in 1982. Exotic percussion would always play a big role in Savage Republic -- even in the early days they were using oil cans, metal pipes, and 55-gallon drums. Their early singles, and their debut LP Tragic Figures (1982), show the group at its least accessible, though there are hints of the more mysterious and melodic elements to come.

After some personnel changes (some members went off to form 17 Pygmies), Savage Republic regrouped with a more guitar-oriented sound. On Ceremonial (1985), the band shifted its focus to mostly instrumental material, usually piloted by oddly tuned guitars (the group sometimes used guitars with six identically tuned strings). They'd never wholly abandon those droning, angst-driven chants, though. Combined with the fact that their instrumental material wouldn't break much new ground over the course of the decade, that can make their studio albums uneven listening. In any case, Savage Republic were best experienced live, where they would burn trash cans of pampas leaves, play on Los Angeles' Skid Row, and use all sorts of unexpected objects for percussion in their quest to make each concert a unique event.

Savage Republic's albums, which were individually hand-letterpressed and numbered by Licher himself, received as much attention for their packaging as their music. Licher would perform the same services for other bands on his Independent Project label, even getting a Grammy nomination for his work on the first Camper Van Beethoven LP. Savage Republic were not destined to become nearly as big as Camper (not that this was ever their intent), and disbanded around 1990. A small reunion tour brought the band back in the fall of 2002, but the band only played a few random dates. After relocating to Arizona, Licher continued to run the Independent Project label, and design sleeves (his most famous work in that department has been for an R.E.M. Christmas fan club single). Musically, he resurfaced with the trio Scenic, which played entirely instrumental material that blends the exotic flavor of Savage Republic with influences from Ennio Morricone and Southwest border music.

Payment must be made with PAYPAL within 7 days of auctions end unless previous arangements have been made directly with me. If you have not been in contact within 10 days of auction. A non-paying bidder alert will be filed with eBay.
 

1. 7inch Shipped within the USA First-Class Mail is $3.50 add .50 for each addition
2. 7inch to Canada is $4.00
3. 7inch Worldwide is $6.00 Airmail add $1.00 for each addition
4. LP Shipped within the USA Media Mail is $4.00 add $1.00 for each addition LP
5. LP Shipped to Canada is $5.00 LP
6. LP Shipped Worldwide is $12.00 Airmail add $2.00 for each addition
7. CD Shipped within the USA First-Class Mail is $3.50 add .50 for each addition
8. CD Shipped to Canada is $4.50
9. CD Shipped Worldwide is $6.00 add $2.00 for each addition

Payment must be made with PAYPAL within 7 days of auctions end unless previous arangements have been made directly with me. If you have not been in contact within 7 days of auction. A non-paying bidder alert will be filed with eBay.
 

Vinyljunkie 1620  strives for 100% satisfaction. All items are shipped in brand new 200lb test Cardboard Containers and are packed with care. If you are unhappy about any of your tranaction please get in touch we are easy to work with.
 

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