About SAVAK (USA)

The New York City band SAVAK (pronounced “saw-vawk”) was formed in 2015 by members of Obits, The Make-Up, Holy Fuck, and The Cops. Their influences range from ’60s Texas psychedelia to British pub rock to early-’80s American hardcore, with some Zamrock and Chicha sprinkled in for good measure.

SAVAK connects the dots from Radio Birdman to Devo to Hüsker Dü to Fugazi, making stops for The Soft Boys and The Replacements along the route. To date they have released 5 LPs, an EP, multiple 7” singles, and a recent remix album (featuring remixes by Mogwai and Colin Newman from Wire)
The live band consists of Sohrab Habibion (Obits) and Michael Jaworski (The Cops) on guitars and vocals, with Matt Hunter (J Mascis + The Fog) on bass, and Jeff Gensterblum (Small Brown Bike) on drums.

“Superior twin-guitar slash action… adding Saints-worthy brass… [to] the prevailing Wipers-do-Joe Jackson aura. Four stars!” —Mojo
“A potent and pointed agitpop racket… which manages to balance the dark and moody with the catchy as fuck.” —Noisey/VICE
“Dread-fueled, post-punk angst tempered with catchy hooks… outstanding.” —Magnet
“Ranges from jangly, pop-infused punk in a Rezillos strain to more aggressive pieces, but everything here reverberates with an abundance of kinetic energy. This is just awesome.” —Jersey Beat
“Hooky and immediate. These songs have real staying power.” —Brooklyn Vegan

For those who need additional references, the band suggests Neu!, The Gun Club, Agent Orange, The Fall, Magazine, Love, Mission of Burma, Gang of Four, The Byrds, Television, dub music, spy movie soundtracks, international folk music, free jazz, spoken word, comedy, food, travel, books, and just trying to sustain a sense of humanity and good humor.