Savage Republic

Industrial band from Los Angeles, CA, active since the early '80s.
Formed by UCLA students Bruce Licher and Mark Erskine (the former also responsible for the graphic design), who were joined by Philip Drucker (a.k.a. Jackson Del Rey) and Jeff Long. The band was originally named but changed its name shortly before the release of their debut album, "Tragic Figures", in 1982. Long briefly left the band just prior to the release of Tragic Figures, at which point Robert Loveless joined, and several gigs were performed under the name Final Republic. Once Tragic Figures was released Long returned and the band continued as a five-piece until April of 1983, when Long left for good after the Mojave Exodus Desolation Center performance in the Mojave Desert. The 7" release of Film Noir / O Andonis was recorded without Long's participation, though he does contribute to the song Mobilization (from the Radio Tokyo Tapes compilation LP) which was recorded during the same sessions that produced the single. The band split in late 1983, during the recording of what was to be the band's second album. Del Rey formed 17 Pygmies with Loveless, which used some of SR's last recordings for their debut LP, "Jedda by the Sea".
Licher and Erskine restarted SR with a new line-up in 1984, enlisting Ethan Port and Greg Grunke, with Thom Fuhrmann soon joining in. They released the "Trudge" EP in 1985, and after Loveless rejoined, the album "Ceremonial" in 1986. Loveless then left again after the band's 1986 Trek tour, while Erskine had to leave the band after the Europe Trek 1987 tour, with Brad Laner taking his place, while Del Rey rejoined as well. The group released their third LP "Jamahiriya", in 1988. They left for a European tour later that year, which would be their last. SR gave their last show in February 1989, and disbanded. Later in the year though, a fourth LP called "Customs" was released, which the band had recorded in Greece while playing on their final tour.
SR returned in 2002 for a reunion tour, and went on to fully reform the next year with Licher not participating. Helmed by Fuhrmann and Port, they have remained active with a different line-up ever since, releasing four more albums.
Years active: 1980–1983, 1984–1989, 2002–present
Current members:
Thom Fuhrmann – bass, guitars, vocals, trombone, keyboards (1984–1989, 2002–present)
Ethan Port – percussion, guitar, 12-string guitar, percussion, maracas, metal horn, vocals (1984–1989, 2002–present)
Alan Waddington – drums, backing vocals (2006–present)
Kerry Dowling – bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals (2008–present)
Former members:
Bruce Licher – guitar, 12-string guitar, bass, percussion, vocals (1981–1989, 2002)
Mark Erskine – drums, percussion, vocals (1981–1987)
Jackson Del Rey (Philip Drucker) – guitar, vocals, percussion, keyboards, saz (1981–1983, 1987–1988)
Jeff Long – bass, vocals, guitar (1981–1983)
Robert Loveless – keyboards, guitar, bass, mandolin, percussion (1982–1983, 1985–1986, 2002)
Greg Grunke – bass, guitar, vocals, dulcimer, recorder, cümbüs (1984–1989, 2002–2008)
Brad Laner – drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards, tapes (1987–1988)
Joel Connell – drums (2002)
Sterling Fox – drums (2005–2006)
Val Haller (Adrian Osborne) – bass, melodica (2007)
Jack Housen – bass (2007–2008)