Savage Underdogs who have been known for their aggressive tail weaving folk oriented punk rock have grown into a new direction. Whether it is a sign of maturity or simply evidence of the rich taste in musical styles that is enjoyed by the bands most recent lineup, it has proven to be useful as they embarked on recording their second self-produced album in late October 2022. 

In a windowless room of a local rehearsal space, the band recorded what would be the first single to be lifted from the forthcoming album in a just a few hours.

“Walk all Night” sets the benchmark for the songs to come and over the next 18th months, lead guitarist and recording engineer Neil Gard worked to produce the bands first album release since their seemingly anti-authoritarian Ep “This is my Life” in 2021.

Oak and Stone releases in August 2024, the title of which comes from the song that features a collaboration with “Kelp”, Swanage’s very own all male the sea shanty choir. The song tells the tale of the quarry men who worked and lost their lives working the Jurassic Coast for the benefit of its historic mineral trade. The stone crusher Swanworth quarry at Worth is pictured on album cover.

Story telling has always been at the core of lyricists Mathew Williams’ writing and this album “Oak Stone” tackles timeless themes such as human compassion, social responsibility, love and nostalgia in a way that often cuts close to the bone with an observational style of writing that is can be accusatory and at the same time unabashedly self-critical.

Lead singer Mathew Williams delivers his lines against a backdrop of well recorded and well executed drums from Samual Cox, backing vocals and bass guitar from Greg Long with backing vocals and electric guitar from Neil Gard.