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HotWax
View on WikipediaHotWax are an alternative rock trio based in Hastings, consisting of members Tallulah Sim-Savage, Lola Sam, and Alfie Sayers. They released their debut album Hot Shock in March 2025.
Key Information
Members
[edit]Tallulah Sim-Savage, a vocalist and guitarist, met bassist Lola Sam at secondary school in Hastings when a music teacher placed them in a group together, and the pair became close friends.[1] As of 2017, they were members of a band called The Kiffs along with Honor Wilson, who would go on to be HotWax's initial drummer.[2]
Sim-Savage and Sam later met drummer Alfie Sayers at a music college in Brighton, forming the current trio in 2021.[3]
Career
[edit]In 2020, HotWax began self-releasing singles, including "Stay Cool", "Pat the Killer Cat", "When We're Dead", and "Barbie (Not Yours)".[4]
The band signed to record label Marathon Artists while publishing via Transgressive Records.[5] They then released their debut EP A Thousand Times in May 2023 with its lead single "Treasure", and subsequent EP Invite me, kindly. Then they had a gig supporting the Pearl Harts.[6] In spring and summer 2023, the band went on to perform at a number of festivals, including the Great Escape Festival, Mad Cool,[7] Louis Tomlinson's Away From Home Festival in Italy,[8] All Points East, and the Reading and Leeds Festival.[9][10] They then opened for Royal Blood that autumn on tour in the UK and North America.[11] At the end of 2023, HotWax were named one to watch in 2024 by The Independent.[12]
Artistry
[edit]
Sam grew up listening to the Beatles, Amy Winehouse, and Destiny's Child, while Sim-Savage grew up listening to country[13] and Lady Gaga, before developing an interest in rock music through Blondie's Parallel Lines (1978) album.[9]
Sim-Savage and Sam took inspiration from Karen O, Starcrawler,[3] and Yeah Yeah Yeahs when formulating their vision for HotWax. Sim-Savage primarily writes the band's lyrics.[1] The trio's debut EP A Thousand Times drew comparisons to The White Stripes, Hole, and Wolf Alice.[14]
In March 2022, John Robb of Louder Than War described HotWax as "ripping up the template and stages with a thrilling deconstruction of their grunge roots into a post-punk landscape."[15] In May 2023, Ed Power of The Independent identified HotWax as part of a phenomenon of young artists reviving 1990s indie rock trends, despite being too young to remember the decade. HotWax stated these influences were framed by their parents and mentors, but that they were not defined by them.[16]
Discography
[edit]Studio album
[edit]- Hot Shock (2025)
EPs
[edit]- A Thousand Times (2023)
- Invite Me, Kindly (2023)
Singles
[edit]- "Stay Cool" (2020)
- "Pat the Killer Cat" (2020)
- "Baked Beans" (2020)
- "When We're Dead" (2021)
- "Barbie (Not Yours)" (2022)
- "Treasure" (2023)
- "Drop" (2023)
- "She's Got A Problem" (2024)
- "Wanna Be A Doll" (2024)
- "One More Reason" (2025)
- "Strange To Be Here" (2025)
- "Tell Me Everything's Alright" (2025)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Loftin, Steven (19 May 2023). "HotWax want your attention now with their new EP, 'A Thousand Times'". Dork. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Brown, Lucy (27 November 2020). "Live Before Lockdown". Hastings Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ a b Williams, Sophie (11 April 2023). "HotWax could be Britain's next great guitar band". NME. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Simms, Bethany (9 March 2023). "Hot Wax - 'Treasure'". When the Horn Blows. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Paine, Andre (23 March 2023). "Marathon Artists and Transgressive Publishing sign alternative rock trio HotWax". Music Week. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Harrop, Mark (29 May 2023). "Live: The Pearl Harts / HotWax / Collars". Norfolk Rocks. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Mad Cool Festival 2023 day two: Sam Smith, The Black Keys, HotWax and more light up the Villaverde District". NME. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (25 May 2023). "Louis Tomlinson has announced the 2023 edition of his Away From Home Festival". Dork. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ a b Crudgington, Kate (17 May 2023). "Interview: HotWax". Get in her Ears. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Taylor, Sam (30 June 2023). "HotWax, The Goa Express and more have joined Reading & Leeds". Upset. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Dunworth, Liberty (31 May 2023). "Royal Blood announce new North American tour dates". NME. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Nugent, Annabel; O'Connor, Roisin (29 December 2023). "Ones to watch 2024: 10 musicians to look out for". The Independent. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ Rogers, Ellie (3 August 2023). "Introducing HotWax, the 18-year-old grunge enthusiasts named after an unsung overdrive pedal and making '90s alt-rock anthems for generation Z". Guitar World. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Jamieson, Sarah (1 August 2023). "HotWax: "We just write what we want to play live"". DIY. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Robb, John (5 March 2022). "New band of the day : Hotwax 'seriously brilliant teen band from Hastings add post punk invention to grunge grrrl anthems'". Louder Than War. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ Power, Ed (10 May 2023). "How Gen Z fell for and reinvented quiet-loud indie rock". The Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
HotWax
View on GrokipediaHistory
Formation and early development
HotWax originated in the coastal town of Hastings, England, where vocalist and guitarist Tallulah Sim-Savage and bassist Lola Sam first met as teenagers at secondary school in nearby Rye around 2017.[8][11] The two were paired by their music teacher to form a school band, initially called The Kiffs, alongside drummer Honor Wilson, with Sim-Savage on guitar and Sam on bass.[12] This early group laid the groundwork for their collaborative songwriting, which would carry over into HotWax.[10] The band officially formed as HotWax in 2019, with Sim-Savage taking on lead vocals in addition to guitar duties after the departure of The Kiffs' singer.[2][8] Wilson continued as the initial drummer, and the trio began gigging locally in Hastings and Brighton while self-releasing their debut single "Stay Cool" in November 2020 as a limited-edition lathe-cut 7-inch vinyl.[13] This independent release, accompanied by B-side "What's That Sound," marked their entry into recording and showcased their raw, garage-rock energy during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] Lineup changes occurred in 2021 when Wilson departed, prompting Sim-Savage and Sam to seek a new drummer to solidify the group.[11] They recruited Alfie Sayers after connecting with him at BIMM Institute music college in Brighton, where Sayers was a year ahead of them; the addition completed the current trio and shifted the band toward more serious performances, including their first joint gig supporting Kid Kapichi at Hastings' White Rock Theatre.[8][2] By early 2023, HotWax had signed to Marathon Artists for management and global recordings, alongside Transgressive Records for publishing, enabling professional support for their growing live presence and subsequent releases.[15][8]Breakthrough and touring
HotWax marked their breakthrough in 2023 with the release of their debut EP, A Thousand Times, on May 19 via Marathon Artists. The five-track effort, featuring the lead single "Treasure" alongside "All I Want," "Mother," "A Thousand Times," and "Rip It Out," showcased the band's raw, grunge-infused alternative rock sound and quickly gained traction in the UK indie scene.[16][17] The EP's launch was supported by live performances, including an EP release show in Brighton, building momentum for the trio's rising profile.[18] The lead single "Treasure," released earlier that year with an official music video directed by Becky Garner, achieved notable radio success, landing on the BBC Radio 6 Music B-List and earning a "Next Wave" spotlight on BBC Radio 1. This exposure helped propel HotWax toward wider recognition, culminating in the October 18 release of their second EP, Invite Me, Kindly, also via Marathon Artists and mixed by producer Alan Moulder. The sophomore effort included tracks like "High Tea," "Phone Machine," "Drop," "E Flat," and "She Don't Like It," further solidifying their reputation for energetic, hook-driven alt-rock. The two EPs were bundled for a limited-edition vinyl release, which sold out rapidly.[19][20][21][22] These releases fueled a busy festival season for HotWax in 2023, with appearances at key events that amplified their live prowess. They performed multiple sets at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, where their high-energy shows were hailed as standout moments amid the emerging talent lineup. The band also took the stage at Mad Cool in Madrid, sharing the bill with acts like Sam Smith and The Black Keys, and headlined the BBC Music Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds Festivals, delivering tracks like "High Tea" to enthusiastic crowds. These performances underscored HotWax's ability to captivate audiences with their punky, riff-laden sets.[10][23][24][25] HotWax's touring momentum peaked in autumn 2023 with support slots on Royal Blood's headline runs, beginning with dates across the UK and Ireland in October, followed by North American legs in November. These high-profile gigs, including stops at London's Eventim Apollo and Seattle's Paramount Theatre, allowed the band to hone their stage presence and connect with larger audiences, blending their chaotic energy with Royal Blood's heavy rock vibe. By year's end, The Independent named HotWax "one to watch" for 2024, praising them as the UK's most thrilling new live act.[26][27][28][29][30]Debut album era
HotWax announced their debut studio album, Hot Shock, on October 22, 2024, with a release date set for March 7, 2025, via Marathon Artists.[31] The album's lead single, "She's Got A Problem," accompanied the announcement, followed by "Wanna Be A Doll" on December 4, 2024, and the third preview track, "One More Reason," released on January 15, 2025.[32][33] These singles highlighted the band's raw, grunge-infused alternative rock sound, building anticipation ahead of the full-length release. Upon its arrival, Hot Shock captured the band's frenetic live energy in a collection of adrenaline-fueled anthems exploring themes of intense life experiences, such as abandoning fear, embracing chaos, and navigating adolescence's inner turmoil and self-discovery.[34][35] Recorded at RAK Studios and Joshua Tree, CA, the 10-track effort received critical acclaim for its unhinged expression of youth and blistering soundtrack to emotional highs and lows, earning a 79/100 critic score on Album of the Year and a four-star review from NME, which praised it as a "scuzzy, snarling" debut from future rock titans.[36][37][38] In the lead-up to and following the album's release, HotWax maintained their rigorous touring schedule, having performed over 150 shows in the two years prior to the album, including support slots with Royal Blood and Frank Carter as well as festival appearances. Post-release, they released the single "Tell Me Everything's Alright" on July 16, 2025, and delivered a standout performance at the TRNSMT Festival on July 12, 2025, in Glasgow, where their set was broadcast on BBC Scotland and lauded for its riotous riffs and unapologetic attitude.[39][40][41] The band continued touring with support slots for Nova Twins in October 2025 and a performance at Live at Leeds: In the City on November 15, 2025, followed by a show in Paris on November 24, 2025.[42][43] This era culminated in the announcement on October 20, 2025, of their Hot Shock headline tour starting late January 2026, in partnership with Music Venue Trust, featuring support from Jeanie and the White Boys across UK grassroots venues, with a £1 ticket levy dedicated to venue support.[44][45] The tour underscored the band's commitment to the grassroots scene that nurtured their rise, following earlier EPs that served as precursors to their full-length breakthrough.Band members
Current members
The current lineup of HotWax consists of three members who form the core of the band's energetic indie rock sound.[1] Tallulah Sim-Savage serves as the band's frontwoman, handling lead vocals and guitar while acting as the primary songwriter. Her contributions drive the band's songwriting process, infusing their music with raw, emotive lyrics and driving riffs that define tracks on their debut album Hot Shock.[36][46] Lola Sam plays bass guitar and co-founded the band alongside Sim-Savage in 2019. As a key architect of HotWax's rhythm foundation, Sam's bass lines provide the pulsating groove that underpins the group's live performances and studio recordings, notably contributing to the cohesive production of Hot Shock.[1][8] Alfie Sayers joined as the drummer in 2021, solidifying the rhythm section and bringing a dynamic intensity to the band's setup. Sayers' propulsive drumming has been instrumental in elevating HotWax's live energy, powering their high-octane shows and adding punch to the album's tracks.[46][8] Collectively, the trio's interplay has been central to the production of Hot Shock, released in 2025, where their collaborative approach fostered a raw, garage-infused sound, while their onstage chemistry delivers the high-energy performances that have garnered attention across festivals and tours.[36][1]Former members
Honor Wilson was the original drummer of HotWax, joining upon the band's formation in 2019 as it evolved from the earlier group The Kiffs into a trio focused on instrument-driven psych rock and funk influences.[12][47] From 2019 to early 2021, Wilson contributed to the band's foundational sound through intensive rehearsals and live performances, such as their November 2020 show at The Piper in St Leonards-on-Sea, which emphasized moody vocals, deep bass lines, and energetic drumming to build their raw, garage-punk edge prior to any official releases.[47] Wilson's departure in early 2021 led to the recruitment of Alfie Sayers as drummer, solidifying the current lineup after the band met Sayers at music college in Brighton and began pursuing more serious gigs and recordings.[48][46]Artistry
Musical style
HotWax's music is primarily classified as alternative rock, blending grunge, garage punk, and noise rock elements to create a raw, high-octane sound.[49][50] Their sonic palette features noisy, intense instrumentation, including distorted buzzsaw guitars, thumping basslines, crash-heavy drums, and feedback-laden noise bursts that drive a gritty, controlled frenzy.[51][50] Vocals deliver raw energy and guttural angst, often building through quiet-loud dynamics into hooky, breakneck choruses that emphasize immediacy and emotional force.[4][50] This style draws comparisons to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for its punk-infused swagger and to Pixies for dynamic shifts, while evoking Wolf Alice's admiration through its fluid, youthful intensity.[52][50][51] The band's sound has evolved from garage punk and psychedelic roots in their early work, characterized by improvised, pedal-heavy experimentation around age 15, to a more structured, vocal-led approach in subsequent releases.[46] Their debut EP A Thousand Times captured less detailed, youthful DIY production, while the sophomore EP Invite Me, Kindly shifted to rawer, drier tones with added lead guitar intensity.[52] By the time of their 2025 debut album Hot Shock, the production became more polished yet retained a live-recorded edge, distilling grungy hooks and noise elements into danceable, no-frills rock that balances minimal layering with spontaneous energy.[53][50] In live settings, HotWax performs high-energy, chaotic sets that prioritize volume, immediacy, and the trio's electric chemistry, often resulting in sweat-inducing, magnetic shows with over 150 gigs under their belt in recent years.[46][51] Their stage presence channels relentless touring momentum, blending confident strutting with raw, party-like vibes that capture the unfiltered essence of their recorded material.[4][53]Influences and reception
HotWax's members have drawn from a diverse array of musical inspirations, reflecting their formative listening experiences and artistic ambitions. Bassist Lola Sam cites childhood car rides with her mother, where she absorbed albums by The Beatles and Amy Winehouse, alongside Destiny's Child, as key early influences that shaped her rhythmic and melodic sensibilities.[10] Guitarist and vocalist Tallulah Sim-Savage, meanwhile, transitioned from country music and Lady Gaga's pop flair to '90s rock icons like Blondie, whose punk-infused energy fueled her guitar-driven approach.[4] The duo further credits Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the band Starcrawler for inspiring their raw, visceral performance style and vision for the group.[54] In 2023, HotWax supported their "dream band" Yeah Yeah Yeahs at London's All Points East festival, a milestone highlighted by Karen O dedicating "Maps" to the trio during the set, underscoring the mutual admiration and the younger band's rising alignment with garage rock revivalists.[55] This alignment extends to broader influences like Hole, whose album Live Through This profoundly impacted Sim-Savage, instilling a sense of cathartic intensity in HotWax's songwriting.[55] Critics have praised HotWax for channeling Hole-like ferocity, positioning them as torchbearers in a post-COVID resurgence of noisy, unapologetic rock that defies genre constraints.[55] A January 2024 Guardian feature spotlighted the band amid this wave, noting how the pandemic's disruptions empowered emerging acts like HotWax to prioritize bold, instinctual creativity over commercial pressures.[55] Their debut album Hot Shock (2025) received acclaim for capturing life's raw intensity—exploring touring's highs and lows, self-destruction, and existential angst through snarling lyrics and chaotic energy—while evoking '90s alt-rock's grunge-punk swagger, akin to Queens of the Stone Age's party-hearty edge.[38] Reviews lauded its scuzzy, fun-filled production as a vital injection of British guitar rock vitality.[38]Discography
Studio albums
HotWax released their debut studio album, Hot Shock, on March 7, 2025, through Marathon Artists in LP, CD, and digital formats. The album was recorded at RAK Studios with an all-female production team, including co-producers Catherine Marks—known for her work with Boygenius and Wolf Alice—and Steph Marziano of Picture Parlour, alongside additional production from Stella Mozgawa of the War on Drugs on select tracks.[56][57] Thematically, Hot Shock captures intense personal experiences through adrenaline-fueled anthems that explore chaos, catharsis, and the act of abandoning fear to embrace the unknown, building on the raw energy established in the band's preceding EPs.[1][58] Vinyl editions were released in limited colorways, including the signed 'Alfie' gold variant, the black-and-white 'Tallulah' edition, and the orange 'Lola' pressing.[59][57] The album's track listing is as follows:- She's Got a Problem
- Wanna Be a Doll
- Strange to Be Here
- Dress Our Love
- Hard Goodbye
- One More Reason
- In Her Bedroom
- Phone Machine
- A Thousand Times
- Tell Me Everything's Alright
- Hot Shock [7][60]