By Echo Rebel UK
After decades riding the highs and lows of the British rock scene, Gone Savage are proof that “Dad Rock” isn’t just a label—it’s a badge of honour earned by resilience, wit, and a refusal to take themselves too seriously. We caught up with core members Ian and Will for a candid, hilarious chat about band life, new albums, lost teeth at gigs, and why you should never leave your spare guitar in the car park.
Beyond the Band: The (Sort-of) Rock ‘n’ Roll Lifestyle
Asked what keeps them busy off-stage, Ian is quick to reveal a life that, while lacking hotel room-smashing, is plenty colourful. “One of us is living the dream, one flies around the world, and two of us are regulars on the scene with name bands and tributes. As for me—hobbies range from tropical fish to motorbikes, making curries, keeping chickens, and gardening… all very rock ‘n’ roll!”
Will, on the other hand, balances outdoorsy adventures with guilty pleasures. “Love the sea, surfing, kayaking, wakeboarding, mountain biking… sounds fanatically healthy but really, it just means I can justify eating meat and potato pies, proper real ale, curries, sweets—you name it!”
Desert Island Discs: The Bands That Shaped Them
So which albums would they take to a desert island?
Ian chooses Breakfast in America by Supertramp (“the first album I ever bought and the one that made me want to write music”), Dirt by Alice in Chains (“re-ignited my love for hard rock”), and Operation Mindcrime by Queensrÿche (“rediscovering them was life-changing”).
Will’s picks are Strangers in the Night by UFO (“the best band in the world and one of my first albums”), Meteora by Linkin Park (“adds proper heaviness for when I’m in an angry mood”), and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac (“I couldn’t live without hearing Stevie Nicks’ voice”).
Chicken or Veggie? Gone Savage vs. KFC
On to more pressing matters: their go-to KFC orders.
Ian remembers the days of two-piece chicken (breast only!) with coleslaw, and only discovered the magic of gravy years later in Ireland—by which time, he admits, “I realised how bad the food was for me.”
Will, now vegetarian, only visits at the insistence of his son, opting for the rice bowl and corn on the cob. “Rock n’ roll!” he laughs.
On Dad Rock, Bad Jokes, and Embracing the Label
Do they bristle at the “Dad Rock” label? Not a bit.
Ian laughs, “Ten years ago I’d have answered differently, but now? I’m cool with it. Maybe the connotation is some dad rockin’ out like a wannabe, but… actually, that might have been us at our last gig! I just focus on loving my family—leave the bellend antics to others!”
Will is just relieved “we’re not called Grandad Rock yet,” recalling a time his daughter scolded him for a dad joke onstage: “I’d like to dedicate this next song to my late Father who was a roofer, so Dad… if you’re up there…”
How Rock Has Changed—and What Never Will
When it comes to the industry, both see dramatic changes since the early ‘90s.
Ian laments that “innovation has gone a bit too far; everyone’s trying to reinvent the wheel. For me, rock is bass, drums, guitar, vocals—the more stripped down, the better. But rock fans don’t change. They’re loyal and kind, and we owe it to them to keep it real.”
Will points to technology: “Back in the day, you needed record companies and studios. Now anyone can record at home and get great results if it’s mixed well. Promotion is all online, but building a local following still comes from live gigs. The camaraderie and buzz from playing and writing? That’s never changed.”
The Retrograde Sound: Modern Edge Meets Classic Songwriting
Gone Savage’s latest album, Retrograde, fuses big melodic rock with punk and alt grit. Was that planned?
Ian says not really: “I just pick up the guitar, mess around, see what hooks come out. Once I’ve got something, I send it to Will—he works his magic, polishes it up, and the result is the eclectic mix you hear.”
Will credits their young producer for injecting a modern feel. “I listen to a lot of heavy modern bands like Architects and Don Broco, which mix with our classic songwriting roots to give us a modern edge on our ‘Dad Rock’ sound.”
Influences Old and New
For Ian, “nothing’s changed since the first song I wrote—I just create what I hear in my head. I love the vocal arrangements from bands like Journey and Alice in Chains, and I take a bit from pop, too, for that radio-friendly edge.”
Will says, “I’m still a sucker for ‘80s harmonies and meaningful lyrics, but I’ve embraced modern vocal techniques. We always wanted Gone Savage to be different—even if we did look like Dokken or White Lion in the early days!”
Gig Mishaps and Classic Gone Savage Moments
No interview is complete without a wild gig story or two. Ian recalls a festival where the guitarist left his spare guitar in the car—“Of course, he broke a string and had to retune the guitar to avoid the missing one. Somehow he got away with it!”
Even better: “Once at a gig in Bury, I had to dash offstage to be sick, crashed through an emergency door, smacked my head on the truck outside, and still made it back for the end of the song. Not my finest moment, but memorable!”
Will offers his own favourite: “At a red-hot show in Oldham, an older bloke lost his dentures in the pit. I stopped the song, got everyone searching, and when they turned up, we just carried on. Rock and roll, eh?”
Lineup Changes and a New Groove
How do all the lineup changes affect things?
Ian admits, “It wasn’t fun. After 2014, it felt like we had more musicians than The Fall! But now, with Dex, Jon, and Don, the vibe is strong. Me and Will always kept writing, even in the chaos, and now we’re finally settled—album three is starting, album four’s nearly finished.”
Will adds, “We’ve always been the songwriting core. Now everyone knows their job and we can just get on with it.”
Songs With Meaning
Both find personal meaning in different tracks.
Ian singles out “Sunshine and Flowers” and “D.R.O.W.N.I.N.G.” for their blend of prog and metal, and credits past members for their creative input. “We even got Tracy Story, a fantastic US guitarist, to play on a few tracks.”
Will points to “World Gone Crazy,” written in the ‘90s about a dystopian future ruled by an oligarchy—“Sound familiar these days? Sadly, yeah.”
What Keeps Gone Savage Going?
Ian puts it down to sheer stubbornness and a love for the real band experience. “We’ve fought through so much, but the high points keep us going. Will once stepped in last minute for a crucial gig—without that, the band might have folded. When you find the right people who want it as much as you do, that’s what inspires me.”
Will keeps it simple: “We love what we do. But don’t underestimate it—running a band is a full-time job. You need to be tech-savvy, business-minded, ruthless and caring, all at once.”
Dream Gigs and the Ultimate Lineup
Both have a clear dream gig in mind.
Ian would love to support AC/DC (Bon Scott era) at Manchester Apollo—just missed seeing Bon by a year.
Will would pack the bill at Manchester Apollo with Gone Savage, Rush, UFO, and Architects—especially as he’s missed seeing Architects twice already.
What’s Next?
The band has gigs lined up for autumn: NWOCR Festival at KK’s Steel Mill (Wolverhampton), Steel Paws at Sidney and Matilda (Sheffield), and New Beach Legends of Rock in Kent. Album four is in the works, likely out in 2026, with more dates and new music coming soon.
Advice for the Next Generation
Ian’s advice: “Start simple. Don’t get hung up on having the perfect gear. Just do it, make mistakes, and have fun. If you’re not getting anywhere after a few years, maybe it’s time for another hobby! And remember: confidence on stage comes with time.”
Will is blunt: “Do it while it’s fun. If you stop enjoying it, walk away. Being in a bad band is worse than being in a bad relationship.”
Quickfire Round
Most underrated Gone Savage song?
Ian: “Touch Your God” (Life in Black and White)
Will: “Here Comes the Shade” (Retrograde)
Favourite venue?
Ian: Dungeon Gill in Ambleside (“rowdy crowds!”); dreams of playing Manchester Apollo or Academy 1.
Will: Live Wire Youth Music (Saltash, Plymouth)—fantastic for youth music, endorsed by AC/DC and Pete Townshend.
Pre-gig ritual?
Ian: None. “#boringbobgrover!”
Will: “A shot of Bells whisky before going on, for my late Dad, Fred, who got me into music.”
Whether you call them Dad Rock, Grandad Rock, or just rock, Gone Savage prove you can keep the passion (and humour) alive after all these years. If you catch them live, watch out for flying guitars, missing teeth, and maybe—just maybe—a few surprise pies.
