In an age where “musicianship” merely means the quality of one’s auto-tune software, or
the accuracy of one’s AI platform, it’s a rare thing to witness a band quite like Ravagers.
One glance is all it takes to know this isn’t just a band but rather a straight-up, low-down
goddamn gang. Denim, leather, sunglasses… the sort of image that made the best rock
groups of late 1970s NYC the icons they were. But no, this ain’t the Lower East Side. This
group could have only slimed its way out of the chaotic, corrupt, crime-ridden birth canal
that is Baltimore City.
Messy, but sharp. Dangerous, but propulsive. You want to be a part of it but understand the
risks and repercussions right away. Here is a group that doesn’t smile, so much as it snarls.
It doesn’t sing so much as it sneers. Masters of their craft, these cretins play nicely but
never play nice. They don’t entertain their audience, they engulf it.
For over a decade, guitarist and vocalist Alex Hagen has been penning the sort of
nightmarish yet anthemic punk rock that captivates the youth as well as yesterday’s
heroes. Blending hard rock, ‘77 punk and arena guitar hooks – courtesy of lead guitarist
Matt Gabs (formerly of Fishnet Stalkers/BITERS) – the group vows to exterminate any poser
vermin that stand in their way. Clawing their way across countless U.S. and European runs,
Ravagers have shared stages and tours with the likes of legends such as The Damned,
Michael Monroe, The Adicts, Fear, and Supersuckers just to name a few.
The group’s two LPs, Badlands (2022) and On the Loose (2025) blend ‘77 punk and hard
rock with the addition of the macabre dark-wave sound Stiv sought in Lords of the New
Church. Backed by the rhythm section of Ray Peters and Sam Hariss, Ravagers drive the
relentless, white-knuckle force of Motörhead with the hook-driven melodies of Thin Lizzy,
Alice Cooper, and Turbonegro.
Ravagers: The band that bites back
