Indie rock is supposed to feel a little dangerous. HotWax reminds you of that every time they play. Even in the studio on Hot Shock.
This isn’t a band that came together in a studio. Tallulah Sim-Savage (vocals, guitar), Lola Sam (bass), and Alfie Sayers (drums) have been playing together since their school days. They’ve built something that only comes from time in front of audiences, practice and shared instinct. Like Rocket, this English trio has the chemistry of long-time friends.
And this is where they get hard to pin down.
HotWax: Controlled Chaos
Defining their sound is almost hard to do. They’re labeled as Alt-rock, grunge and post-punk. But what does that sound like when mixed in a blender and poured out? That’s HotWax.
Their influences are all over the place: The Beatles, Blondie, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Amy Winehouse. Sim-Savage listened to country music growing up. Somehow it all works.
Nothing is manufactured about their music. It’s raw and powerful. Captured, not constructed.
Debut Album “Hot Shock”
I recently picked up their 2025 debut album Hot Shock, released on the independent Marathon Artists label. That eclectic history shows up all over Hot Shock. Heavy guitar and bass riffs. Lots of distortion and fuzz. Songs speed up, slow down, then take off again without falling apart.
As soon as the first song came on (“She’s Got a Problem”) my reaction was, “this could be Hole! Except with some The Donnas sprinkled in.”
As the album progressed, I found more influences with each song. “Hard Goodbye” feels like Sim-Savage channeling her inner Ellie Rowsell. If this song was on either of Wolf Alice’s first two albums I wouldn’t have batted an eye. Comparing any singer to Ellie Rowsell is a compliment of the highest order.
Two songs later, “In Her Bedroom” instantly reminded me of Nirvana.
HotWax: Their Own Thing
None of this is to say that HotWax are mimicking the artists I’m reminded of. This is a band very much doing their own thing. A band dragging raw, unpolished guitar music back into a scene that’s been flirting with sterility.
They’re often lumped into the UK post-punk revival, but that label undersells them.
They’ve got the thick, fuzzy guitar tones and heavy low-end of grunge, the tight rhythm section and forward-driving basslines of post-punk, and vocals that swing between detached cool and full-on snarl.
HotWax has built their reputation as a live-first band, with a high energy, almost chaotic stage presence and crowd engagement that leans more punk show than indie set. Even in the studio release of Hot Shock the recording feels like they’re trying to capture that live volatility rather than polish it.
Raw Energy That Won't Be Tamed
HotWax has already released a live session recorded at Rough Trade East, pressed as a limited edition. It’s on the way to my doorstep, and something tells me that’s where this band really lives. Look for that review soon.
Because Hot Shock makes one thing clear.
This isn’t about polish. It’s not about trends. It’s not about fitting into whatever version of indie rock is currently getting the most attention.
It’s about energy. It’s about unpredictability. It’s about a band that sounds like it could come apart at any second, and never quite does.
Indie rock is supposed to feel a little dangerous.
HotWax hasn’t forgotten that.
