The Babes were hatched and raised in London, initially formed as a 3 piece band in 2015: Mao Holiday, Matt Ren Ex & Marvin. They play Hardcore-Crust-Celtic-Punk-DIY and are currently based in Paris. The boys met at IMW sound engineering school: a bunch of misfits wanting to play the "Happy punk" kind of music who grew up in a garage in Twickenham (South West London), and before long The Babes were delivered. They play snotty, two fingers in the air Hardcore Punk Rock with bagpipes. Currently bringing together Colombian, USA, and UK backgrounds and featuring members of punk legends Total Chaos and Blitz.
Our journey began releasing "Tomorrow Seems So Far Away" and a month later embarking on "The Babes Invade Mainland Europe" Tour, hitting England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. Sticking to our roots, we remained as a 3 piece band for over three years. "Greetings from London" our debut album, was a DIY effort engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered by Mao Holiday at IMW Studios (London). Our first year we did six European tours, rocked plenty of festivals, and kept the spirit alive despite the lineup changes.
On August 17th 2020 Matt Ren Ex passed away. He was able to record Joint, a limited edition split 7" vinyl colour with Bristol Legends 'Disorder'. In his honour, we also pressed 70 cassettes. After a hiatus Mao regrouped in 2023 with a new lineup: Adrien de Mieux on Drums (Skarface, The Toasters, Nausea bomb), Oscar Herbas on Bass (Blitz, Scandals), Jimmy Fox on Guitars (Kriminal Pogo) and hit the road again with "Fuck Work Let's tour 2023" adventure 3 weeks across France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, and Italy.
2024 started with a tour in Mexico, we played at Ecatepunk, Tianguis El Chopo, Oaxaca, and Bam Bam Records. Also visited Discos Denver where we will be releasing our future album. Next May 17, 2025 we start touring in France, we also have already dates in Ireland and many more you can take a look at our touring page.
Last but not least The Babes have been sharing the stage with The Varukers, Icons of Filth, The Exploited, Disorder, Agathocles, Warwound, Anthrax, The Restarts, The Kids, Disturbance, Total Chaos, Omega Tribe, Blatoidea, Solucion Mortal, Acidez, Human DogFood, Breakout, The Adicts, Mau Maus, Conflict, Hagar the Womb, Nausea Bomb, Lobotomia, Left for Dead, Jabul Gorba, Grand Collapse, Rebeld’punk, Rabies Babies, The Nilz, Vomito Nuclear, Excluded, Anti-Clockwise and many other bands.
The Babes have been playing at Rebellion Festival, Bearded Theory's Spring Gathering Festival, Convoy Cabaret, No Dirty Rules Fest (BL), Morecambe Festival, Tianguis El Chopo (MX) Strive for Live Fest, Borderline Fest (FR), Punks n' Freaks (FR), Día Internacional del Punk (MX), and many other festivals.
See you in the pit!
Mao Holiday
The Babes
XXX
Photo credits: Maciej Bąkowski
Top to bottom
*Matt Ren Ex: Bass, vocals
*Marvin: Drums
*Mao Holiday: Bagpipe, vocals
Original photo for album cover “Greetings from London” (2017)