The Babes are a hardcore punk band with bagpipes, formed in London in 2015 and currently based between Paris and Texas and active internationally. the band is known for its explosive blend of hardcore, crust, and punk, all driven by the unmistakable sound of bagpipes.

Originally formed as a three-piece featuring Mao Holiday (bagpipes, lead vocals), Matt Ren Ex (bass, lead vocals), and Marvin (drums), The Babes emerged from a sound engineering school in London, where the members bonded as self-described misfits determined to play what they called “happy punk.” Early rehearsals took place in a garage in Twickenham before moving to Overdrive Studios in Deptford, where the band refined its sound and prepared to take it beyond the UK.

Their journey began with the release of the debut single Tomorrow Seems So Far Away, followed by extensive touring across England, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, Lebanon, Mexico, and Colombia.

After a COVID-related hiatus and the tragic loss of their brother Matt Ren Ex, Mao Holiday reformed The Babes in 2023 with a renewed vision and a powerful new lineup:

  • Adrien de Mieux – drums (Skarface, The Toasters, Nausea Bomb)

  • Oscar Herbas – bass (Blitz, Scandals)

  • Jimmy Fox – guitar (Kriminal Pogo)

That year, the band returned to the road, playing 20 cities across 5 countries.

In 2024, The Babes toured Mexico, appearing at Ecatepunk Festival, Tianguis El Chopo, Oaxaca, and playing shows at Discos Venas Rotas, Gato Calavera, Discos Denver, and Bam Bam Records. This was followed by tours in Ireland and France, including a special performance inside the Catacombs of Paris.

2025 began with a mini tour across Mexico and Colombia alongside The Restarts, coinciding with the release of Pulso, their latest split album.
2026 brings even more: a new album and a return to the road, with tours scheduled across Japan, France, Switzerland, Spain, England, Wales, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand from March to May. Latin America is also on the horizon, with plans to return during the second half of 2026.

To date, The Babes have released three full-length records, all recorded and produced by Mao Holiday:

  • Greetings from London (2017) — an experimental release featuring only bass, bagpipes, and drums

  • Joint (2022) — a split with British punk legends Disorder, introducing guitar into the band’s sound

  • Pulso (2025) — a split with Colombian band Sin Pudor, widely regarded as the band’s hardest-hitting and most live-representative release to date

Throughout their career, The Babes have shared stages with legendary bands such as:
The Varukers, Icons of Filth, The Exploited, Disorder, Agathocles, Warwound, Anthrax, The Restarts, The Kids, Disturbance, Total Chaos, Omega Tribe, Blatoidea, Solución Mortal, Acidez, Human DogFood, Breakout, The Adicts, Mau Maus, Conflict, Hagar the Womb, Nausea Bomb, Lobotomía, Left for Dead, Jabul Gorba, Grand Collapse, Rebeld'punk, Rabies Babies, The Nilz, Vómito Nuclear, Excluded, Anti-Clockwise, and many more.

They’ve also performed at major festivals including:
Rebellion Festival (2018+2019), Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering, 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 others.

See you in the pit.

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)