The Babes are a bagpipe-driven hardcore punk band formed in London in 2015 and currently based in Paris, with an active international presence. The band is known for its explosive blend of hardcore, crust, and punk, powered by the unmistakable sound of bagpipes.

Originally formed as a three-piece featuring Mao Holiday (bagpipes and lead vocals), Matt Ren Ex (bass and 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 borders of the UK.

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

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 same year, the band returned to the road, playing 20 cities across five countries.

In 2024, The Babes toured Mexico alongside Mau Maus, appearing at Ecatepunk Festival and Tianguis El Chopo, playing shows in Oaxaca, and performing at Discos Venas Rotas, Gato Calavera, Discos Denver, and Bam Bam Records. This was followed by tours in Ireland and France, including a very special performance inside the Paris Catacombs at an event better known as Goonies Fest.

2025 kicked off with a mini-tour across Mexico and Colombia alongside The Restarts, coinciding with the release of Pulso, their latest split album.

2026 brought even more: a return to the stage with the Kamicatzze Tour '26, taking the band across Japan, France, Switzerland, Spain, England, Scotland, Wales, then going with The Restarts to Indonesia and Thailand, to end in November in Colombia, and Brazil — their most extensive tour to date.

To date, The Babes have released three full-length albums, 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 album, 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, Asphalt , Extinct Government, 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, 2022), Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering, Morecambe Festival, Convoy Cabaret (UK), No Dirty Rules Fest (BL), Libertad Fest (IND), Tianguis El Chopo (MX), Strive for Live Fest, Borderline Fest), Punks n’ Freaks, Goonies Fest (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)