Although technically an Australian group, Big Pig began in London around 1985. Lead singer Sherine had a dark alto that complemented the often depressing tone of the bands’ songs.
But vocals weren’t the half of Big Pig – The instrumentation was keyboards, harmonica and drums – LOTS of drums (played by three out of seven members), and the band members dressed in identical black industrial aprons onstage.
The trundling, tribal rhythms gave the songs the effect of steamrollers extinguishing their protagonists’ burned-out lives.
From the cruel metaphor of the opening Iron Lung to the weary conclusion of Devil’s Song, Bonk was one angry album.
Sparse musical textures, including group chants and that anomalous bluesy harmonica from Tony Antoniades, helped make Bonk compelling listening.
They enjoyed three top 50 singles in Australia with Hungry Town (October 1986), Breakaway (February 1988), and Big Hotel (July 1988).
Big Pig issued a second album – You Lucky People – in November 1990. They toured Australia to support the album, playing for the last time at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl in February 1991. They issued the single, King of Nothing, in March and disbanded soon after.
Sherine Abeyratne
Vocals, percussion Nick Disbray
Vocals, percussion Tim Rosewarne
Keyboards, vocals Tony Antoniades
Harmonica, vocals Neil Baker
Drums Adrian Scaglione
Drums Oleh Witer
Vocals, drums
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The trundling, tribal rhythms gave the songs the effect of steamrollers extinguishing their protagonists’ burned-out lives.
