Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pummel the Teragram: Frontman Matthew Baty says it himself deep into the set: “We have a stupid as fuck name.” Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs is certainly a moniker that jumps out at you when scanning venue calendars and festival posters, and it raises so many questions. Why seven pigs? Why an odd number of pigs, when six or eight would have been so much neater? And why pigs at all? What’s the significance of this farmyard animal?

It’s all by design, as Baty explained at the Teragram on Sunday evening. He invited everyone in attendance into a secret society. “Sometimes, a taxi driver will ask what you do,” he said (we’re paraphrasing a little). “You can tell him that you’re in a band and his interest will be piqued. He’ll say, ‘Oh, like Dire Straits?’ and you’ll say, ‘Umm, yeah, like Dire Straits.’ And he’ll ask what the name of your band is. Look him dead in the eye and say ‘Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.’ Then, in those moments, you’ll know what it’s like to be in this band.”

That’s why the name is, in fact, brilliant. It’s just so awkward and uncomfortable that it puts you off guard somehow. It makes you pause for thought. Sometimes it’s abbreviated to Pigs X7 for simplicity, but we think that’s cheating.

The Newcastle-Upon-Type, UK, band was simply phenomenal on Sunday evening. There was a sign on the door that read, “Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs play loud — earplugs are available at the bar on request.” Fair warning.

But it’s not just the volume; their psychedelic-doom-stoner noise has such a low-end rumble to it that it feels like they’ve made their way into the back of your own head and set up camp. It’s a visceral, unnerving experience that you genuinely, physically feel. So there’s that!

Also though, isn’t it wonderful to have a band from this end of the metal spectrum that has a genuine frontman in the vocal spot? Usually, stoner bands have a space-rock looking dude with extremely long hair up front, barely moving at all, preferring to carry the vibe of a heavy metal wizard.

That’s cool and everything, but the mustachioed Baty is something else entirely. With his bare feet, muscle shirt and ragged shorts, he struts and stomps around the stage like a drunk uncle at a wedding. He jokes about it himself, referring to his band as “the best value for money Queen tribute act,” though admitting, “this version of Freddie Mercury leaves a lot to be desired.”

Musically, they’re stunning. It’s not just heavy rumble — the songs are in there when you dig for them. After entering the stage to the sounds of AC/DC’s prophetic “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You),” they blasted into songs with names like “GNT” and “Rubbernecker,” inspiring the large crowd to kick off a circle pit.

“Ultimate Hammer” from last year’s Land of Sleeper album was a highlight if not the highlight, although “Ball Lightning” came close. If you’re not massively familiar with the band, the songs can blend but that’s ok too — again, this is about an overall experience.

The obvious influences all seem to be present and correct — Kyuss and Orange Goblin, Sabbath and AC/DC. We thought we could hear some Strapping Young Lad in the vocals. But the key is that they don’t stay in a stoner rock lane — punk, hardcore and other sub genres of metal all creep in. Ultimately, these Pigs are phenomenal.

Earlier, locals Faetooth earned some new friends with an impressive set of etherial, experimental doom metal that was both crushingly heavy and overtly melodic. The vocals switched from gentle coo to manic metal scream in a heartbeat, creating something dynamic and fascinating. We wan to hear more.

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pummel the Teragram: For more info, visit pigsx7.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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