Biography
In 1988 the Australian ensemble Big Pig seized notice with the ferocious beats and scorching delivery that powered their sole U.S. success, “Breakaway.” Their visual identity proved equally striking, anchored by leather aprons that set them apart onstage and off.
Assembled in Melbourne in 1986, the septet comprised Oleh Witer on vocals and percussion, Sherine Abeyratne likewise handling vocals and percussion, Tony Antonaides supplying vocals and harmonica, Tim Rosewarne on vocals and keyboards, Neil Baker and Adrian Scaglione both on drums, and Nick Disbray contributing vocals and percussion. Witer, Sherine, and Rosewarne had previously worked together in Bang, though Witer pushed for a sharper, more exploratory direction that still carried forward Bang’s propulsive funk grooves.
A self-titled EP appeared in 1986 and was subsequently picked up by Australia’s Mushroom label, which added dance remixes of “Hungry Town” and “Money God.” The single “Hungry Town” climbed to number 14 on the Australian charts and was featured on the Young Einstein soundtrack. Recording sessions for the debut album Bonk began in 1987 under producer Nick Launay. A&M Records issued the LP stateside in 1988, where the flamboyant video for “Breakaway” entered MTV rotation and the track itself reached number four at home. The song later surfaced on the Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure soundtrack.
Despite the considerable momentum and media attention generated by “Breakaway,” Big Pig had already dropped from U.S. playlists when the follow-up album You Lucky People arrived in 1990. The band completed a round of live dates before ending its recording career.
Assembled in Melbourne in 1986, the septet comprised Oleh Witer on vocals and percussion, Sherine Abeyratne likewise handling vocals and percussion, Tony Antonaides supplying vocals and harmonica, Tim Rosewarne on vocals and keyboards, Neil Baker and Adrian Scaglione both on drums, and Nick Disbray contributing vocals and percussion. Witer, Sherine, and Rosewarne had previously worked together in Bang, though Witer pushed for a sharper, more exploratory direction that still carried forward Bang’s propulsive funk grooves.
A self-titled EP appeared in 1986 and was subsequently picked up by Australia’s Mushroom label, which added dance remixes of “Hungry Town” and “Money God.” The single “Hungry Town” climbed to number 14 on the Australian charts and was featured on the Young Einstein soundtrack. Recording sessions for the debut album Bonk began in 1987 under producer Nick Launay. A&M Records issued the LP stateside in 1988, where the flamboyant video for “Breakaway” entered MTV rotation and the track itself reached number four at home. The song later surfaced on the Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure soundtrack.
Despite the considerable momentum and media attention generated by “Breakaway,” Big Pig had already dropped from U.S. playlists when the follow-up album You Lucky People arrived in 1990. The band completed a round of live dates before ending its recording career.
Albums
