One of the less predictable musical strands of the fragmented post-punk world of the early ’80s was a sort of arty funk. Pigbag were among the leaders of this hip new style.
Around this time, I started freelancing for Smash Hits. Later in the 1980s, the magazine would become the glossy, colourful chronicler of the glossy new pop era. But at this time, they didn’t care whether the people they were writing about were glossy or not: they’d cover anyone as long as they were in the charts.
When I started writing for them, they hadn’t settled into the irreverent, in-jokey style they later became known for. I didn’t do in-jokes anyway. I just wrote the same way that I did for the Melody Maker, but with shorter words.
I was a bit confused to read in my review that the Warehouse was underground. I’m sure I remember going upstairs to the venue. Can anyone help me out?
PIGBAG
Smash Hits APRIL 1-14 1982
LIVERPOOL WAREHOUSE
Pigbag are 'hot' at the moment and so are the audience — very hot. The Warehouse Club (originally a real warehouse and cosily underground like all the best clubs from the legendary Cavern to the legendary Eric's) is thronged with Liverpool's hipsters: ex-punks, disco fans, a Phil Oakey lookalike and even three genuine beatniks (fitting the band's image) with authentic beards.
It's a case of the numbers game. On stage are six men, two silly hats and one exceptionally tasteless print shirt. There are also twelve drums of varying shapes and sizes (this music is based on rhythm!) and organ, bass, guitar, trumpet and saxophone. There's not a vocal in hearing distance, however.
This means there's no focal point if you're used to hearing conventional songs.
Although the group's first single, "Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag", could fit happily on any dancefloor, their new LP "Dr. Heckle And Mr. Jive" is a lot more demanding.
In fact, it's the type of music that works better on stage than on record. Live, you can forget the difficulties of listening to music without words and just follow the rhythms with your body. There's the bonus of being surprised every time one of the instruments does something unexpected.
If you must be intellectual you can carefully chart the interplay of each instrument. The drums and bass are most important — the core of the sound — while the brass takes the place of human voices, carrying a tune or conveying a feeling. The scratchy guitar and eerie keyboards inject extra colour.
Pigbag blend elements of jazz and funk but the end result is a far cry from the tedium of what's usually called jazz-funk. They aren't as much fun as the more chaotic Rip, Rig & Panic or the more orthodox Higsons but they still whip up a sense of warmth that's quite distinct from the temperature in the club (which has been rising all evening).
And when they play "Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag", there's nothing for it but to dance.
And a football anthem ... https://youtu.be/dyo_QTqDG7k?si=vcNTVCpb4lNooLdG
The Warehouse was most definitely upstairs, a couple of flights IIRC.