Meet the Rockers: Backstage with the Fighting Pig Band
By Sharon Jaffray
July 2005
A typical Fighting Pig start to a gig is a humorous safety brief,
completely off the cuff and accompanied by a steady beat from the band.
Regular Trough goers treat it almost as a warm up before a work out. They
lazily stretch a few muscles and sway to the music in readiness for the
wall of sound that is about to assault their senses and keep them dancing
for the next two hours.
The four man band are an unlikely bunch with varied backgrounds who all
play a serious role within the community. Lead guitarist Gerard Robson is
Senior Flight Information Officer with the Falkland Islands Civil Aviation
Department, a former Councillor and school teacher. Drummer Pete King is
Government Secretary, lead singer Len McGill is Police Inspector McGill by
day while bass guitarist, ex Navy man and physics teacher, Tim Cotter is
involved in Infrastructure Development with the Falkland Islands
Development Corporation.
The Fighting Pigs known affectionately as The Pigs are older than their
Trough. The actual formation date is uncertain, but members believe that
the Fighting Pig Band was formed around 1981 by Pete King, Manfred
Keenleyside, Gerard Robson, and Simon Goss, who had all played together
previously in different bands such as Dhome, Junkroc and the Che Coat
Band. Len McGill joined up in 1983 moving from the hard rock band known as
Candlepower.
The Trough originated from an eight unit Portakabin complex used by the
RAF as a sergeants mess post 1982. A bargain for £50 in the early 1990s,
the band have since spent more than £50,000 converting it to a music
club. (No wonder they get a bit 'pigged off' about cigarettes and gum in
the carpets.) A recent extension to the building has added a separate
function room - as yet unfurnished. The Pigs plan to create a comfortable
area for those who are not into two hours of frenzied dancing.
Len confessed to being almost press-ganged into singing for the band.
His days in the Cathedral choir had ensured he could hit the right notes
and some gentle persuasion from the band resulted in him hanging up his
bass guitar and taking his place at the front of the Fighting Pigs. He is
still somewhat modest about his talent and is often heard to open a gig
with the comment, "… unfortunately the singer couldn't make it
tonight so I'm here in his place."
Len's most treasured memory with the band are the final moments of the
South West Atlantic Millennium party held on the football pitch. Singing
Brown Eyed Girl for the third time by special request he was barely able
to finish the song for the lump in his throat and the sheer emotion he
experienced as he watched the first sunrise of the millennium spread light
on one of the biggest parties ever to be held in the Falklands.
The band's desire to have their own venue was born from a dislike of
shifting unwieldy equipment in and out of the Town Hall and seeing other
people making money from their music. Six beers between them was not
considered to be a great return for a night of live music.
The first gig to take place in the Trough was on May 6, 1994 and
celebrated a certain lady's fortieth birthday. The format was slightly
different with a licensed bar and the Pigs playing to an audience of
around 60. However, having to shut at 1am wore a bit think with the Pigs
who like to stay up late and make a lot of noise. Drummer Pete King
stumbled on the solution during his travels one winter. Establishments in
Australia were using the bring your own refreshment format. The Fighting
Pigs took the idea on board, did away with the pay bar and Saturday nights
rolled into Sunday mornings on a regular basis.
Gerard, instantly recognisable by his trademark faded denim jacket, is
an accomplished guitarist, vocalist and songwriter who can belt out a note
perfect Dire Straits' Sultan of Swing one minute and ease the soothing
notes of Layla from an acoustic guitar the next. Described as shy and
retiring by some and a 'miserable git' by fellow band members once he has
his guitar plugged into an amp he is a force to be reckoned with. Some of
his songs can be heard on the popular Fag Ash Blondes CD, a project he and
Ray worked on with help from their friends. (I have heard that there will
be more from Gerard and the possibility of a Pigs recording too.)
Pete has been playing drums since he was a mere lad and has helped
other budding drummers in the Islands with their music. His love of music
and enjoyment from playing keeps him practising everyday. He has a varied
taste in music from jazz to rock and is unique in so much as he is the
only member of the band who admits to being partial to a bit of country
music or 'Piggin Country' as they refer to their particular brand of
country rock. No-one is sure who pens the Pig Vine, a humorous reflection
on events past and present (but it seems to reflect Pete's quirky sense of
humour) - an infrequent publication to be found on the website
www.fightingpigband.com. Those who hold special occasion private functions
are often presented with a personalised Pig Vine as a memento of the
event.
Tim Cotter has been playing bass guitar with the band for two years,
filling the gap when former bass guitarist Ray Robson suffered an accident
to his finger which has since prevented him from playing with the Pigs.
Time hails from Plymouth and has worked extensively with bands around the
UK. At one point in his varied music background he was getting a lot of
work because members of other bands were residing at Her Majesty's
pleasure.
The Fighting Pigs have hosted several famous musicians in the Islands
only late night club including Jeff Rich of Status Quo and Hank Wangford a
consultant gynaecologist / author by day and country singer songwriter by
night. Jeff was sponsored by the Shackleton Fund and Hank jointly by FIDC,
Tourism and the Shackleton Fund. Don Powell the drummer with Slade has
graced the Trough with his presence. Bob Pearce, a Southampton based blues
guitarist has visited the Falklands four times sponsored by the Pigs with
help from the Shackleton Fund and discounted accommodation from Mike
Rendell the former owner of the Malvina Hotel. Bob's backing band Blues
etc. also visited in 2003. More recently Scottish singer/songwriter Andi
Neate brought her own brand of entertainment to the Trough. Unfortunately,
due to the small community these are not profit making ventures and the
band are usually left with a fairly large tab to pick up at the end of the
visit.
The band have treated Chile to some of their music with a tour of
Santiago in 1996. In the UK they have played several venues in Swindon
when in 1997 they took part in the Task Force Reunion in Gosport. The
Supremes and Three Degrees were among bands who performed at the same
function.
Needless to say while these guys are leading rock star lifestyles the
wives are left with the less than glamorous tasks - namely entrance
control. Rosie King and Phyl Robson are the ladies you are most likely to
meet on the door at the Trough. The job's a tough one but fair and firm is
the order of the day as they collect the £4 entrance fee.
Naturally the band have seen some amusing sights from their vantage
point on the stage but they night they discovered the building was fitted
with an automatic brawler ejection unit is a favourite. Two guys started a
scuffle near the fire exit and fell against the door which promptly came
open ejecting them into the night air. A bystander promptly shut the door
behind them and the band didn't miss a beat… But then, do they ever?
Sharon Jaffray is Deputy Editor of the Penguin
News, and for many years was a farmer on West Falkland
First published in the Penguin News on 29 July 2005, and reproduced by
kind permission of the Editor
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