Andy Warpigs

Last updated

Andy Warpigs was a singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona. They [1] were known for their sarcastic folk punk style, their signature travel guitar, and for playing unconventional venues and spaces as well as being a figurehead in the national DIY scene. [2] Warpigs starred as Dr. Frank-n-Furter in the stage production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Firehouse ArtSpace in Phoenix, Arizona. [3] Andy Warpigs died of an apparent overdose on May 30, 2021, at the age of 32.

Contents

Career

Warpigs began performing in 2013 at Phoenix and Tempe venues such as "Lawn Gnome Publishing" and "Long Wong's Dining." Their first few shows were events that grew out of Phoenix Comicon, playing for crowds waiting in line for Free Comic Book Day. Warpig's biggest show of 2013 came when they opened for Pat the Bunny of Tucson folk-punk outfit Ramshackle Glory at a benefit concert at the now closed Aside of Heart in downtown Phoenix. Warpigs had gained a backing band by early 2014, also named "Andy Warpigs", which they explain by saying "It's the same crap that Alice Cooper has been pulling for decades.") [4]

Warpigs released their debut album "Folk Punk Yourself" on February 11, 2014, on 56th street records. The album features the singles "Drown My Baby," "STFU," and "N bombs and C Bombs," the video for Drown my Baby was rated one of the "5 Must See Music Videos" by the Phoenix New Times, [5] and has received over 3,583 views as of August 15, 2015. [6] The Phoenix New Times declared Warpig's song "Love is a Stabbing Pain in the Dick" the "Best Love Song By a Phoenix Band" on February 14, 2014. [7] The Phoenix New Times listed Warpigs as one of the "14 Local Bands/Artists You Need To Hear in 2015". [8]

Celebrating their friendly personality and positive demeanor, YabYum West declared Warpigs to be Phoenix Arizona's "Miss Congeniality" on January 1, 2015. [9] On April 11, 2015, Warpigs performed at the 2nd Annual TrunkSpace Indie 500, [10] headlined by Kimya Dawson. Between 29 and 30 May 2015 Warpigs starred as Frank N Furter in the Firehouse's live action Rocky Horror Show. [11]

Personal life

They were gender-fluid, and used they/them pronouns. Warpigs died of an apparent overdose at age 32 on May 30, 2021. [12]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<i>The Rocky Horror Picture Show</i> 1975 film by Jim Sharman

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 independent musical comedy horror film produced by Lou Adler and Michael White, directed by Jim Sharman, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The screenplay was written by Sharman and Richard O'Brien, who also played the supporting role Riff-raff. The film is based on the 1973 musical stage production The Rocky Horror Show, with music, book, and lyrics by O'Brien. The production is a tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930s through to the early 1960s. The film stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick. The film is narrated by Charles Gray, with cast members from the original Royal Court Theatre, Roxy Theatre, and Belasco Theatre productions, including Nell Campbell and Patricia Quinn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Curry</span> British actor (born 1946)

Timothy James Curry is an English actor and singer. He rose to prominence as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), reprising the role he had originated in the 1973 London, 1974 Los Angeles, and 1975 Broadway musical stage productions of The Rocky Horror Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AFI (band)</span> American rock band

AFI is an American rock band from Ukiah, California, formed in 1991. Since 1998, it consists of lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backing vocalist Adam Carson, bassist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Hunter Burgan, and guitarist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Jade Puget. Havok and Carson are the sole remaining original members. Originally a hardcore punk band, they have since delved into many genres, starting with horror punk and following through post-hardcore and emo into alternative rock and gothic rock.

<i>The Rocky Horror Show</i> 1973 musical by Richard OBrien

The Rocky Horror Show is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O'Brien. A humorous tribute to various B movies associated with the science fiction and horror genres from the 1930s to the early 1960s, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of a mad transvestite scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter, unveiling his new creation, Rocky, a sort of Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man complete "with blond hair and a tan".

<i>The Art of Drowning</i> (album) 2000 studio album by AFI

The Art of Drowning is the fifth studio album by American rock band AFI. It was released on September 19, 2000, through Nitro Records.

Peter Blake was a Scottish actor. Probably best known as the character Kirk St Moritz in the BBC sitcom Dear John, by John Sullivan, his other high-profile moments came through his playing of a 'Fonz'-type character in Pepsi-Cola commercials which led to a hit record in 1977 "Lipsmackin' Rock 'n' Rollin", Andy Evol the disc-jockey in Agony with Maureen Lipman for LWT and in an episode of Taggart as Sgt. Bill Kent. He also had a long association with The Rocky Horror Show playing Frank-N-Furter over a thousand times between 1975 and 1994.

The music of Arizona began with Indigenous music of North America made by Indigenous peoples of Arizona. In the 20th century, Mexican immigrants popularized Banda, corridos, mariachi and conjunto. Other major influences come from styles popular throughout the rest of the United States.

Tsunami Bomb is an American punk rock band from Petaluma, California. They were formed in 1998 by bassist Dominic Davi, with keyboardist/vocalist Oobliette Sparks and later joined by drummer Gabe Lindeman. With vocalist Emily Whitehurst aka "Agent M" they would become a staple of Warped Tour and toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, going through a number of lineup changes until they disbanded in 2005 after releasing two full length albums and a number of EP's. In 2015 the band reformed with new vocalist Kate Jacobi and later guitarist Andy Pohl and has remained active since, touring and appearing on a variety of festivals.

<i>Sing Loud, Sing Proud!</i> 2001 studio album by Dropkick Murphys

Sing Loud, Sing Proud! is the third studio album from Boston punk rock band the Dropkick Murphys. Before the album's release in 2001, guitarist Rick Barton left the band. He announced James Lynch of Boston punk band The Ducky Boys as his successor. As well as Lynch, the band also recruited then 17-year-old Marc "The Kid" Orrell on lead guitar. The band also recruited a full-time piper, Robbie Mederios, and Ryan Foltz on mandolin and tin whistle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burton Barr Central Library</span> Library in Phoenix, Arizona

The Burton Barr Central Library is the central library of Phoenix, Arizona. It is the flagship location and administrative headquarters for the Phoenix Public Library. It was named in honor of Burton Barr, the Republican Majority Leader in the Arizona House of Representatives from 1966 to 1986. The library houses a collection of 1 million volumes.

Lydia is an American indie rock band from Gilbert, Arizona, formed in 2003.

The Trunk Space is an all-ages music venue in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. It was located at 1124 N 3rd Street since 2016, but announced a need to move after May 2024 due to cost pressures.

"Sweet Transvestite" is a song from the 1973 British musical stage production The Rocky Horror Show and its 1975 film counterpart The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The song is performed by the character, Dr Frank N. Furter, originally played by Tim Curry. The book, music and lyrics are by Richard O'Brien and the musical arrangements by Richard Hartley. It is in the key of E major.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show cult following is the cultural phenomenon surrounding the large fan base of enthusiastic participants of the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show, generally credited as being the best-known cinematic "midnight movie".

The Rocky Horror Show is a British musical comedy franchise that began with the 1973 stage performance The Rocky Horror Show. The stage performance mimics many horror B movie and science fiction elements. The stage show was adapted in 1975 as the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which quickly gained a cult following. After being successfully adapted to film, an "equal" was released in 1981 under the title Shock Treatment. While not an outright sequel, the film features many characters from the first film returning, as well as some cast members in different roles.

<i>The Meanest of Times</i> 2007 studio album by Dropkick Murphys

The Meanest of Times is the sixth studio album by American celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys. It was released on September 18, 2007, through their vanity label, Born & Bred Records, a division of Cooking Vinyl Records. The album was their first to not be released through Hellcat Records and their last to feature guitarist Marc Orrell, who left the band following the tour in support of the album. The picture on the album's cover was taken at Saint Brendan School in Dorchester, Massachusetts, close to Quincy, Massachusetts whence the band hails. Local kids posed in the picture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AJJ (band)</span> American folk-punk band

AJJ is an American folk punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, originally formed in 2004 as Andrew Jackson Jihad. Their lyrics handle themes of shyness, poverty, humanity, religion, addiction, existentialism, and politics. Singer/guitarist Sean Bonnette and bassist Ben Gallaty co-founded the band, and have remained its only constant members throughout. The band has released nine studio albums to date, with their most recent, Disposable Everything Else, having been released on June 14, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calabrese (band)</span> American rock band

Calabrese is an American rock band that is based out of Phoenix, Arizona. The band originally consisted of three faux brothers; bassist/vocalist Jimmy Calabrese, guitarist/vocalist Bobby Calabrese and drummer Davey Calabrese. In 2022 Jimmy left the band and was subsequently replaced by Argyle Goolsby, best known as the frontman of Blitzkid. Calabrese has been described as "Melodic, hook-laden, catchy, fun, Rock with a Punk attitude”. They have cited other bands such as the Damned, Alkaline Trio, Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Turbonegro, the Misfits, the Hives, White Zombie/Rob Zombie, AFI, Danzig, Type O Negative, and the Ramones as influences.

Doll Skin was an American rock band from Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The original band members met at School of Rock Scottsdale. Their sound blended a blend of punk, metal, alternative, and pop. Doll Skin has been compared to bands ranging from The Donnas to The Go-Go's to The Runaways. They have received press coverage in Alternative Press, Phoenix New TimesBillboard, Rock Sound, Kerrang and Bravewords.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Tank!</span> American punk band

Red Tank! is an American punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, United States that is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. They are known for their erratic sound and "high energy" performances which propel introspective, complex lyricism. They have been described as "caffeinated [punk]... perfect for wrecking a living room: a combination of soaring scream-alongs and ecstatic existential anthems."

References

  1. ↑ "Phoenix Friends and Colleagues Remember the Inimitable Andy Warpigs, Who Died Sunday".
  2. ↑ O'Connor, Erin. "First Friday: February 2014". azcentral.com. Arizona Republic, Gannett Publishing. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  3. ↑ Reardon, Tom (2015-05-27). "Transvestite Phoenicians: Get Ready for the Phoenix Music Version of Rocky Horror Picture Show". Phoenix New Times. Vol. 46, no. 22. Kurtis Barton. Voice Media Group. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Moses, Jeff. "Andy Warpigs Wants to Blanket the Valley With His Brilliantly Eccentric Folk Punk". The Phoenix New Times. Voice Media Group. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Moses, Jeff. "5 Must-See New Music Videos From Phoenix Bands". Phoenix New Times. Rick Barrs. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  6. ↑ Warpigs, Andy. "Drown My Baby - Andy Warpigs - Folk Punk Yourself (Official Music Video)". Youtube. 56th Street Records. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  7. ↑ Moses, Jeff. "The 10 Best Love Songs By Phoenix Bands". Phoenix New Times. Rick Barrs. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  8. ↑ New Times, Phoenix. "14 Local Bands/Artists You Need to Hear in 2014". Phoenix New times. Rick Barrs. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Yabyum (January 2015). "Miss Congeniality". Yabyumwest.com. Yabyum. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  10. ↑ MP, Mullarkey. "2nd Annual Indie 500 - Celebrating 11 Years Of The Trunk Space". The Trunk Space.com. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Dominic, Serene (May 28, 2015). "Plugging into Phoenix: Rocky Horror at the Firehouse". Arizona Republic. Gannett Corporation. AZ Central. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Masley, Ed. "Andy Warpigs 'was Phoenix DIY music.' Remembering a folk-punk legend, who died at 32". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.