For fans of the college rock scene that emerged in the 80s, the name “The Pigs” will be a familiar one. It all started in Statesboro, Georgia, in the late 1970s, when Gary Fordham, Tommy Akins, Gary Mills, and Chris Lanier had the idea to form a band, despite not knowing how to play a single chord. Undeterred, the four friends bought guitars and started to learn. 

 

In 1981, Gary Fordham, Tommy Akins, and Chris Lanier moved to Athens, Georgia, the birthplace of college rock 'n' roll, and put up posters in search of a drummer. That's when they met Stewart Bird, and The Pigs were fully formed.

 

At the same time, Athens was seeing the rise of bands like R.E.M. and The B-52’s, who were kicking off the college rock movement. The Pigs were right there in the thick of it, practicing, writing songs, and releasing their first EP, "P is for Pig," in 1984.

 

The Pigs moved to Atlanta in 1983 and quickly made a name for themselves, landing a gig opening weekly for The Georgia Satellites. That same year, Gary Mills reunited with the band as the group’s manager, and The Pigs hit the road. 

 

Over the next several years, the group played over 1,000 shows from Miami to New York and everything in between. They played in the same circles as other notable college rock bands of the era, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Indigo Girls, The Replacements, They Might Be Giants, and Drivin' and Cryin' at some of the most famous venues of the decade, including CBGB, 40 Watt Club, The Roxy, and Jimmy’s Music Club. Despite the demands of touring, The Pigs continued to work tirelessly to produce their music, trading odd jobs and funneling all the money they earned back into the band. They worked with legendary producers like Don Dixon and John Keene, putting out another EP, "Ice Water Pockets," in 1987.

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Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and after years of touring, family obligations pulled the band members in different directions. But despite the physical separation, The Pigs always kept in touch and got together to play for friends and family whenever their busy schedules allowed. 

 

Now, with empty nests and a renewed fire in their bellies, The Pigs are back together–sans the late and great Chris Lanier who sadly passed away in 2022–remastering and re-releasing their entire discography, including fan favorites and never-before-heard tracks.

 

For anyone who was around during the golden age of college rock, The Pigs were a staple of the scene. For those who weren't, the band's return is a chance to experience the raw energy and creativity that helped define a genre. The Pigs may have started as a group of friends with no musical experience, but they've become a rock 'n' roll odyssey that spans four decades and counting.