It’s a crossover nobody saw coming but it somehow makes perfect sense. The Bear’s Matty Matheson and Alexisonfire’s Wade MacNeil have launched a new band together.
It’s called Pig Pen, and yes, it already sounds filthy in the best way possible.
Matheson, better known to TV fans as Neil Fak, the tattooed handyman with a heart of gold is stepping out as frontman. Meanwhile MacNeil will be handling guitar duties. They duo have also managed to pull together a very solid lineup. This includes Daniel Romano on guitar, Ian Romano on drums, and bassist Tommy Major round out the crew.
Pig Pen’s first show is locked in for April 25 at Sneaky Dee’s in Toronto, and judging by the teaser clip floating around online, it’s going to be loud, heavy, and sweaty. The teaser’s short but rough-edged. There’s a whiff of chaotic hardcore in there, or at least something built for small rooms and sore necks.
MacNeil announced the project on social media with: “Just when you thought I couldn’t possibly join ANOTHER band. WE GO AND START PIG PEN.” The comment is fair enough too. He’s already stretched himself across Gallows, Dooms Children, and whatever else he hasn’t told us about yet. But teaming up with Matheson takes things in a totally new direction.
As for Matty, it’s his first foray into leading a ban. Though with his larger-than-life energy and roots in punk culture, it tracks. The guy’s been deeply embedded in hardcore scenes for years, even if most people know him for cooking shows and the chaos in The Bear’s kitchen.
No word yet on a full release or future shows beyond the Toronto debut, but if Pig Pen deliver on what they’ve teased, expect something fast, raw and very loud.
If you’re in Toronto, I would say you must go. If you’re not, well, join the rest of us in being mildly bitter and refreshing their page until more dates drop. I’ll get going with the homemade merch.
Tickets to Pig Pen’s first show at Sneaky Dee’s in Toronto can be purchased here.
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