Pig Iron - A Tale of Three Metal Heads!

It began in 1991 when Big Rich, then a member of York Band "Insomniacs" started looking for a new band to join. Most importantly it had to be a band playing heavy rock music, possibly even metal. He spent a year or so playing for a College band, who covered a wide range of rock and metal. They disbanded after about 18 months, but he'd already made contact with Pete, through an advert in a local music shop. Things had been on hold for a year. So in September 1992 he made conatct again.

Up until 1991 Pete had been playing bass, but made the switch to guitar to form his own band. Contact was made with Rich in 1991, but things didn't kick off until 1992 when Andy the drummer was due back from College. Over the next four years various singers and drummers came and went. The band ("Riffed") ended up with a female lead singer and a drum machine for their one and only gig (Pete's leaving party!). So the band split and they went their separate ways, at which point Pete switched instrument again - to drums. Returning to York in 2000, he was on the lookout for a band again.

In October 2000 Rich bumped into Neil while returning a life-sized Viking to the York Archaeological Trust's Warehouse (Don't ask!). They hadn't seen each other since University, almost ten years previously. The conversation quickly turned to music, and Rich mentioned his idea for Pig Iron, coincidentally he'd spoken to Pete only a few weeks earlier about finding a guitartist. Within a couple of weeks the first rehearsal took place, where six numbers that are still big favorites were put together. Despite very slow progress the band is finally playing regularly and on the lookout for gigs. Phone: 01904-659164 or Email: PigIron@withhindsight.co.uk

On Saturday 31st July the band played a special tenth anniversary gig at the Edinburgh Arms, Fishergate in York. Still with the original power trio line-up of Neil MacNab on guitar and vocal, Pete Rutherford on drums and Big Rich Hind on bass and lead vocal. The name comes from the steel industry - Pig Iron is a first rough casting of smelted iron, which is formed into ingots that look like suckling piglets! The set still contains the first eight cover versions they started with, which includes other influential British bands: Budgie, Saxon, Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest and Deep Purple. To celebrate the anniversary of their first live gig (supporting Rat Salad, a Black Sabbath tribute band) at Fibbers on 31st July 2000, they attempted to play their full set list from Ace of Spades through to Wheels of Steel, fortunatley fingers, vocal cords and closing time were on side!