Hog Hoggidy Hog

Hog Hoggidy Hog was a band from Cape Town, South Africa that built a long running career by pulling from punk, ska, and a wide range of other sounds, including traditional African elements. Active from 1995 to 2015, the group became known for unpredictable live shows, constant touring, and a style they jokingly referred to as Porkrock. Over two decades, they remained a fixture in the South African alternative music circuit and spent many years touring Europe.

Finding Each Other in Cape Town

The original lineup came together in 1995 and included George Bacon on vocals, Sean Snout on bass, Peter Porker on drums, and Amos Keeto on guitar. Each member arrived with very different musical backgrounds. Bacon and Snout played together in Leviathan, a band that mixed thrash, hardcore, ska, and punk. Keeto came from a surf and thrash group called Cerebral Frenzy, while Porker played drums in the death metal band Decimated.

Bacon, Keeto, and Porker attended the same college and also crossed paths through Cape Town’s surf scene and underground music circles. When their previous bands ended around the same time, they decided to start something new. They officially became Hog Hoggidy Hog on June 24, 1995, even though they did not expect the band to last very long.

Early Shows and a Scene Taking Shape

The band played its first show only months after forming, opening for The Springbok Nude Girls at The Purple Turtle. They famously did not settle on a band name until minutes before going on stage. While some members wanted to call the band The Dingleberries, Sean Snout chose Hog Hoggidy Hog, a name the group has never fully explained and often jokes about when asked.

From the start, the band avoided locking themselves into one style. Early material already included experiments with traditional African sounds, such as the Cape Goema inspired song Nkosi Concertina. Around this time Hog Hoggidy Hog began hosting punk nights at Arties Underground, helping a small local scene grow and making space for new bands to appear.

Recording, Lineup Changes, and First Momentum

Way Cool Records, an independent label founded by Hennie La Grange, signed the band with the original goal of recording their music. Before recording could begin, Peter Porker left to move to England. Robin Stehlik, previously of Leviathan, stepped in on drums. With most of the lineup now overlapping with earlier projects, the band leaned more clearly toward punk and ska while continuing to borrow from other styles.

The album Fishpaste & Vibe was recorded during this period. The single The Popstar Explosion was released on cassette in 1996 and sold out immediately. It also became the first South African punk song played on national radio. The full album arrived in 1997 as the first local punk release on CD. The single Jim later reached the top ten on the national rock charts.

Struggles, Setbacks, and Regrouping

Despite early success, the late 1990s proved difficult. Drummer Stehlik left before the album’s release, and David Myburgh, later known as Miss David Mybergie, filled in on drums. By 1998 the band lost momentum while writing new material, much of which never left the practice room. Substance abuse issues affected both productivity and stability, and the band was eventually dropped from their label and lost their rehearsal space.

Late in 1998, Bacon and Keeto moved in together and began rebuilding the band’s focus. New material emerged during this period, including songs like Time 4 Love and Just a Lie, marking a shift toward renewed purpose.

Porkrock, Horns, and Nationwide Touring

In 1999 Lee Lips joined the band and introduced trumpet, adding a new dimension to what became known as the Porkrock sound. The single Time 4 Love performed well nationally and helped the band expand beyond Cape Town. This period also connected them with other key South African punk acts such as Fuzigish and Leek and the Bouncing Uptones.

Hog Hoggidy Hog played their first major festival at the 3 Passes Festival in 1999 under chaotic circumstances that became part of band lore. In 2001 they released Driving Over Miss Davie, an album the band often described as messy but memorable. Several singles charted well, and the record became central to their live sets. That same year they completed their first nationwide tour.

Naked Shows and Another Turning Point

A 2001 photo shoot for Cosmopolitan South Africa led to a string of naked stage appearances, including a notorious show at the Bio Cafe in Cape Town where the entire band and much of the audience stripped during the set. The song Naked debuted that night and later appeared on the Naked EP.

Ongoing substance issues led to the departure of Miss David Mybergie in 2003. Mike Horne took over on drums, and the band continued recording and touring, eventually working closely with producer Theo Crous.

Mainstream Attention and European Touring

The album Oink!, released in 2005, marked another shift. Improved recording quality brought wider attention, even as the band remained conflicted about mainstream acceptance. That year they toured Europe for the first time, documenting the experience in the Hog Hoggidy Hog Tourope 2005 film.

European touring continued through 2007. During this period drummer Mike Horne announced his departure and was replaced by Sean Devey. In December 2008 the band suffered a major loss when former drummer Miss David Mybergie died. George Bacon delivered the eulogy at his funeral.

Later Records and Recognition

Method to the Madness was released in 2009 and dedicated to Mybergie. The album moved toward a heavier sound and performed well on campus radio stations. It received a South African Music Award nomination, and the video for Sherry Anne reached the top of local video charts.

The album was released in Europe in 2011, followed by more touring across the continent. Hog Hoggidy Hog continued performing internationally through 2014, maintaining a strong presence both at home and abroad.

Loss and an Uncertain Ending

In May 2015 lead singer George Bacon died shortly after a reunion performance. He was found in his car the morning after the show, which had been planned as the first date of a new South African tour. Following his death, the future of the band remained unresolved.

Members

Final lineup:

• Amos Keeto, guitar, 1995 to present
• Sean Snout, bass guitar, 1995 to present
• Lee Lips, trumpet, 1999 to present
• Ross McDonald, trombone, 1999 to present
• Sean Devey, drums, 2008 to present

Past members:

• Peter Porker, drums, 1995 to 1996
• Robin Stehlik, drums, 1996 to 1997
• Miss David Mybergie, drums, 1997 to 2003
• Mike Horne, drums, 2003 to 2008
• George Bacon, vocals, 1995 to 2015

Discography

• Fishpaste & Vibe (1997)
• Driving Over Miss Davie (2001)
• Oink! (2005)
• Method to the Madness (2009)