The Porky Pig Express keeps on…….

“Rollin’ rollin’ rollin”!

As one door closes, so another one shuts, the saying goes, or something like that!

Just before Christmas 2008, and, after two years with the fabulous Bacon Boys, the Ant Hands “era” came to an end, we wish Ant well in whatever new adventure comes his way and thank him for his contribution to the Porky Pig story.

But, as ever, your intrepid Porky Boys are continuing along the train tracks of life, full steam ahead, ably assisted by the combined talents of Stephen G G G G G Gravil on bass, and Lee Carpenter on vocals. In fact, after holding many auditions, we are immensely pleased to have them on board the Porky Pig Express, already they are both making a great contribution to the continuing success of the band, and we look forward to many happy gigs with them over the years!

Gary Wade - Guitar

Gary looking cheery at The Cherry Tree

Gary is (surprisingly) the oldest member of the band, and his early influences were Blackmore,Schenker, Mick Ronson and Gary Moore.In addition to the above, guitarists who inspire Gary are Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and John Petrucci. Gary also listens to among other things : Dream Theater, Steve Morse, Nirvana, Ten, Sugababes, Nerina Pallot, Enya, ( in fact Celtic music of any kind ), and also Indian music - but only the traditional instrumental kind !!!

Gary's main interests / likes are : Cars, bikes, planes, music, good food, Pot Noodles, cats and all of the natural world. Gary doesn't much care for : Football, arrogance, C & W and RAP music, Marmite, Rose Turkish Delight and Parma Violet sweets !!

Gary has played PRS guitars since 1992, owns two 24 fret models a '93 Custom and a '91 Classic Maple Top. Since Jan 2006 however, several Ibanez RG Prestige and J Custom guitars have been making regular appearances at gigs and the PRS's are used much less often these days.

After using various Marshall amps and cabs for nearly 22 years, Gary converted to Mesa/Boogie amplification in 2004. Gary’s current gear as follows; Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Solo 50 Head, Mesa/Boogie 4x12 Recto Standard Cab (slant), TC Electronic G Major effects processor, Boss BCB-60 Pedal board, Jim Dunlop 535Q Crybaby Multiwah (chrome), Boss TU-2 Tuner and Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator. D'Addario 9-46 strings, Dunlop Jazz III picks and Monster Rock / Planet Waves cables.

Mark ' Funky' Gibbin - Guitar & Backing Vocals

"Funky” rocking out at The Deeping Raft Race, August 2003

Influences range from David Bowie and Alice Cooper, to Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Dream Theater, The Tubes, Stryper, Queensryche, the Wakeman family and Ayreon.

Guitarists that Funky admires are Mick Ronson (who else??), Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads, Arjen Lucassen, Sputnick Spooner and Roger Steen and a myriad of others too numerous to mention.

Funky likes ~ Samoyed dogs (proud owner of Ossie a beautiful pedigree Samoyed), old TV programmes such as The Munsters, The Invaders, Lost in Space, anything by Gerry Anderson (but especially Fireball XL5), and Hammer Horror films, well not just the horror films but most things “Hammer”, also a big comedy fan - loves Peter Kay, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Norman Wisdom, Les Dawson.

Funky dislikes ~ ???? He’s far too diplomatic to say!!

After years of playing Fender Strats and Patrick Eggle guitars “Funky” now plays Fender Strats and PRS guitars ~ most notably, from PRS, a flamed maple top custom, a mahogany classic with maple neck, a beautiful Singlecut with bird inlays, and from Fender, a limited edition 1993 Strat USA and a sonic blue Malmsteen Strat.

Amplification came courtesy of Trace Elliot for many years, gigging a 50 watt Speed Twin and 4x12 cab. Though, for the past couple of years has reverted to the tried and trusted Marshall TSL 60 head and 4x12 cab. For rehearsals, Funky uses his 1991 Marshall 2x12 JCM 900 combo. For FX Funky uses a TC Electronics G Major, and will shortly be using a pedal board with all manner of interesting gizmo's.

Paul Vjestica - Percussion

Paul at rehearsals, looking particularly ‘handsome’ October 2004

A bit of personal history:- Previous bands;Amber, The Dole, Harlequin, The Black Sky, D.O.G., P.C.D oh and Porky Pig.........lol !

Believe it or not, Paul, as well as being a drummer is also a real musician, yep, he attained (at some stage and by what means we are not sure of) Piano - Grade 5 - playing piano since 1966 aged 4

Drums 1971 - (hopefully he’ll get the hang of ‘em one day)

The handsome b******d in the band !!!!!!! (oh Lordy, there’s obviously no hope for the rest of us then!).

Guess what? Paul was once a WORLD CHAMPION! I kid you not, in 1997 Paul won the WORLD CONKER CHAMPIONSHIP, I bet you thought we were talking of an Olympian here!

Paul’s favourite bands include: Finntroll, Biohazard, Rammstein, Dream Theatre, Deep Purple, Dog Fashion Disco, Ayreon, Clutch, Dry Kill Logic, Hawkwind, Helmet, Jethro Tull, Lynrd Skynrd, Mushroom Head, Ozric Tentacles, Sepultura, Sick Of It All, Soilwork, Suicidal Tendancies, Superjoint Ritual, Tool, Anthrax, Blue Oyster Cult, Evenfall, Tristania, Danzig, Kerbdog, Motorhead, Dead Can Dance, Vaughn Williams, Ludovico Einaudi, Mozart, Thomas Tallis, Byrd

Paul loves his motorbike , his bike is a Raleigh Shopper, err no, actually it’s a 1995 Harley Davidson - Heritage Softail Classic - flstc (a mans bike, not a plastic toy, or so he tells us!)

Paul’s kit: 10 piece Pearl (and before anyone asks, he doesn’t know if its an export, he bought it in 1979 ‘cos it was the biggest and loudest in the shop).