Chi-Pig

Chi-Pig was a New Wave power trio hailing from Akron, Ohio. During the 1960s and 1970s, Susan Schmidt and Deborah Smith were active in several area bands, notably The Poor Girls, Cinderella's Revenge, and Friction. Around 1977, they teamed up with Richard Roberts to form Chi-Pig, taking their name from a local barbecue restaurant that sold both chicken and pork (whose sign featured a cartoon drawing of a pig with wings). The band was known for wearing flamboyant flamenco-style Latin-American outfits, even though this had nothing to do with their musical style. Despite active participation in the local music scene and national interest in the Akron area due to the popularity of Devo and Tin Huey, Chi-Pig was unable to land a record deal, ultimately folding in 1982.

Chi-Pig's music was made up of smart pop rock songs addressing the concerns of women living in a consumerist society with just a touch of humor on the side. Musically, Schmidt and Smith had developed a tight sound over their many years of playing together. Unfortunately, the band fell apart just as other female led groups such as The Go-Gos and The Pretenders were breaking out.

In 2004 the band finally released their album, Miami, consisting of material recorded in 1979.

Members

Richard Roberts - drums, vocals
Susan Schmidt - guitar, keyboard, vocals
Deborah Smith - bass, vocals

Discography

2004 - Miami (Chi-Pig)