Chi-Pig
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 in Akron, Ohio, United States |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Akron , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Chi-Pig was a new wave power trio originating from Akron, Ohio that formed in 1977.
Prior to Chi-Pig
During the 1960s and 1970s, Susan Schmidt and Deborah Smith (later Smith-Cahan) were involved in multiple bands around Akron, including The Poor Girls, Cinderella's Revenge, and Friction. The Poor Girls, established in 1965 at Litchfield Junior High School, hold the distinction of being Akron’s earliest notable all-female rock group. They achieved local acclaim by opening for prominent acts such as Cream and Steppenwolf. The band dissolved in 1969. Throughout the 1970s, Schmidt and Smith remained active in various musical projects, collaborating with artists like Peter Laughner.
Formation and Career of Chi-Pig
In 1977, Schmidt and Smith teamed up with Richard Roberts to create Chi-Pig, a name inspired by a nearby barbecue restaurant famous for its chicken and pork dishes. The band distinguished themselves with flashy flamenco-inspired Latin American costumes that contrasted their new wave musical style.
Chi-Pig issued the single "Bountiful Living" backed with "Ring Around the Collar" in 1978, featuring lyrics penned by Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh. Additionally, Schmidt and Smith contributed as co-writers to Devo’s 1980 song "Gates of Steel." Despite gaining recognition within Akron’s burgeoning music scene—dominated by groups such as Devo and Tin Huey—Chi-Pig was unable to secure a recording contract and ultimately disbanded in 1981. In 1979, they recorded an album at Criteria Studios in Miami with Bruce Hensal; however, this work was not released until 2004 when it appeared on a CD that combined these sessions with earlier tracks like "Apu-Api (Help Me)" from the Stiff Records compilation The Akron Compilation.
Their posthumous album, Miami, received praise for its innovative sound that was ahead of its era.
Chi-Pig’s intelligent pop-rock compositions often explored women's experiences within consumer culture through nuanced humor. The strong musical synergy between Schmidt and Smith was evident due to their long history of collaboration. Unfortunately, the group dissolved just before female-led bands such as The Go-Go's and The Pretenders achieved mainstream success.
In 2005, Chi-Pig was featured in the PBS documentary If You're Not Dead, Play, which examined the impact of the Akron Sound on punk and new wave music during the 1980s.
Their song "Bountiful Living" was also included on the soundtrack of the Klaus Nomi documentary The Nomi Song released in 2004.
Subsequent Endeavors
Susan Schmidt and Deborah Smith from Chi-Pig co-wrote Devo’s track "Gates of Steel" alongside Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh. After her music career, Smith pursued law professionally. Meanwhile, Schmidt (now Susan Schmidt-Horning) earned a doctorate in History from Case Western Reserve University and held teaching positions at institutions including the Cleveland Institute of Art, Case Western Reserve University, and later at St. John's University in Queens, New York. Schmidt-Horning has authored numerous publications focusing on music and technology; her debut book, Chasing Sound, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Members
- Richard Roberts – vocals, drums
- Susan Schmidt – guitar, vocals, keyboard
- Deborah Smith – vocals, bass
Albums
- Miami (2004), released by Chi-Pig
Singles
- "Bountiful Living"/"Ring Around the Collar" (1978), issued by Chi-Pig
Compilation appearances
- "Apu Api" featured on Akron Compilation (1978), under Stiff Records