Longpigs
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Sheffield , England |
| Products | Indie rock music, albums, singles |
Longpigs were an English indie rock group that rose to prominence during the 1990s Britpop era. The lineup included Crispin Hunt (vocals, guitar), Richard Hawley (guitar), Simon Stafford (bass), and drummer Dee Boyle, who was later succeeded by Andy Cook. Hailing from Sheffield, they found commercial recognition with hits such as "She Said" and "On and On," as well as their critically praised debut album, The Sun Is Often Out (1996).
Early years (1993)
Initially, Longpigs signed with Elektra Records, but their progress was hindered when frontman Hunt endured a serious car crash that left him in a coma. Soon after, Elektra’s UK branch ceased operations, jeopardizing the band's career. The label demanded £500,000 for contract release.
Breakthrough period (1994–1996)
Their contract was subsequently purchased by U2's Mother Records. The band embarked on extensive tours, supporting acts like Echobelly, Supergrass, and Radiohead. Early releases under Mother—"Happy Again," "She Said," and "Jesus Christ"—achieved modest chart positions. They appeared at the 1995 Reading Festival, with "All Hype" featured on the event’s compilation album.
The fourth single, "Far," entered the UK Top 40, followed by "On and On," which reached the Top 20 aided by substantial radio airplay. April 1996 saw the launch of their debut album The Sun Is Often Out, which earned spots in Q and Melody Maker magazines’ top 50 albums of the year. Riding this success, they re-released "She Said," again securing a UK Top 20 position in June 1996, followed by "Lost Myself" peaking at No. 22.
U.S. market efforts (1997)
In 1997, "On and On" gained popularity in the United States, breaking into the Alternative Top 10 and appearing on the Mission: Impossible soundtrack (though not featured in the movie). The band toured alongside Echo & the Bunnymen and The Dandy Warhols and served as an opening act for U2’s PopMart world tour, where they introduced an unreleased song titled "Beyond Good and Evil". They also performed at the 1997 Glastonbury Festival; their live rendition of "Travel" was included on the official BBC compilation Mud for It. Additionally, "On and On" featured on the soundtrack of the 1997 film Face, starring Robert Carlyle.
Decline and dissolution (1999–2000)
Prior to recording their sophomore album Mobile Home, drummer Dee Boyle departed amid internal tensions and was replaced by Andy Cook. Released in October 1999 with singles "Blue Skies" and "The Frank Sonata", Mobile Home briefly entered the UK Top 40 but quickly lost commercial momentum. Following Mother Records’ closure in 2000, Longpigs disbanded shortly thereafter.
Post-breakup activities
Following the split, guitarist Richard Hawley toured with Pulp before embarking on a successful solo career; his albums Coles Corner and Standing at the Sky's Edge received Mercury Prize nominations. He also collaborated with Jarvis Cocker as part of Relaxed Muscle.
Simon Stafford joined Joe Strummer's The Mescaleros until Strummer's death in 2002, later contributing to Jarvis Cocker’s projects and other ensembles. Currently, he performs with Liverpool-based heavy-psych outfit The Bonnacons of Doom.
In 2004, Hunt lent his vocals to electronic band Mayonnaise’s album. By 2005, he became a member of Gramercy, who released a single that garnered BBC Radio 2 airplay before disbanding. Since then, Hunt has established a career as a songwriter and producer working with artists including Ellie Goulding, Florence and the Machine, Natalie Imbruglia, Gabriella Cilmi, Jake Bugg, JP Cooper, among others.
A comprehensive compilation titled On and On: The Anthology was released in 2013, featuring selections from Longpigs’ two studio albums along with b-sides and previously unreleased tracks.
In April 2017, former drummer Dee Boyle passed away at age 52; no cause of death was announced.
In April 2019, Hunt stood as a candidate for Change UK - The Independent Group during the European Parliament elections but did not secure a seat.
Studio Albums
- The Sun Is Often Out (1996) reached UK chart position No. 26
- Mobile Home (1999) peaked at UK No. 33
Compilation Albums
- On and On: The Anthology (2013)
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions | Associated Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | US Alternative | |||
| 1995 | "She Said" | 67 | – | The Sun is Often Out |
| "Jesus Christ" | 67 | – | ||
| 1996 | "Far" | 37 | – | |
| "On and On" | 16 | 17 | ||
| "She Said" (re-release) | 16 | – | ||
| "Lost Myself" | 22 | – | ||
| 1999 | "Blue Skies" | 21 | – | Mobile Home |
| "The Frank Sonata" | 57 | – | ||