Warpig (band)
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Rick Donmoyer, Thomas "Dana" Snitch, Terry Hook, Terry Brett |
Area served | Canada |
| Products | Rock music |
Warpig is a rock group from Canada that gained recognition throughout the Ontario live music scene during the 1970s, sharing stages with bands such as Wishbone Ash, Savoy Brown, Manfred Mann, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Mahogany Rush.
Origins and debut album (1968–1973)
Warpig was established in 1968 by Rick Donmoyer, Thomas "Dana" Snitch, Terry Hook, and Terry Brett, all of whom had previous experience with Canadian rock ensembles including Mass Destruction and The Kingbees. The band secured a contract with the independent label Fonthill Records and recorded their first album in 1972 at Sound Canada studios, under the engineering of Ken Friesan. In 1973, London Records reissued this album featuring redesigned cover artwork and two tracks re-recorded at Toronto Sound Studios with producer Terry Brown, noted for his collaborations with Rush. The single "Rock Star" from this edition appeared on the RPM charts for seven weeks, reaching a peak position of number 52.
Disbandment and later revival (1974–1975, 2004–present)
Warpig dissolved after members Terry Hook and Dana Snitch left between 1974 and 1975. Subsequently, Rick Donmoyer toured with Ash Mountain. The group reassembled in 2004 following a resurgence of interest in their debut album on eBay. In 2006, Relapse Records officially re-released the self-titled album with digital remastering by Peter Moore (Cowboy Junkies) and fresh artwork created by Orion Landau. Despite these authorized editions, unauthorized bootleg versions persisted in circulation.
Thomas "Dana" Snitch died in March 2021, while Terry Brett passed away in July 2025.
Album
- Warpig (initially issued by Fonthill Records in 1972; reissued by London Records in 1973; subsequently re-released in 2006 via Relapse)
Single
- Rock Star/Flaggit (released by London Records in 1973, containing alternate versions of both songs)