Big Mother Gig

"ALMOST PRIMED" EP AVAILABLE NOW!

Acclaimed by PASTE, ALTERNATIVE PRESS, ALLTHINGSGO, IMPOSE, NEW NOISE, SUBSTREAM, THE REVUE, PURE GRAIN AUDIO, GOLDEN BOY PRESS and more!

Bio / Contact

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Big Mother Gig is an alternative rock, power-pop band based in Los Angeles.

Originally formed in 1992 in Milwaukee, BMG played hundreds of shows around the Midwest and released 3 albums of melodic and emotive punk-influenced rock and roll. Musically, they pulled from a small set of influences: Midwestern indie acts Replacements and Husker Du with a splash of classic hard rock like AC/DC and The Who. They built up a reputation for explosive performances in which the band was known to break instruments and heckle the audience. They even started an honest-to-goodness bar-room brawl in Northern Wisconsin – the only thing missing was the chicken wire.

At their final show in 1996, a showcase for record labels, Dave Pirner from Soul Asylum proclaimed them “energetic” while A&R reps expressed interest. But the band went on hiatus as singer and chief songwriter Richard Jankovich moved to NYC. Throughout the 2000s, Jankovich would achieve modest success with his indie electronica acts Burnside Project (who’s “Cue The Pulse To Begin” was the theme to Showtime’s “Queer As Folk” and went Top 30 in Japan) and Pocket (who’s Radiohead remix crashed servers when it was linked by Pitchfork).

In 2013, Jankovich sought to revive the long dormant BMG in an effort to get back to his roots so he began to connect with all former members and scene supporters. In 2017, after a 21-year hiatus, BMG returned with “Almost Primed”, an EP of 6 hard-hitting rock songs has been praised by Alternative Press, PASTE, New Noise, Impose, AllThingsGo, PlayTooMuch, Substream, PureGrainAudio and more. The EP features “Alvarado”, a punchy, punk-tinged indie rock banger with flippant social commentary infused in the lyrics and a huge hook that makes the song accessible in spite of it’s outsider message. BMG topped it off with a well-received hometown reunion show which they subsequently released as a Live EP.

Now based in Los Angeles, where Jankovich has lived since 2008, BMG is playing shows around the West Coast and working on material for a new album.

CONTACT:

Management (Shoplifter)
Press (24 West)
Radio (Pirate Promotion)
Licensing (Ocean Park)

Releases

Live @ Turner Hall, Mke, 3/18/17 (2017)

Spotify
Amazon
iTunes

Almost Primed EP (2017)

Spotify
Amazon
iTunes

My Social Commentary LP (1993)

Spotify
Amazon
iTunes

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Smiling Politely LP (1996)

Spotify
Amazon
iTunes

Transition EP (1995)

Spotify
Amazon
iTunes

Videos

Press

“…hits hard from the jump with infectious harmonized guitar leads cutting through a wall of fuzz…into a wave of a chorus sure to find it’s way into your head for the next couple of weeks. “
– PASTE

“Although it’s been years since the band has released music together, the song feels as if they never missed a beat. Full bodied bass and drums fill out the sonic-sphere while crunchy guitars and hooky melodies make “Just Fly By” a total ear worm for fans of classic post-punk.”
– PlayTooMuch

““Alvarado” is a song that boasts with energy thanks to a bouncy rhythmic pattern. Big Mother Gig take the established melodies and add to them with a cacophony of vocals that stick like an ear worm, it’s damned catchy. “
– New Noise

“Almost Primed is a six-track effort that fits into the current landscape of indie and alternative rock with a sound that could have easily been plucked right out of ’96 as the band came to a close. Picture Big Mother Gig on a bill with Jawbreaker and the Promise Ring and you’ve got the right idea.”
– Substream

“These guys formed in 1992, which gives them every pass as experts and purveyors of the genre, but they’re stepping it up now and adjusting their sails in the face of progressive headwinds, ready to take on a new generation of poetic inspiration.”
– AllThingsGo!

“their first single in twenty years, “Alvarado.” It’s a blend of punk, indie and alternative—what do you think?”
– Alternative Press

“Frantic and yet somehow soothing even before the vocals kick in, we’ve already got “Alvarado” on our frequent playlist. Well-thought-out, highly educated lyrics…have our ears begging for more.”
– Impose Magazine, November 2016

“They have captured the ’90s-era, punk-inspired rock, and they continue to present that time period’s urgency with smartly written lyrics. Recently with the popularity of bands like American Football and Beach Slang, this might just be perfect timing for Big Mother Gig to return.”
– The Revue

“20 years later the group has reconvened – “Alvarado” is apparently just the beginning with news of a full EP due in 2017!”
– PureGrainAudio

“…a pen-stroke away from transcending to the next level – Big Mother Gig are back with new single “Alvarado.”
Entertainment Rocks

“Wall of riffs and smooth pop center, is an exciting reminder of just how hard the ’90s rocked”
– Journal Sentinel

Live

RECENT SHOWS:
7/28/17 – Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco (w/ Sleeper Hold, TV Dinner)
7/14/17 – The Hi Hat, Los Angeles (w/ Alvarez Kings, Yacht Punk)
3/18/17 – Turner Hall, Milwaukee – 20-year Reunion (w/ FS Camels, Pet Engine, You’re Pretty, Slurr)

’90s SHOWS (Too many to list them all but here’s some highlights):
8/31/96 – Final Show, Madison, WI (w/Framing Amy, Fuzzdolly, more)
8/30/96 – Going Away Party @ The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (w/Slurr, Miss Trixie, Dorian Gray, True Heart Susie, Subside, Soma, Iklektic, Rustle Of Love)
7/20/96 – Heroes, Cudahy, WI (w/Captain Coconut, Iklektik, Sludgehead, Same As Me, more)
6/28/96 – Summerfest – Rock Stage, Milwaukee, WI (w/The Hunger, Chris Duarte, Shrine, more)
6/2/96 – Milwaukee Music Expo @ The Rave, Milwaukee, WI (w/Q, Swingset Police, more)
4/1/96 – SPOOFEST @ The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (as Metallica/Nirvana)
2/2/96 – The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (recorded for album)
9/10/95 – The Glocca Morra, Milwaukee, WI
8/12/95 – The Unicorn, Milwaukee, WI (w/The Magnolias)
8/5/95 – Harpos, Milwaukee, WI
7/30/95 – Quarters, Milwaukee WI
6/28/95 – The Chamber, Madison, WI (w/Secret Skin, Goofymagnoofy)
6/15/95 – RnR Station, Madison, WI (w/True Heart Susie)
5/25/95 – Quarters, Milwaukee WI
4/15/95 – The Gasthaus/UWM, Milwaukee, WI
4/1/95 – SPOOFEST @ The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (as Cheap Trick)
1/25/95 – The Chamber, Madison, WI (w/Feedbag, Bump)
1/20/95 – The Unicorn, Milwaukee, WI (w/Punchdrunk, Venison)
12/31/94 – The Pit, LaCrosse, WI
12/29/94 – The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (w/Honey Child, Ulterior Motive)
11/3/94 – The Chamber, Madison, WI (w/Push On Junior, Mythos)
10/31/94 – Conways, Milwaukee, WI
10/4/94 – Confettis, Racine, WI
9/30/94 – Bretts, Milwaukee, WI
9/23/94 – The Unicorn, Milwaukee, WI (w/Affy Bangster)
9/16/94 – Quarters, Milwaukee, WI (w/Bitter Jayne, Danger Prone Daphne)
9/15/94 – The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (w/RubberFirst, Rustbelt)
9/10/94 – The Unicorn, Milwaukee, WI (w/Compound Red, Big’N)
9/8/94 – Thurstons, Chicago, IL (w/Sticky, Guests Who Never Leave)
8/26/94 – Sherman’s Celebrity Club, Milwaukee, WI (w/RubberFist)
8/11/94 – The Globe, Milwaukee, WI
7/1/94 – Bretts, Milwaukee, WI
6/17/94 – Quarters, Milwaukee, WI (w/Jeff’s Cat Bob)
4/29/94 – The Avalanche, Milwaukee, WI (w/Blind Venetians)
4/2/94 – Somewhere in Kenosh, WI (w/Slurr, Defiant)
3/31/94 – The Unicorn, Milwaukee, WI (w/Blind Venetians)
3/17/94 – St. Patrick’s Day @ The Avalanche, Milwaukee, WI
2/12/94 – The Glocca Morra, Milwaukee, WI (w/FS Camels)
2/5/94 – The Glocca Morra, Milwaukee, WI (w/Happytown)
1/21/94 – Marquette Pub, Milwaukee WI (w/West Of Everywhere, The Predictors)
1/13/94 – Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI (w/Ivory Library, Scribble)
12/3/93 – The Unicorn, Milwaukee, WI (w/Truck Stop Love, Juggernaut)
11/13/93 – Tinker and Al’s Birthday Party, Milwakee, WI (w/Blarney Castle, Bus Driver Green, 3 Penny Opera)
11/6/93 – Conways, Milwaukee, WI (acoustic)
10/30/93 – Album Release Party @ The Glocca Morra, Milwaukee, WI (w/Sniper Q, Blarney Castle)
7/6/93 – Sherman’s Celebrity Club, Milwaukee, WI
1/13/93 – Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI