"(LET'S MAKE) COMPELLING CONTENT"
AMERICAN SINGLES
Bio / Contact
BIO:
Los Angeles-based/Milwaukee-bred power pop rockers BIG MOTHER GIG returned in 2017 after a 20-year hiatus with “Almost Primed”, an EP of 6 hard-hitting songs praised by ALTERNATIVE PRESS, PASTE, NEW NOISE, IMPOSE, ALLTHINGSGO, SUBSTREAM, PURE GRAIN AUDIO and more. Recorded by Jeff Hamilton (Violent Femmes) and Dan Long (Local Natives, Spiral Stairs), the EP’s singles “Alvarado” and “Nametag” were well-received with specialty and college radio airplay and impressive streaming numbers topping 350K.
In 2018, the band prepped a series of singles. “The Great Heist”, released in January, was premiered by NEW NOISE and received critical acclaim while racking up solid streaming numbers driven by playlisting success. “(Let’s Make) Compelling Content” debuted on SiriusXM by Rodney Bingenheimer and quickly charted at #7 on the FMQB Submodern Radio Chart as well as #6 Artist and #6 Single on KKBB Specialty Chart.
BIG MOTHER GIG originally formed in 1992 in Milwaukee and the band played across the Midwest with The Magnolias, The Hunger, Chris Duarte, PunchDrunk (who later form The Hold Steady) and early acts featuring members of The Promise Ring and Braid. They combined raw punk (Dag Nasty) and Midwestern indie (Replacements) with hard rock (AC/DC). At their final show in 1996, a label showcase, Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner praised the band but they broke up when singer Richard Jankovich moved to New York. Throughout the ‘00s, Jankovich achieved success with Burnside Project (who’s “Cue The Pulse To Begin” was the theme to “Queer As Folk” and went Top 30 in Japan) and Pocket (who’s remixes for Radiohead and Beck were praised by Pitchfork, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan and others).
Since reforming, BIG MOTHER GIG has played with LUNA, Soccer Mommy, Peelander-Z , Alvarez Kings, The Yawpers, The Silver Palms, Gestures & Sounds, Pet Engine, Diana Meyer and more. New members include Mike Datz (Liz Phair), Albert Kurniawan (Graham Ulicny of The Faint) and Micah Lopez.
CONTACT:
Management, Press and Booking (Shoplifter)
Radio (HARD BOILED)
Licensing (Ocean Park)
Releases
(Let's Make) Compelling Content Single (2018)
Almost Primed EP (2017)
Transition EP (1995)
The Great Heist Single (2018)
Quintessentially Average (92-96) (2016)
My Social Commentary LP (1993)
Videos
Press
PRAISE FOR "THE GREAT HEIST" SINGLE (2018)
NEW NOISE: “A SURGE OF POWERFUL ENERGY…”
ALLTHINGSGO: “…BACK IN A BIG WAY…”
PUNKNEWS: “…FIRST NEW MATERIAL SINCE 2017…”
PURE GRAIN AUDIO: “…INDICTMENT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION…”
VENTS: “TRUMP-INSPIRED POWER-POP ANTHEM…”
NOISE BARRAGE: “SONG PREMIERE”
UNTITLED ROCK MAG: “NEW BIG MOTHER GIG”
PRAISE FOR "ALMOST PRIMED" EP (2017)
“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
Live
RECENT SHOWS:
4/16/18 – The Viper Room, Los Angeles, CA (w/PEELANDER-Z)
4/15/18 – The Lost Knight, Los Angeles, CA (w/The Silver Palms, Diana Meyer, VooDoo, Gestures & Sounds)
1/11/18 – The Moroccan Lounge, Los Angeles, CA (w/LUNA)
11/3/17 – Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI (w/LUNA, Soccer Mommy)
11/2/17 – Park West, Chicago, IL (w/LUNA, Soccer Mommy)
9/13/17 – Resident, Los Angeles, CA (w/The Yawpers)
7/28/17 – Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco, CA (w/ Sleeper Hold, TV Dinner)
7/14/17 – The Hi Hat, Los Angeles, CA (w/ Alvarez Kings, Yacht Punk)
3/18/17 – Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI – 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 – TicketMaster Showcase, Madison, WI (w/Framing Amy, Fuzzdolly)
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)
6/28/96 – Summerfest – Rock Stage, Milwaukee, WI (w/The Hunger, Chris Duarte)
6/2/96 – The Rave, Milwaukee, WI (w/Q, Swingset Police, Alligator Gun)
4/1/96 – SPOOFEST @ The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (as Metallica/Nirvana)
2/2/96 – The Globe, Milwaukee, WI
8/12/95 – The Unicorn, Milwaukee, WI (w/The Magnolias)
6/15/95 – RnR Station, Madison, WI (w/True Heart Susie)
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 (NYE)
12/29/94 – The Globe, Milwaukee, WI (w/Honey Child, Ulterior Motive)
11/3/94 – The Chamber, Madison, WI (w/Push On Junior, Mythos)
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/RubberFist, 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)
6/17/94 – Quarters, Milwaukee, WI (w/Jeff’s Cat Bob)
4/29/94 – The Avalanche, Milwaukee, WI (w/Blind Venetians)
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)
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