Song Of The Week: 4/22/18

Song: "Waste"

Artist: Bigwig

Album: "An Invitation To Tragedy"

Year: 2001

Place Of Origin: Nutley, New Jersey

Years Active: 1995 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Waste" appears to be about people who go through life with blinders on. These people are like robots with no minds of their own, never rocking the boat or never acting on something they believe in. They are puppets, just wasting their lives away. The vocalist is not about to stick his head in the sand like these people. He's ready to react, and to revolt if need be.

BIGWIG DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1997 - Unmerry Melodies (Fearless Records)
1999 - Stay Asleep (Kung Fu Records)
2001 - An Invitation To Tragedy (Fearless Records)
2006 - Reclamation (Fearless Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF BIGWIG:

Bigwig formed as a band back in 1995, hailing from New Jersey. After dropping a self-titled 7" single, Bigwig hooked on with Fearless Records for their debut full length album in 1997, "Unmerry Melodies". It was the band's second full length, however, that put them square on the punk rock map. 1999's "Stay Asleep" was great mixture of hardcore with skate punk melodies as shown with songs like "Sellout", "Flavor Ice", "Still" and "Friends". Bigwig was soon sharing stages with the likes of Pennywise, The Ataris, No Use For A Name, Less Than Jake, NOFX and Lagwagon to name a few. After recording "Stay Asleep" with Kung Fu Records, Bigwig would return to Fearless for their next two albums, 2001's "An Invitation To Tragedy" and 2006's "Reclamation". Those two albums definitely saw the band strike a heavier tone with much more technical playing. Unfortunately, "Reclamation" is still the band's last studio album. It's been more than 10 years since Bigwig has given it's fans more material, which sucks!! This does not mean the band has been dormant however. Bigwig has continued to tour throughout the years, whether supporting other acts or heading to various festivals. Vocalist and lead guitarist Tom Petta also keeps himself busy as a producer. He is credited with producing albums for bands such as Midtown and Only Way Back. Perhaps his focus has been more on the production end at this point and Bigwig is more of a hobby to get out of the house. Who knows? I'm hoping that the band heads back in the studio and gives us some more material because Bigwig is a really good band. If you like your punk hardcore, with technical playing then you'd like Bigwig. I'd say their style is similar to that of bands like Propagandhi, Good Riddance, A Wilhelm Scream, Strike Anywhere and This Is A Standoff. Solid, solid punk rock band. Now let's get a new fuckin' album already guys!!!

TEN BIGWIG SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Flavor Ice
2. A War Inside
3. Sink Or Swim
4. Sellout
5. Sore Losers
6. Still
7. Hope
8. Outer Rings
9. Last Song, Last Call
10. Cheers