HybridPIG

What started as a pre-tour pub gig for the backline of Feast of Fiddles, has become a regularly gigging band in and around the Reading area.

Originally called The Dave Mattacks Quintet and strapped – pretty interesting group; the band then rejoiced in the name P.I.G. and local drummer Simon Price occupies the drum stool – as indeed he does for Feast of Fiddles when the good Mr Mattacks is unavailable. In 2023 the band was renamed HybridPIG following the loss of sax player Alan Whetton.

The rest of the band is made up of:

Dave Harding on bass has been around the local scene for years playing with early prog-rock bands and various barn dance band combinations as well as with the late lamented Roger Barnes in Jive Alive.

Martin Vincent plays guitar and again has been a Reading muso since Adam was a lad. With a background in classical and jazz, Martin is also a devotee of Hank Marvin and is often prevailed upon to knock out a few Shads tunes.

Simon Price is well known locally for his drum work with the many jazz line-ups that play regularly at The Retreat and he has done recording sessions across a very wide range of genres and with very diverse artists.

Hugh Crabtree completes the line-up on accordion and vocals and again has been a leading light in the so-called “Barn Dance Co-operative” since the late seventies. Hugh has performed with the Fairport Convention dance band and was the person responsible for getting Feast of Fiddles started.

The music is mostly based around folk-rock but original material, rock and pop covers and even a little community singing can come into a typical HybridPIG show.