THE PORK DUKES
HISTORY
Formed in 1976, the Pork Dukes were ruder than the Sex Pistols, but didn’t achieve the Pistols’ notoriety. Playing incognito, there were rumours the Pork Dukes featured Keith Moon on vocals, members of Led Zeppelin, The Rezillos, Tenpole Tudor, Steeleye Span and even Dudley Moore. Only some of this was true.
The Pork Dukes released their first single ‘Bend & Flush’ in the heady summer of 1977, and the rude content and cover of the single helped it sell over 20,000 copies. Although the notorious Pork Dukes had three UK indie hit singles and two album releases, they received no radio airplay. That’s not surprising, because the band offended society with sexy song titles, like: Throbbing Gristle; Making Bacon, My Mother Gave Me A Gun For Xmas, I Like Your Big Tits, Let’s See If It Fits; and Telephone Masturbator.
The late, legendary UK DJ John Peel, on his Radio One show, remarked that “the Pork Dukes would have hits with their infuriating catchy singles, were they not so manifestly unbroadcastable!”
But even a nod of approval from Elton John at the time didn’t help: the curiosity surrounding the Pork Dukes afforded them cult status but after releasing two albums the band split in 1979.
In the last four years since the band has reformed, three re-released albums have been followed swiftly by a new single, mostly featuring artwork by the renowned UK low-brow fetish artist Vince Ray. The single, ‘Pop Stars’, was produced by Kid Krupa, the guitarist from 1970s band The Revillos, shortly before he died this year. And now the band’s merchandise – designed by UK low-brow fetish artist Vince Ray - has become very collectible.
Clearly, since the heady days of punk a number of people could lay claim to being the rudest singer/band. But no-one does it with the panache, humour and fun of the Pork Dukes. The band has a tongue-in-cheek, punk-fuelled sing-a-long live act that captures the imagination of both sexes – providing you’re open-minded and like a good laugh, because the Pork Dukes were aural sex. They were, and still are, the cream of the obscene.
WEB WISE:
www.porkdukes.com; www.vince-ray.com; www.damagedgoods.co.uk; www.vinyljapan.co.uk; www.detour-records.co.uk
BRIEF BAND BIOGRAPHIES
Identical twins Vilos Styles, vocals/guitar and Horendus Styles, lead guitar have worked together since their youth. They appeared in the stage musical Oliver! in London’s west end in 1973, then formed the respected progressive rock band Gnidrolog, releasing two critically acclaimed albums on RCA. They recorded a single with Leiber & Stoller, the writing team who wrote some of Elvis Presley’s biggest hits. As actors they appeared in the classic 1970s TV show Hi-De-Hi, before forming The Pork Dukes as a mystery punk band in 1976, with drummer Bonk.
Bonk, drums: Bonk is the Pork Dukes’ original drummer. He quit the Dukes in 1979. Then under the stage name Rocky Rhythm, he helped form successful Scottish pop combo The Revillos, appearing a number of times on Top Of The Pops. More recently he played drums for Damned singer David Vanian’s band The Phantom Chords, Tenpole Tudor and many other name bands and singers. The low point of his career was headlining the London Palladium – with an Elvis impersonator…
Vince Santini, bass: Vince is an old cohort of Bonk since his days touring the world as bassist with The Revillos in the 1980s. Doubling as an actor and singer, he has appeared in Shakespeare plays, operas, musicals, church choirs - and now the Pork Dukes. Clearly a natural progression...
DISCOGRAPHY
Singles
1. Bend & Flush/Throbbing Gristle. First single 1977 on Wood Records
2.Making Bacon/ Tight Pussy, second single 1977 on Wood Records
3. Telephone Masturbator/ Melody Maker, You're Just a Bunch of Wankers, 1978, third single on Wood Records
4.Live at The Roxy e.p., 1977 on Imaginary Records
5. Filthy Nasty e.p. live in London 1977, released 1988 on Damaged Goods Records
6. Pop Stars CD E.P. (Crack Cocaine/Pop Stars/The Lottery Song/Here I Come). 2005 on Snails Records, produced by Kid Krupa
7. Pop Stars/Save The Pigs. 2005 on Detour Records, produced by Kid Krupa
Albums
1. Pink Pork – first album, 1977 on Wood Records
2. Pig Out Of Hell – second album, 1978 on Wood Records
3. All The Filth - CD compilation, 2001 on Vinyl Japan Records
4. Squeal Meat Again – live CD, 2002 on Snails Records
5. Kum Kleen rarities CD, 2004 on Damaged Goods Records
PORK DUKES UK REPRESENTATION: Stewart Elliott Productions, 34 Ardfillan Road, London SE6 1SS, UK. Tel: +44 (0)7763 529785.
i have about 200 pics i took that night, i was only able to use x amount for the review, i'll be posting a folder on my space with alot more pics from that show.
Great show in Vegas last night. Fun was had by all. "Flash" Styles was channeling Vilos trans-continentally; and adding his own spark to the already flammable, or is it inflammable, mix. Loved the girl bands opening and closing for you, lots of power there. See you all next time
Can't Wait for these shows in l.a.!!! I'll bring some shirts for ya, send me a message with your shirt sizes! If you want some of the dukes shirt I make to sell at the shows let me know and we can talk more about it!
Online!
