| Tom Pig - Poison Idea |
| TOM PIG ? - February 1st 2006 Tom Roberts (Aka Pig, Pig Champion) died of suspected Kidney failure at his Portland, Oregon, USA home on February 1st 2006 Tom Roberts, a.k.a. Tom Pig (of The Imperialist Pigs) and The Pig Champion (THE "brains" behind what is known as the "Poison Idea sound") passed away sometime earlier today. Those of us who knew Tom well, know it is amazing he survived this long. Still, Tom was one of the smartest and funniest nihilistic misanthropes I did ever have the (mostly) pleasure to have known. Until a few years back, I still considered him a dear friend and still know he is one of the main "mentors" (hah) in my life. It was Tom who taught me the REAL MEANING OF ELVIS, all about LENNY BRUCE, made me eat chocolate and drink beer at the same time, was my "cushion" at the front of any PDX punk stage in the early days, as he would stand behind me, one hand on the P.A. speaker, thus buffeting me from any pubescent punk rocker proving his nascent "manhood" by skanking around in circles and "getting busy wit' it" with other boys, and a few girls ... I first ate pickled okra at Tom Pig's house. I first saw idiots (Hi, Glenn!) dive into piles of broken beer bottles at the original Pig Palace. (Dez Cadena still remembers a WAY early party there, when he was singing for Black Flag, and the fridge somehow being thrown down the basement stairs.) And then there is the signature "PLEAGH!" ... Tom's personal "bullshit" code noise, which I first heard from right behind me at a show in the basement of the Pacific Academy. Tom surely will be best remembered for the P.I. saga, but without Jerry absconding with Tom from the Imperialist Pigs, Poison Idea would never have become as "BIG" as they once were. I remember Tom, too, for being a grand cook, an eagle-eyed (even after ingesting 4 bottles of sake and god-knows-what-else) observer of people who could rip 'em apart or welcome them with his unparalleled pontifications and pronouncements (which just BEGGAR DESCRIPTION!). He also was a real and involved guy, when you'd get into a "heavier" conversation. I called Tom right away from NYC, when I discovered Poison Idea was that month's "CUTE BAND ALERT." (1991?) Pig totally thought I was fucking with him, and told me over and over that "this isn't FUNNY, Christeen," but it was true. And Tom was a handsome man; I have the photos to prove it. I hope I'm not rambling too much here, but Tom was a mostly great guy despite his long downward spiral, and I will miss his "old" self. And obviously my long history and friendship (and then whatever) with Tom Roberts himself, and the "legacy" are of the primordial ooze. I'd just meant to deliver the news, but guess this one's gonna take awhile to deal with. Be well, take care, and I'm gonna sit around and think about Pig and Precious Phil actually phoning that stewardess who actually MADE Elvis his "Fool's Gold" sandwiches, to get the recipe just right. Or hanging with the Buttholes on that first tour, after the 13th Precinct show, with Tom and Malcontent ... OK, 'nuff from me already. Here's to ya, Pig! (Gotta go chug a pint or two now.) Love to everybody, and keep on keepin' on ... CHRISTEEN AEBI Tom Pig, guitar hero for Poison Idea was always a friend to me over the last 25 years that i have known him. He played with us in one of my bands, Girlie Crumb as a special guest. I am sorry to hear this sad news. He will be missed.. Rest in Peace brother. We love you. Mish (Sado-Nation) |
