^ I Support Local Community Journalism Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of the New Times clear. Andy Warpigs, the Arizona-born folk-punk icon, died on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at the age of 32. Although she is known for her musically grubby, slippery storytelling and understandable but absurd lyrics on tracks like “Drown My Baby”, “Everybody Likes You Now”, “Bad Faith” and “FOLK-PUNK YOURSELF”, it is also Warpigs’ altruistic and empathetic intercourse that has sparked a wave of condolences in the Phoenix music scene. Bryan Preston of Dadadoh, a friend and collaborator of Warpigs on projects like Militia Joan Hart, tells Phoenix New Times of their beginnings together: “They were them biggest live music supporter I’ve ever met. Both started out as journalists who wanted to document the local music that we thought was cool, “says Preston.” When they started making money from their music, they gave me something of [the earnings] making physical copies of my first EP. At some point over the years I joined their band and they became mine. “We have always loved and respected each other, but we also argued about things and disagreed about people; we became a real family together. Light in.” the darkest people and moments. They were so funny, they were a genius, they were my brother. ” According to longtime bassist Jackson Bollox, Warpigs (who was born Michael Johnson) first presented their adopted nickname at Jesse James Comics in Glendale on Free Comic Book Day in May 2013. Warpigs reworked old punk songs into tunes about cartoon characters at the event they put together played with Bollox ‘band Nerdzerker and Billie Russel from Contradiktion. Boyfriend, coworker and Militia Joan Hart bandmate Scott Mitting tells the New Times about Warpigs’ relationship with her chosen stage name: “When I first met her, there was clearly a difference between Mike and her character, Andy Warpigs. But those lines began. ” blur over the years. We talked about that many times. “Local artist Hotrock Supajoint was a friend of Warpigs who helped record, mix, and release their debut album Folk-Punk Yourself on 56th Street Records in 2014.” Andy wanted to help musicians make music; We did a bunch of live shows together in 2014 and ’15, and they also helped me start my SupaShow potcast in April 2017 and co-host “Andy’s a fucking rock star and everyone knows it,” he continues. “They turned their attention to people who needed to be noticed and had a sincere desire to help, entertain, and inspire. I’ll miss her, yo. ”There has been a lot of coverage of Warpigs over the years on the culture blog YabYum Music + Arts. YabYum Senior Editors Carly Schorman and Mark Anderson said, “Andy Warpigs, as we called them, was one of the most caring, serious, and supportive musicians we have ever met. Andy was a defining force in the local music scene and they played a defining role in the community. Andy’s talent and charisma stood out on and off the stage, maybe only overshadowed by [their] Kindness. “Logan Lowrey-Rasmussen (@ Loganjlr1994) Bollox describes playing with warpigs as” always an adventure “because of their improvised nature. Playing with them,” he says. “It made me a much better musician, [as I had to learn how] to change the way I played the song in the blink of an eye from how they would; [Andy] would completely change the chord structure during the song or even use a kapo and tell me just before the song started that the song would be in a different key that evening. “Friend and former collaborator Jorge Felix repeats that feeling; he tells New Times that playing with Warpigs could feel “shaky.” “Andy would change the tempo of a song depending on your mood. Although difficult to follow, I think the weak point is vol.” [of their music and performance] attracted people and made them the most real person in the room. Even with a $ 20 faux leather jacket and toy guitar, they were a rock star, “says Felix. The first time I met her was at a show we played together,” Jedidiah Foster told the New Times. “We were quick friends right away. Andy was easy to hang out with – you just had to go to a random show and they probably played it. I was a fan too. Subversive, humorous lyrics in an easily digestible melody sung by Gordon Gano meets Morrissey. What was not to like? “Preston describes Warpigs’ songwriting skills as” really unbelievable … they could write something so silly or something completely heartache. “” We both went to a show at the old Trunk Space location, and the guy who headlined the show asked everyone to stand up or he would end his set early. After a fit of anger and quitting his set, Andy stood on the bench of an old piano playing her song ‘Ego Death’, “recalls Preston . “The lyrics are all about that crybaby / selfish rock star, and it really hit the guy who was headlining it; at the end of his impromptu performance you could see that it had softened this guy and he was a little ashamed of his behavior. [Andy] no matter who you were. They knew we were all the same and should be treated as such. That’s always stayed with me. “Although Warpigs’ music is what made her part of the local scene, his friendliness and empathy have endeared her to countless Phoenix musicians.” seven people in my car at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday when I had to be at work at 6 a.m., or someone more supportive and inspired than Andy, “says Mitting.” I wish I could be such a good person “Jimmie Lewis of NFOE, who played drums on a number of shows with Warpig, met her when he was attending his first Trunk Space show.” I was about 16 years old. [and] Andy was super friendly and welcoming; It took us about five minutes to become best friends, ”recalls Lewis. “We could just talk about music for hours. They were the closest thing I had to a role model. [Andy Warpigs] was selfless and a saint. “Local musician Benjamin Fuqua recalls a time when Warpigs, who was just an acquaintance, helped him through a difficult time.” [I began] hyperventilate and I freaked out. I started crying and just as I was doing it Andy ran up to me and fucking hugged me, “says Fuqua.” I don’t remember her name. [and] had only met her in passing at a few parties, [but] They were hugging me just as I was about to cry and it just fixed something. They told me the world sucked, but I should just take it out on them instead of falling apart. “Jeff Schaer-Moses, the manager of Arizona nerdcore rapper Mega Ran, worked with Warpigs at a number of local music events . including It Gets Weirdest, Sharefire Music Festival and Miami Loco, as well as productions of The Rocky Horror Show at the Firehouse (which Warpigs played Dr. Frank N. Furter) all around them to pursue their passions, “says Schaer- Moses. “I would be nothing with Andy and Mamma Warpigs. I would be a drone who spends my days at a desk waiting for my everyday life, [but] Andy and her mother breathed life into anyone who ever thought that life could be more. Andy believed in me and acted on that belief [and] Everything I’ve done in the music industry I owe in part to Andy Warpigs. “And the only thing that was more important to them than creativity was inclusion; they just wanted everyone to enjoy the good times equally and have the same space to shape it.” Phoenix filmmaker Josef Rodriguez, who made a 2015 documentary about The Indie 500, a recurring local music marathon at The Trunk Space, remembers Warpigs’ presence during filming and listening to you, which is rare these days, “says Rodriguez. “They were a mythical figure in some ways, even though they were open about who they were. You were always shrouded in a secret that I really loved. They loved their mother more than anything in the world and hung out with her and all of us and loved everyone. “From a distance they seemed like that larger than life person, but when you spoke to them it was clear they were the most humble person you have ever met. They were with anyone, anywhere, anytime of the day. ” Andy Warpigs is survived by her partner Keyah Hanwi and mother along with the locals, friends and fans who will keep their spirit, memory and music on Keep Phoenix New Times Free … Ever since we started Phoenix New Times it defines it as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we want it to keep news, food, and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with bold reporting, stylish writing, and staff who have won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with the existence of local journalism under siege and setbacks in advertising revenues having a greater impact, it is now more important than ever for us to raise funds to fund our local journalism. You Can Help With Part We are participating in our “I Support” membership program which allows us to continue to cover Phoenix without paywalls.
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