One Bad Pig - Background

Background

The group evolved out of a street ministry led by Carey Womack, who was studying to become a Baptist minister at the time. Several other members also had a background in ministry; Brian Wheeler was an Assembly of God evangelist, and Paul Q-Pek had sung with The Continental Singers. The band originally formed for a one time only performance at a local Christian music festival held on Labor Day 1985. Although they have not released any full-length albums of new material since 1991, they have written new songs, and have not declared their band broken up yet.

Because of the image of the band, the Pig can have a life of its own... We're totally accountable to our pastors.

—Paul Q-Pek in Cornerstone

According to CCM Magazine a One Bad Pig show was "kind of like a carnival/revival run amok." For instance, at Cornerstone 1990 they were reported to have leapt into water-filled plastic swimming pools and cut down a Christmas tree with a chainsaw. Often during the song "Smash The Guitar" the band would literally smash their guitars onto the stage. In contrast, each performance included an altar call where Carey Womack's preaching was said to have a "hometown passion." The band also placed a heavy emphasis on personal accountability.

Johnny Cash performed guest vocals on One Bad Pig's cover of his song "Man In Black", which One Bad Pig included on their 1991 album, I Scream Sunday. Bob Hartman performed as a guest guitarist on One Bad Pig's cover of his song "Judas Kiss" from his band Petra's More Power To Ya album.

God has seen fit to use a very foolish thing to proclaim His message.

—Carey Womack responding to criticism of the band in CCM Magazine

The band was subject to constant criticism from the anti-Christian Rock movement. They were critical of the group for its concert antics, lyrics, and even for their name. According to some their name evoked stereotypes of punk music and rebellion in a way that, according to some, was contrary to certain principles of Christianity. One critical group was Dial-the-Truth Ministries, which is affiliated with the King-James-Only Movement. Their widely distributed tract entitled Christian Rock: Blessing or Blasphemy? was critical of the above and their involvement with Johnny Cash, who was attacked separately.

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