Porky’s Groove Machine has been getting both funky and silly since the fall of 2011. Formed in Appleton, WI and now based in Minneapolis, MN, they have spent the last eight years performing everywhere from dirty basements to historic theaters, for audiences comprising anyone from middle school birthday party-goers to high-powered construction executives. While their costumes and sense of humor show their willingness to not take themselves too seriously, their dedication to high-energy and high-entertainment performances is anything but laughable. With classic covers, quirky originals, and synchronized dance moves (for band and audience alike), their live shows are a delight for crowds of all ages.
Nearing a decade of trombone solo-ing and audience congas lines, they have not gone unnoticed by audiences and promoters across the Midwest; Porky’s has been chosen to support national touring acts like Guster, Here Come the Mummies, The Motet, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, The Werks, and The Main Squeeze. As winners of the 2018 Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) for “Best R&B/Soul Band,” they were one of three bands chosen to headline the sold out Wisconsin Funk Fest at Madison’s legendary Majestic Theater in January, 2018.
Hot off the release of their new full length “Hello My Name Is” in March of 2019, they’re already heading back into the studio with keyboardist Kevin Gastonguay (Cory Wong, Dr. Mambo’s Combo) in the producer’s chair for their next EP, to be released winter 2020. You can catch them around the midwest in the fall of 2019 as a part of the People Be Porkin’ tour with Madison WI’s People Brother Band, culminating in a New Years Eve show at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI.
Porky's Groove Machine also offers workshops to middle and high school band programs in which they share their passion for funk, improvisation, and getting silly. As the ensemble in residence for Appleton, WI’s Mile of Music Music Education team, Porky’s considers breaking the barrier between audience and performer an integral part of their mission as a band. All professional music educators in one way or anther, the band has given workshops as a part of the Mile of Music festival, as well as for the band/choir programs of Fridley High School (Minneapolis, MN), University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI), Upper Mississippi Academy (St. Paul, MN), Lawrence University Band Camp (Appleton, WI), and Wrightstown High School (Wrightstown, WI). Learn more here.
“It’s old school funk, the kind that you just don’t hear that much anymore.
The Atlantic’s “Song of the Day”
"With their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks, Appleton’s Porky's Groove Machine plays campus-ready dance-able white guy funk that is ready to help you get on with your baddest self."
Madison's Maximum Ink Music Magazine
Porky’s Groove Machine opened up in Indianapolis and captivated the crowd with their...wacky costumes, and contagious funk grooves.”
If you get seriously tired of serious people, this is the band for you! It’s like Phish, The Lonely Island, Flight of The Concords, and a New Orleans brass band made a record. I'm very intrigued by their commitment to the music and equal commitment to being goofy, odd, weird, and downright immature haha! But when it’s not by accident I find that intent very respectable. A fresh and fun group. Get your groove on with Porky’s Groove Machine. Here are some of my favorites tunes: Catstac, Puberty, Come Around, Magic Brunch"
Julian Loida, R&B&L on WIUX
“When listening to this album, it was hard for me to sit still—all the songs made me want to bob my head and bop around. Each track felt balanced in duration, instrumentation, and every song had little nuances that added professional polish to this funky album. Although listening to the album is an enjoyable experience, watching the music videos intensified the funk exponentially. In them we can see “Robeert”—an amiable and immobile robot made of beer cans—saluting and supervising the entire performance. An incredibly majestic tiger rug covers the jazz room floor. The walls are garnished by cardboard bulldog heads, painstakingly dissected from many a case of Red Dog. Goofiness aside, it takes a skillful band to come up with such an entertaining and seamlessly groovy collection of songs.”