Top Jimmy and The Rhythm Pigs

Spoken about in hushed tones for their incendiary live shows soaked in booze, blues and sweaty, transformative bacchanalian liberation during the oppressive Reagan years, Top Jimmy and The Rhythm Pigs burned brightly in the L.A. music scene of the 1980s. Known as “L.A.’s high priest of booze culture,” the band was led by Falstaffian front man Top Jimmy (aka James Paul Koncek, 1954-2001), a true force of nature full of roadhouse rantings, whisky and yes, the very person referenced in the Diamond Dave track “Top Jimmy” from Van Halen’s breakout 1984 album.

Beloved by celebs and musicians, Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs fans included everyone from incomparable musicians like Tom Waits and David Lee Roth but also bands like X and The Blasters as well as musicians like Maria Mckee and Steve Wynn (who released the original LP on his Down There Records). Out of print for nearly 40 years, this new reissue of Pigus Drunkus Maximus has been remastered, features a new 16-page booklet of archival photos from noted photographer Gary Leonard, gig flyers and new liner notes from veteran Grammy-nominated L.A. scribe Chris Morris.