Pig Pen

Pig Pen is a Canadian hardcore band that formed among longtime friends who wanted to capture the spirit of the hardcore scene they grew up in. The group features vocalist Matty Matheson (also known as a chef and actor), guitarists Wade MacNeil and Daniel Romano, drummer Ian Romano, and bassist Tommy Major. Their debut album, *Mental Madness*, released on Flatspot Records in 2025, was written in a single day and recorded the next, reflecting a raw, intense energy with themes centered on mental health struggles like isolation and loneliness. The band's sound channels classic ’80s hardcore with a modern edge, inspired by their shared history and passion for the genre. Pig Pen has received attention not just as a side project but as a significant, loud, and heartfelt musical expression, with sold-out record release shows and a festival debut planned for Furnace Fest in Alabama.

Note: This description refers specifically to the contemporary hardcore band Pig Pen led by Matty Matheson and is distinct from the late Ron "Pigpen" McKernan of the Grateful Dead.

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