Full steam ahead: The Pork Chop Express are ready to take on Warwick’s 46th Real Ale Festival

With Warwick’s long-awaited 46th Real Ale Festival on the horizon, which is bound to provide a well-needed release for those of us dragging our feet until reading week, The Pork Chop Express are one of the student bands set to grace the stage.  

The band is a five-piece consisting of Alex Bonner, Elliott Bujac, Alex Saunders, Bill Bruce, and Beltrán Núñez, who is Warwick Real Ale Society’s very own publicity officer. Whilst the name of the band is “pretty unique and completely nonsensical”, named after Jack Burton’s truck in the film Big Trouble in Little China, Núñez claims “that’s kind of the beauty of it”. Musical performance doesn’t need to make sense or be cohesive, and that’s why the band are intent on bringing “pure energy, chaos, and a lot of fuzz” to the Copper Rooms. 

It’s like the rest of the world disappears, and all that matters is going with the flow together

Beltrán Núñez

Although the band have only recently formed, the members are also performing in Warwick BandSoc’s Battle of the Bands with their respective groups, and the momentum of rehearsal has ignited a drive within them. Núñez states that when the band rehearse “it’s like the rest of the world disappears and all that matters is going with the flow together”. The band are eagerly awaiting their performance at the festival, “with excitement and some vertigo”, hoping that the gig will fulfil Núñez’s dream of forming a band. He claims, “I saw the chance and took it … I think we all just see it as an amazing opportunity to do the stuff we love”. 

So, what we can expect from the band performance-wise? We can expect some covers of punk tracks and a little bit of grunge, as well as some Spanish alternative. “The sick riffs, distortion and grit the guitars carry” within the grunge genre will hopefully propel the band forwards and enable them to reach a raw authenticity, contrary to the over polished nature of mainstream music. Yet, Núñez feels as though the band may have outgrown the rebellious attitude of punk music, but they nevertheless still endeavour to experiment with it. The band seem to resonate with and take inspiration from the likes of Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Limp Bizkit; an unlikely concoction that could perhaps end up being more lethal than the infamous turbo purple. Their rendition of Carolina Durante’s ‘Marta, Sebas, Guille y los demás’ is set to be a standout, its fast tempo and energy perfect for a Saturday night crowd. Núñez explains, “Everybody has a specific part to play and when everything comes together it sounds completely amazing”. Their cover of ‘Break Stuff’ by Limp Bizkit, too, should allow the band to transform into an angry mob and channel their inner metal.  

We’ll do our best not to make anyone’s ears bleed

Beltrán Núñez

The band teases, “we’ll do our best not to make anyone’s ears bleed”, conveying some scepticism surrounding Núñez’s ability to tackle the lower register of the Spanish songs. Yet his bravery is admirable considering a scarcity of experience, but surely this is what the Real Ale Festival is for! A shared passion for good music, along with a buzzing and undoubtedly intoxicated audience are sure to appreciate the student band’s maiden voyage. Elliott Bujac is responsible for handling the rest of the set’s vocals, “as he can actually sing”. 

Warwick’s Real Ale Festival, in general, has much to offer, the most alluring part being the vast amount of beer varieties available. From porters and IPA’s to real ales and ciders, the festival is guaranteed to have a drink available for even the most apprehensive drinker. Núñez states that “it’s a unique chance to try something new, something different from the usual Carling”. So, if you fancy broadening your alcoholic horizons and witnessing some amazing bands, then you know where to look!

Ultimately, a huge amount of effort has gone into bringing the festival to life, and it will undoubtedly be a great time. Be sure to catch The Pork Chop Express on Saturday 21 February at 9:30 pm in the Copper Rooms, the last day of the Real Ale Festival!