James Johnstone

James Johnstone is a musician associated with Pigbag, the British group that brought funk, dance rhythms and post-punk experimentation together in the early 1980s. He played alto saxophone and guitar in the original recording line-up, later adding steel drums.

Pigbag's recordings included “Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag”, the album Dr Heckle and Mr Jive and the single “The Big Bean”. Johnstone remained part of the group as its instrumental approach developed and singer Angela Jaeger joined. His work belongs to a period when British musicians were extending punk's independent spirit into rhythm-led, dance-oriented forms.