Mustard Plug
Mustard Plug | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1991– present |
| Labels | Hopeless, No Idea Records |
| Members | Dave Kirchgessner Brandon Jenison Jim Hofer Nate Cohn Colin Clive Rick Johnson |
| Past members | Bleu VanDyke Michael Skowron Mark Petz Craig DeYoung Nick Varano Bob Engelsman Kevin Dixon Brad Rozier John Massel Matt Van Brandon Power Mike McKendrick |
| Website | www |
Mustard Plug is an American ska punk band from Grand Rapids, Michigan, consisting of Dave Kirchgessner (vocals), Brandon Jenison (trumpet), Jim Hofer (trombone), Nate Cohn (drums), Colin Clive (guitar/vocals), and Rick Johnson (bass).
Formed in 1991, the band has regularly toured throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America. They have toured with the Warped Tour twice, and participated in the Ska Against Racism Tour. As of 2014[update], the band has released seven studio albums and continues to tour actively.
Explaining the band's goal, Jim Hofer said, "We may have some messages in our music, but essentially we just do this because we love it and we want people to lighten up and have fun."[1]
History
The band formed in 1991 after Colin and Dave both attended a Special Beat show.[2] The band's original members were Dave Kirchgessner, Mike McKendrick, Colin Clive, and Anthony Vilchez. There was virtually no ska scene in Grand Rapids at the time, so Mustard Plug was able to develop a unique sound and draw a large following.[3]
Brandon Jenison stated in an interview that their band name originated when "a guy in the early stages of the band was making a sandwich and that crusty stuff that forms on the mustard bottle when you put it in the fridge without wiping it off first gave him an interesting idea for a name."[4]
In 2002, the band released Yellow #5, and supported the album for years on tour. In 2005, they released a "greatest hits" album Masterpieces: 1991–2002.
Mustard Plug was on the label Hopeless Records for many years, but as of 2010 were free agents.[5]
The band celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2011 with a national tour.[6]
In 2012 the band had an idea for a live album called Mustard Plug:Live!, but cancelled in favor of their 2014 album Can't Contain It, the recording of which was funded via Kickstarter.[7] The album features cover art by Jeff Rosenstock of Bomb the Music Industry.
In May 2017 the band performed at Pouzza Fest in Montreal. As of 2019, they will be embarking on a tour of Japan. The band continues to perform around the United States on a regular basis. Their live shows sometimes feature fill-in bassists for Rick Johnson, who is the tour manager and sound tech for several bands, including Streetlight Manifesto, AJJ, La Dispute and Jeff Rosenstock. [8]
Discography
Albums
- Skapocalypse Now! (1992, Dashiki Clout)
- Big Daddy Multitude (1993, Asbestos Records)
- Evildoers Beware! (1997, Hopeless Records)
- Pray for Mojo (1999, Hopeless Records)
- Yellow No. 5 (2002, Hopeless Records)
- Masterpieces: 1991-2002 (2005, Hopeless Records)
- In Black and White (2007, Hopeless Records)
- Can't Contain It (2014, No Idea Records)
Music Videos
- You (1997)
- Everything Girl (1999)
- Hit Me! Hit Me! (2007)
- Over the Edge (2007)
Line-up
- Dave Kirchgessner - Lead Vocals (1991–present)
- Colin Clive - Guitar, Vocals (1991–present)
- Rick Johnson - Bass, Keyboard (2004–present)
- Nathan Cohn - Drums (2005–present)
- Brandon Jenison - Trumpet, Backing vocals (1994–present)
- Jim Hofer - Trombone (1994–present)
Past members
- Anthony Vilchez - Bass (1991–1994)
- Craig DeYoung - Bass (1994–2001), Alto Saxophone (1992–1994)
- Matt Van - Bass (2001–2004)
- Mike McKendrick - Drums (1991–1993)
- Michael Skowron - Trombone (1993-1995), Tenor Saxophone (1993-1995)
- Nick Varano - Drums (1993–1999)
- Brad Rozier - Drums (1999–2004)
- John Massel - Drums (2004-2005)
- Bob Engelsman - Trombone (1992–1994)
- Bleu VanDyke - Trombone(1995–1998)
- Mark Petz - Tenor Saxophone (1993–1998; sporadic live shows since)
- Kevin Dixon - Tenor Saxophone (1996–1998)
Timeline
References
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2011) |
- ^ Early, Rosalind (May 9, 2011). "Mustard Plug Wants You To Know Ska is Not Dead". Stlmag.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "mustard plug - history". Archived from the original on March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Garageland: Mustard Plug • Music / Video • exclaim.ca". Archived from the original on September 29, 2012.
- ^ Housewives? (July 6, 2007). "Battle of the Midwestern Housewives: Mustard Plug Interview: Talks about New Album, Breakfast Cereals, and more!". Midwesternhousewives.blogspot.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
- ^ Gr, Rachael Recker | The; Press, Rapids (July 15, 2010). "Mustard Plug plays Bikestock Dos in downtown Grand Rapids". Mlive.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Mustard Plug delivers ska to the Midwest, South". Soundspike.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Mustard Plug New Record!". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Pouzza Fest, 7th Edition - May 19 to 21, 2017". CJLO AM Radio, by Robert Portnoff // May 29 2017
- "Mustard Plug Interview: Talks about the New Album, Breakfast Cereals, and more!", "The Battle Of The Midwestern Housewives", July 6, 2007. Accessed July 7, 2007
- "Interview with Rick Johnson!", "Michigan Ska Blog", December 12, 2008. Accessed September 9, 2009
External links
- Official website
- Mustard Plug's Allmusic entry
- Interview from 2002
- Interview from 2005
- Interview from 2007 at ReadJunk.com
- Mustard Plug collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
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