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Mustard Plug started out in the punk clubs, basements, and dive bars of the Midwest, playing punk-influenced ska music during a time most people in the U.S. had never even heard of ska. They clung to a DIY work ethic that had been ingrained in them from growing up in the 1980's hardcore punk scene and applied it to everything they'd do for the next 21 years.
The band released their first cassette tape themselves (1992's
Skapocalypse Now!), and played constantly to earn enough money to record their first CD. 1994's
Big Daddy Mulititude was then distributed by legendary NYC label Moon Records and with their new found national distribution and exposure, the band climbed into their van and performed their music to new fans across North America. Twenty-one years, 1,500 shows and 200,000 album sales later, the band has amassed a fanbase that reaches around the world.
For their upcoming album, they are returning to the DIY efforts that the band was built upon. By releasing the new record on their own, Mustard Plug has come full circle, embracing their punk rock roots, and bringing their music directly to their friends and fans.
But it isn't just the band themselves going on this journey; they are keeping the whole project, “in the family.” Resident bassist and electronics nerd extraordinairre, Rick Johnson, is recording it at his Grand Rapids, MI-based Cold War Studios. "We practice here, the van lives here, and it’s close enough to my house to walk to," said Johnson. "It just made sense to record here."
The Kickstarter campaign will include artwork from Lansing-based artist Craig Horky who has made a name for himself, and his tireless work ethic, by providing designs and illustrations for bands both domestic and abroad.
The band will also be sending the record to The Blasting Room to be mixed by venerated punk rock veteran, and friend, Bill Stevenson. Stevenson, best known for his drumming with Black Flag and The Descendants, originally worked with Mustard Plug on their 1996 album
Evil Doers Beware. They returned to The Blasting Room for their follow up, 1999's
Pray For Mojo, and their last album,
In Black and White.
For more information please visit:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1739374006/mustard-plug-new-record.
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Upcoming Mustard Plug Tour Dates:
Fri, Sept 20: Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme
Thurs, Sept 26: Madison, WI - The Frequency
Fri, Sept 27: Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
Sat, Sept 28: Rockford, IL - Kryptonite
Sun, Sept 29: Lansing, MI - Mac's Bar
Fri, Cct 11: Ann Arbor MI - The Blind Pig
Sat, Oct 12: Ft. Wayne, IN - The Brass Rail
Fri, Oct 25: Cincinatti, OH - Northside Tavern
Sat, Oct 26: Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café
Sun, Oct 27: Morgantown WV - 123 Pleasant St.
Mon, Oct 28: Asheville, NC - Jack of the Wood
Tues, Oct 29: Columbia SC - New Brookland Tavern
Wed, Oct 30: Ybor City FL - The Fest
Thur, Oct 31: Gainesville, FL - The Fest
Sat, Nov 16: Kalamazoo, MI - Bell's
Fri, Nov 22: Traverse City, MI - Inside Out Gallery
Pending shows in PA, NJ, and Canada!
