Artist Feature - The Muggs
Song: Down Below
Album: On With The Show
The Muggs - Detroit, MI
This weeks feature is legendary Detroit blues rock trio, The Muggs. The band is a favorite around the Motor City and they continue to build their faithful following by doing what they do best - playing live and rocking out. During the holiday break we were fortunate to get a call with Tony "Muggs" and our timing couldn't have been better. The band recently wrapped some dates and are now in the studio working on their next release. Here's what Tony had to say about their recent sessions, the new record and what else we can expect from "The Muggs" in 2011. Get the full story behind this bands incredible journey by following the bio link at the end of this interview.
Rachel Irimescu: The Muggs are in the studio right now, how is that going?
Tony Muggs: It's going great. We've been in the studio now for 4 full days thus far. We're recording with Jim Diamond Ghetto Recorders. One more full week to go and we hope to have everything in line for final mastering.
RI: What's it like working with Jim Diamond? And why did you choose to work with him on this particular recording?
TM: Jim Diamond is a joy to work with in the studio. He's very knowledgeable about vintage amps and what tones or sounds we are looking for with respect to any particular song we have. We chose Jim for many reasons. His recording discography is quite impressive. He's worked with the White Stripes, Von Bondies, the Sights, etc. My good friend Bobby Emmett swears by Jim so we just thought it was time we record with Jim. Each of our past 2 LP's have a personality of their own and this 3rd LP will be no different.
RI: What is the title of the new release? What ( If anything) is the driving force behind the title? Have you singled out a lead track? What can we expect this time around?
TM: The title of our 3rd LP will be called, BORN UGLY. You'll have to save those questions for Dannymuggs. He has been very esoteric with song titles and lyrics. He was forced into giving Todd and I the song titles just 2 weeks prior to going into the studio so we could put faces with names so to speak. What you can expect is on this LP is maturity. We will have some rockers for sure, the Muggs will always be a blues rock band first. However, we are great fans of the Beatles and of songwriting so that bleeds through heavily on this LP. We pine greatly over the musical arrangement of our songs.
RI: Are The Muggs on a label right now?
TM: The Muggs still have no label.
RI: What is the creative process like with the Muggs?
TM: Dannymuggs drives the bus, Todd and I occasionally direction traffic.
RI: Are there any guest appearances on the new cd?TM:You'll have to wait and see.
RI: The Muggs have been doing a steady stream of touring this fall, did you get to road test your new material? How was the initial response?
TM:The Muggs have been touring regionally this past year. Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania thus far. We have just recently been testing out our new material and the response has been great.
RI: What are your plans for touring in support of your next release?
TM: With some luck, the first tour will be in Spain in spring 2011. That's contingent however on how soon we have product in hand. We're not sure how soon to release Born Ugly in the states, we're definitely releasing it in Spain first thing!
RI: When will new record be released?
TM: Not quite sure. But sometime in 2011 would be my guess.
RI: The Muggs have seemed to really embrace the social networks very early on. We know that everyone is on Facebook now, but when did it "click" in for The Muggs?
TM: Myspace was the champion of bands 5 years ago. Both local, national and international. True story, in July 2005, I was at a party with a musician friend, and he was complaining about record labels and their lack of interest in bands like the ones coming out of Detroit. He said, "It's like labels don't even want to speak with you unless you have 35,000 fans on Myspace." That's when the light bulb went off in my head. I see the internet as a tool. I saw Myspace as a tool. It was hands down the best thing for a local band like the Muggs in terms of approaching promoters and fans alike. I spent countless hours every day researching and marketing the Muggs as a 'brand'. Myspace is still around and I'd encourage bands to do their do diligence and get connected. Every promotion company, radio station and label is still on Myspace. Opportunities do exist in cyberland!
RI: What is your favorite social network? Why?
TM: I don't have one. I see all social networks as a means to an end. I'm much happier playing 'real' gigs at 'real' venues.
RI: How do you balance online with offline?
TM: Well, 5 years ago, it was a lot of work. I'd delegate at least 1 hour a day to Myspace but because I'm so compulsive about it, it was really like 3 hours most days. But that was when I had more free time. I laid the ground work and connections back then so that now, I can breathe much easier and not feel so guilty about it. Yeah, I'm a doer.
RI: Here at DMM we work out online marketing plans, so I need to ask. How much time, if any is spent on a marketing plan?
TM: We're letting Spain deal with that. They need 3 months lead time to properly promote our new LP. As far as the States go, we're not quite sure yet.
RI: What are your thoughts on the Detroit music scene over the years?
TM: I support the Detroit music scene. So many great bands making great music out of Detroit. My frustration is more with the music industry and their lack of desire. I'll stop here on the subject.
RI: Where do you weigh in at on the DIY movement?
TM: I support all DIY movements. You have to ask yourself, "Why is there this DIY movement in the first place?" I think the answer is simple. Like with anything in business, the bigger you get, it's hard to control your artistic vision because there are so many egos now involved. I applaud artists like Jack White who is a super star and has kept his musical and artistic integrity. DIY embodies the little guy work ethic and underdog mentality. The Muggs are DIY.
RI: Gotta know where did the “Ugliest Band In The World “come from? Cracks me up every time I see it!
TM: One of our first shows was at the world famous Cadieux Cafe. It's no secret the Muggs are big fans of Kiss, the Greatest Band in the World. As a joke, Dannymuggs asked the owner, Uncle Bunky if he'd get up and introduce the Muggs. Instead of saying, "the greatest band in the world" Danny thought it hilarious to have Uncle Bunky say, "The Ugliest Band In The World, The Muggs!!!!" It came from KISS. It just stuck with us I suppose.
On With The Show, from the album "On With the Show"
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You can listen to more songs and buy music from The Muggs by visiting their website at: http://www.themuggs.com
Live photos by Michael Spleet www.2snapsup.com
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