Mustard Plug Explained

Mustard Plug
Origin:Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Genre:Ska punk, pop punk
Years Active:1991–present
Label:Hopeless, No Idea Records, Bad Time Records
Current Members:Dave Kirchgessner
Brandon Jenison
Jim Hofer
Nate Cohn
Colin Clive
Mark Petz
Greg Witulski
Past Members:Rick Johnson
Bleu VanDyke
Michael Skowron
Craig DeYoung
Nick Varano
Bob Kneisel
Kevin Dixon
Brad Rozier
John Massel
Matt Van
Brandon Power
Mike McKendrick

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), Mark Petz (tenor saxophone) and Greg Witulski (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., the band has released eight 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 the "greatest hits" album .

Mustard Plug was on the label Hopeless Records for many years, but had a period of free agency until their signing with Bad Time Records.[5] [6]

The band celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2011 with a national tour.[7]

In 2012, the band had an idea for a live album called Mustard Plug:Live!, but canceled in favor of their 2014 album Can't Contain It, the recording of which was funded via Kickstarter.[8] The album features cover art by Jeff Rosenstock of Bomb the Music Industry.

In May 2017, the band performed at Pouzza Fest in Montreal. In 2019, they embarked on a tour of Japan. The band continues to perform around the United States on a regular basis. In 2021, long-time bassist Rick Johnson left the group.[9]

On September 8, 2023, the band released Where Did All My Friends Go?, their first studio album in 9 years, on DIY label Bad Time Records.

Discography

Albums

Music videos

Lost music videos

Hopeless Records compilation appearances

Line-up

Past members

Timeline

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width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:BE from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1994 color:Trombone bar:BV from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1998 color:Trombone bar:JH from:01/01/1995 till:END color:Trombone width:3 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:MS from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/1995 color:Trombone

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References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mustard Plug Wants You To Know Ska is Not Dead. Rosalind. Early. May 9, 2011. Stlmag.com. March 27, 2020.
  2. Web site: mustard plug - history. https://web.archive.org/web/20120305063147/http://www.mustardplug.com/history.php. dead. March 5, 2012.
  3. Web site: Garageland: Mustard Plug • Music / Video • exclaim.ca. https://web.archive.org/web/20120929093810/http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ExclaimTV/garageland_mustard_plug. dead. September 29, 2012.
  4. Web site: Housewives? . Battle of the Midwestern Housewives: Mustard Plug Interview: Talks about New Album, Breakfast Cereals, and more! . Midwesternhousewives.blogspot.com . July 6, 2007 . July 15, 2011.
  5. Web site: MUSTARD PLUG . 2023-12-06 . Bad Time Records . en.
  6. Web site: Mustard Plug plays Bikestock Dos in downtown Grand Rapids. Rachael Recker | The. Gr. Rapids. Press. July 15, 2010. Mlive.com. March 27, 2020.
  7. Web site: Mustard Plug delivers ska to the Midwest, South. Soundspike.com. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20110509234843/http://www.soundspike.com/news/tour/2099-mustard_plug_concert_news_tour_dates/. May 9, 2011. dead.
  8. Web site: Mustard Plug New Record!. Kickstarter.com. March 27, 2020.
  9. http://www.cjlo.com/articles/pouzza-fest-7th-edition-may-19-21-2017 "Pouzza Fest, 7th Edition - May 19 to 21, 2017"