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For the past four years this amazingly unique band has been one of the hottest bands in town and recently they followed up their debut album by releasing "Cream City" on Friday 4/16 at IQ's Bar.
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You may or may not have heard of the Muddy Udders. Maybe the name sounds familiar but you can't reca...You may or may not have heard of the Muddy Udders. Maybe the name sounds familiar but you can't recall if you have seen or heard their music. For the past four years this amazingly unique band has been one of the hottest local Green Bay bands in town and recently they followed up their debut album by releasing "Cream City" on Friday 4/16 at IQ's Bar. Muddy Udders is comprised of the three extremely talented multi musicians Augie Barnhart (vocals, harmonica, guitar and drums), Matty Day (vocals, guitar and bass) and Rolke Barnhart (vocals, guitar, drums and bass). The musicians switch instruments throughout their high energy sets and turn out some of the most nostalgic multi genre original rock and roll ever. It is truly something that needs to be seen to believe. The album "Cream City" is a testimonial to their talent and hard work. Most remarkable is that they have managed to release "Cream City" which was recorded and produced in two and a half days at The Mystery Room in Milwaukee by none other than Justin Carl Perkins without the assistance of a record label. Now onto the album itself. Before I have used the genre psychobilly to describe the sound of the Muddy Udders, but for the new album, "Cream City," I find this term to be only vaguely descriptive. It is becoming increasingly difficult to pin this band down to a genre, though Muddy Udders self described their sound as Toe-slappin' Grease Rock.
Muddy Udders Album Review Cream CityTrack 1 - 00:09 - "I Was Thinkin '(About Drinkin'[So I Drank])" A little nine second ditty to set the mood with tavern piano, drums, twangy guitar and lyrics are in the title. Track 2 - 02:04 "Reeperduction" kicks off the energy with an up-tempo beat, twangy guitar riff, and forceful vocals with a bit of swagger. The tempo switches to a double time punk beat with a killer guitar solo, then back into the rock beat. There are great dynamics and emotions in this track, which is just dying to be blasted out the speakers. Track 3 - 02:26 "One To Complain" brings it on with some good old western swing rockabilly. It has an upbeat rhythm with southern drawl vocals, classic echo, and outstanding county picking guitar. Great lyrics because yes its true, "Sometimes happiness ain't no further than fried chicken and coleslaw". Track 4 - 01:44 "Jeff's Couch" this is probably the most progressive song to come from Muddy Udders. A modern British feel complete with the vocals in an English accent, this song is enjoyably awkward. Track 5 - 2:15 "Cream City Rag" an all upbeat acoustic almost instrumental, with some old time folk blue grass. Track 6 - 02:50 "She's not a Robot" great upbeat feel, a little dirty to be considered psychobilly and little too fast to be blues, but a total hot rod style, with twangy guitar leads and killer harmonica. Track 7 - 01:58 "Honky Jerky" is a fun instrumental western swing folk jam with each instrument taking a solo. Track 8 - 03:44 "Don't Cut" This is the only slower tempo song in the bunch. It's dark, psychotic and hypnotic with creepy vocals. Track 9 - 2:11 "Walkin' out My Door" The song takes on the total garage style genre head on, upbeat, and rocking with an early blues feel. Track 10 - 2:11 "Augie Surf" This one is straight up surf - twang attacking guitar driven instrumental! Track 11 - 02:45 "Kim Lee (Jewel of the Jungle) Total Jungle Son! Great twangy leads, jungle percussion and vocal character. "That Kim Lee, so fine, so shiny!" Track 12 - 02:18 "Better Off" To end the album, a great mid tempo western tavern style blues song with great lyrics.
In all I really appreciate the balance of this album, it comes off with more of a western rockabilly feel and really shows the early influences and how they all have grown as musicians. As far as sound quality goes, it is one of the best sounding albums to come from our area, and its playability has longevity. I have listened to it quite a few times over the week and it hasn't gotten old. I keep hearing new things layered in every time. I had a chance to catch two Muddy Udders sets last weekend, once at the CD release show at IQ's Bar and second at Crunchy Frog, and yes the songs are as good or better live as they are on CD. Muddy Udders is out on a short tour as I write this and should be in Louisiana as you read this. To pick a copy of Cream City catch them live around town or head on down to the best and most legendary record store in town "The Exclusive Company - Green Bay."
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This is when it became abundantly clear that this band was different. On stage were three young lads that looked nothing like the psychobilly bands I have on my flash cards at home.
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The night was off to the abnormal side of things thanks to the partial lunar eclipse that rendered t...The night was off to the abnormal side of things thanks to the partial lunar eclipse that rendered the moon a sliver of orange in the sky and the needle scratch reaction I got when I said to a friend, I was off to see a psychobilly band. “What? There is a psychobilly band in Green Bay?” Big city me, I didn’t think that it was all that odd, but after tonight's show down at IQ's I believe I have seen one of the best, most innovative, and eccentric psychobilly bands in the country. Now, that may not raise an eyebrow with you, especially if you have no inclination as to what genre psychobilly is. Here is my best, extremely vague definition: Psychobilly is an extension of rock, rockabilly, western swing, southern blues, surf rock, garage rock and punk! It is often strung with an intense swagger and smooth vocals, offering songs that are mostly character fictional stories ranging in topics of science fiction to loose social behavior. As I walked into IQ's I ordered my favorite pizza and watched how Muddy Udders was settling in on the first set. After a few songs it was obvious that there was some raging talent on stage, and on a musically technical level, when the guitar took solo, it was running through scales normally avoided by most while sounding so clean and beautiful. It was literally minutes after that that I had to go and see who was responsible for this jangle! This is when it became abundantly clear that this band was different. On stage were three young lads that looked nothing like the psychobilly bands I have on my flash cards at home. No ten inch pompadour doos, no leather jackets, and no upright bass. A few songs later and I was stuck there, rocking, staring, admiring and even envying the abilities of this band and then, Muddy Udders switched! Ok this can't be real, you're not going to tell me the guy I just thought might possibly be the best guitarist Green Bay is now going to play the drums, the bass player is now going to sing, play guitar, and the drummer knows how to play strings as well! Usually I am not mood for these gimmicks because it delivers sub par songs and performances. Muddy Udders were still great, and while the tone may have shifted a little more towards the garage sound there was no drop off in energy. The switching never stopped, it was like musical chairs and it would have been so annoying except that they can all play everything exceptionally well. I'd say the most amazing thing about the entire show was the crowd; this music infected the patrons and made standing still Zombies a non-option! As the night went on and Muddy Udders swam their way through ears at IQs, I can honestly say I have never seen such a display of talent delivered in such a carefree natural way. When I think of Muddy Udders music I'm reminded of all the real rock and roll in the early 40s and 50s that was not meant for airwaves but for the underground brothels and bars not to be spoken of. Muddy Udders is for the most part but not limited too: Augie on Guitar, Matty on Bass, and Roelke on Drums. Their latest CD released in 2008 "Consolidate Your Feelings" is available locally and at Shows. I have it and recommend it. And love it! Please check out the photos and listen to a few of the many diverse Muddy Udders songs in the gallery. So yes! Green Bay does have a psychobilly band and Muddy Udders are probably one of the best in the country. I would also rate them as one of the top ten best rock bands to see in the area. They have a few shows lined up in Green Bay before they take off for the windy city to get some radio air time on uicradio.org, Check them out at Party Line 03/21, IQs 03/27, and Crunchy Frog 03/28. They are well worth it.
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Their virtuoso skills infuse their music with an incredible energy and character which is totally original and refreshing.
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The master of toe slappin’ grease rock n’roll is the best description of Muddy Udders whose talent a...The master of toe slappin’ grease rock n’roll is the best description of Muddy Udders whose talent and outlook towers high above the average. Their virtuoso skills infuse their music with an incredible energy and character which is totally original and refreshing. If you want to see Muddy at their finest, see them at the Q!
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Two brothers (and another who looked like a brother), Matty, Augie and Roelke, jammed, rocked and partied like veteran musicians.
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Two brothers (and another who looked like a brother), Matty, Augie and Roelke, jammed, rocked and pa...Two brothers (and another who looked like a brother), Matty, Augie and Roelke, jammed, rocked and partied like veteran musicians. Finally being able to spot them through a crowd, three blonde, mop-topped guys in their early 20s were up on stage playing seemingly every genre of music there ever was. See them in Green Bay.
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They were very energetic and constantly kept the audience interacting with their randomly weird farm noises and their sporadic actions.
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They were very energetic and constantly kept the audience interacting with their randomly weird farm...They were very energetic and constantly kept the audience interacting with their randomly weird farm noises and their sporadic actions.
