the Muggs
Detroit, Michigan, United States | SELF
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The Ugliest Band in the World is back with enough plastic soul to bag up the whole city! Our hometown heroes have been working hard to bring you their latest: BORN UGLY releases on April 29th. I'm the luckout that got to listen to it over the last couple of weeks and can say that it has set the bar out of sight.
With tales of new journeys and mysterious midnights, BORN UGLY sounds different from past work yet still delivers that unmistakable Muggs sound. They school the average Detroit "Kid" on bluesy-rock by nailing it every time without pouring on the cheese. Recorded with Jim Diamond at Ghetto Records, Danny and Tony have polished their skills and solidified their sound with new drummer Todd Glass. All The Muggs you'd expect + more horsepower.
Born Ugly has an epic, heavier sound than previous albums. While On with the Show was about getting on with life, this album seems to be about where life went after that. Since this Great American Band has opened for several established musicians, survived a near-death experience, acquired a new drummer after a decade with the same lineup, AND toured Spain, they've got a lot to sing about!
Upon my first listen I noticed a new level of intensity that adds drama to the usual Muggy lightheartedness. Title track "Born Ugly", and "Sturm Und Drang" are both moody and brooding with the kind delicious discontent that belongs in Rock n Roll. "Hats off to Mr. Beardsly" reminds us that these guys grew up in the good old days and haven't forgotten about Metal; so heavily seasoned that it sprinkles some fresh black into the blues. Danny truly has the chops to be featured in "Guitar Hero". This album, as with the others, is a collection of his guitar skills from start to finish. If you haven't yet, you have GOT to see this kid climb onstage in corduroy and murder his guitar.
"Blood Meridian" and "Losing End Blues" are very classically Muggs flavored and give you what you're looking for from these boys. Tony's unique brand of keyboard bass has become the factor that makes The Muggs so distinctive; I've come to listen for and enjoy the difference he makes. The Muggs have maintained their specific sound over three albums without getting stale, and seem to have the ability to make an edge out of any obstacle. Time and pressure have served them well since it appears to have only strengthened their talents and determination. The song "Home free" wanders easily from solid rock to airy lightness and showcases the wide range that the band has cultivated over the years.
"World Around" is a rare ballad for The Muggs, a short & sweet palate cleanser cleverly set right before they hit you with everything they've got in their "Kitchen Sink Blues". "Last Words" is a fitting finale-jam for a well-rounded album that provides plenty of reasons to leave your seat. 13 tracks in all; several have made me dance in my kitchen and sing in the car (how I gauge the greatness of any album). Money-maker tested, Moneypenny approved! With perfect timing for bonfires and beers, BORN UGLY is a staple for the summer soundtrack.
If you're like a lot of Detroiters and prefer your sounds preserved in wax, CHECK THIS!!!
The Muggs seem to be gearing up, not winding down. I predict many great shows in the upcoming months. Misery sure loves company...and Ugly Muggs! Bring yours to the Magic Bag on Friday, April 29th and join us for the release of BORN UGLY! See you there!
Cheers,
Moneypenny
- Motor City Blog
Back In 2007 the FOX network debuted a show called "The Next Great American Rock Band" it was a competition to see which unsigned band was the best, and one band stuck out for me, they were a blues rock band from Detroit called "The Muggs" they advanced to the top 12, but were voted off. but the name stuck with me, later in time we reviewed their CD called "On With The Show" back in 2008, which was superb. and now its 2011, and the band have released a new CD called "Born Ugly" the first thing I noticed was the sound of the recording, it's got a 70's feel to it, which I really like. the band consists of Danny Methric- Vocals, guitar, Tony DeNardo- Rhodes Bass, and Todd Glass- Drums, and these 3 make a very tight unit. Born Ugly contain 13 songs, all rocking, I can hear alot of Led Zeppelin influences, and some songs even remind me a band called Kyuss from back in the 90's. standout songs for me are the opener "Born Ugly" "Home Free" "Clean Break Blues" "To Midnite" which has a "Radar Love" feel right in the middle of the song, and a very moody number called "Sturm Und Drang" I've noticed a heavier sound than previous efforts on "Born Dirty" all in all, if you like good soulful blues rock, then The Muggs are for you. go to The Muggs for info on the band. - Loud Reviews
Discography
We have 3 LP's entitled, "the Muggs"(2005), "On With The Show"(2008) & "Born Ugly"(2011). We have 1 Single(A Side/B Side) entitled, "The Bite Of The Weredog"(2008).
DVD- The Muggs Slow Curve Music Video/2 Live Songs/RareStudioFootage(32+ minutes in all)
Streaming songs can be found at www.themuggs.com or at www.myspace.com/themuggs
Photos
Bio
THE MUGGS
(www.themuggs.com)
The Muggs are a three piece blues rock band hailing from Detroit, Michigan. The Muggs
formed in 2000 with all three members: Danny Methric on guitar & lead vox, Tony DeNardo on
bass guitar & backing vox and Matt Rost on drums.
From February 2000 through September 2001, the Muggs enjoyed playing many shows
and gaining the hearts of fans throughout metro Detroit. However, this was short lived after
DeNardo suffered a stroke at 28 years old which nearly ended his young life. As fairy tales go,
DeNardo was able to rejoin the band almost exactly two years from that fateful day in September
2003. This time, he was playing his bass lines on a Fender Rhodes piano through a bass
amplifier. The result........the Muggs are back in business!
In August 2004, the Muggs were signed to indie label Times Beach Records and in July
2005, the Muggs released their self titled LP, "The Muggs". The Muggs worked with Dodge in
2005 and 2006 sponsoring their Charger on line with three songs, "Need Ya Baby", "Gonna
Need My Help" and "Rollin' B-Side Blues". In January 2007, the Muggs were on PBS(aired in
the entire nation of Canada & all of Michigan) for a one hour live concert and documentary as
part of a rock and roll series, "Rock n' Roll Safari". Also, in January 2007, the Muggs toured in
Spain for two weeks. The Muggs were part of a documentary celebrating 30 years of Star Wars
fandom entitled, The Force Among Us (2007). The Muggs licensed "Need Ya Baby" off their 1st
LP, "The Muggs". This limited edition documentary sold 1,977 copies across the world!
Later that year in August 2007, the Muggs were selected to audition for the Fox T.V.
show, "The Next Great American Band" and were selected to the Top 12 out of 10,000+
applicants. The Muggs were on "The Next Great American Band" for four episodes and got to
play two originals for the entire nation to see. "Should've Learned My Lesson" off the Muggs
first LP, and "Slow Curve" off their "yet to be released" 2nd LP.
The Muggs won Riff 2's(local WRIF on line radio) "Best Rock Band of the Year 2007"
award in February 2008 and will release their 2nd LP, entitled "On With The Show" on May 9th
2008. The Muggs have teamed up with Dodge in 2008 yet again for a promotional comp cd
entitled, "Out of Detroit & into Dodge". "Need Ya Baby" off the Muggs 1st LP, is the song
Dodge selected to be on the compilation. Dodge is pressing 100,000 cd's to go over to Europe
and into Dodge Dealerships. Lucky, new EU buyers of Dodge automobiles get the comp cd!
At the 2008 Detroit Music Awards, the Muggs won "Outstanding Rock Artist/Group"
and Danny Methric, guitarist/lead singer of the Muggs won "Outstanding Rock/Pop
Instrumentalist" for his electric guitar playing!
On May 9th, 2008 the Muggs released their 2nd LP entitled, "On With The Show"! The Muggs currently have 83,000+ fans on www.myspace.com. In the August 2008 issue of Classic Rock Magazine, the Muggs review of "On With The Show" received an 8/10! The Muggs have opened for countless classic rock and various national acts including Jack Bruce of Cream, Mountain, Robin Trower, Cactus, Savoy Brown, Thin Lizzy, Ten Years After, Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple/Black Sabbath, Johnny Lang, Candlebox, Ian McLagan of Small Faces & Faces, North Mississippi Allstars, Warrant, the Verve Pipe, Electric Six, & the Detroit Cobras.
In October 2008, the Muggs released a single entitled, “Bite Of The Weredog”, a Halloween single with a b side from the “On With The Show” sessions. In December 2008, the Muggs were listed as 'the 100 HOT Unsigned Bands' in Music Connection.
January 2009, USA Today selected the Muggs sophomore LP, "On With The Show" as #5 record of the year for 2008 via the Nightwatchers House Of Rock blog site. In April 2009, during the NCAA Final Four Men's Basketball Tournament, Fox Sports Radio played the Muggs on national radio. On Friday, April 17th the Muggs were nominated and won Outstanding Rock/Pop Recording 2009 for the album “On With The Show” at the 2009 Detroit Music Awards . In May 2009, the Muggs won Best Indie Rock Band in the ever popular metro Detroit publication, Real Detroit Weekly.
In October 2009, the Muggs had two songs, “Should’ve Learned My Lesson” and “If You Please” in the indie film entitled, “Stick It In Detroit” off their first LP “The Muggs”. Later that same month, they were invited to provide “Slow Curve” to the indie film “Annabelle & Bear” off their second LP “On With The Show”.
In April 2010, the Muggs did their 2nd tour of Spain covering 12 cities in 12 days! On July 20, 2010 on A&E's "Gene Simmons Family Jewels", the Muggs song "All Around You" from their 2nd LP "On With The Show" is a featured clip.
On August 27th, 2010 the Muggs released their first music video, Slow Curve, with an internationally award winning filmmaker, Jeff Schultz(www.knag
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