You
gotta hand it to a band playing straight-ahead blues rock and calling
themselves The Ugliest Band in the World. Yessir, The Muggs were
not created by P. Diddy, but I’m sure ever he wouldn’t
be able to resist an occasional fist pump at a Muggs show. The Muggs
(consisting of Danny Methric on vocals and guitar, Tony DeNardo
on bass and Matt Rost on drums) are one of those bands tons of people
have heard of, but not every one of them has heard. Part of that
could be due to their being out of the Detroit limelight for a couple
years. Back in 2001, DeNardo had a hemorrhagic stroke that left
him unable to speak and his entire right side of his body paralyzed.
His band mates went on to other projects, but never broke up The
Muggs. They were simply on hold and waiting for Tony. Fast forward
a couple years The Muggs have returned. Tony is now feeling better
and playing bass keyboards, rockin’ packed record release
parties for The Muggs’ debut self-titled album on Times Beach
Records. Before The Muggs slide into the Blind Pig this July, The
Ann Arbor Paper emailed Tony to see what was new.
Ann
Arbor Paper: Let’s start with your title, The Ugliest
Band in the World? Where did that come from?
Tony DeNardo: It started off as a joke. You know,
KISS was the greatest band in the world, so The Muggs . . . the
ugliest band in the world. Danny came up with that saying, and we
still have Uncle Bucky announce us whenever he can, right before
we hit the first note.
A2P: That’s awesome. Just like KISS. If The
Muggs are The Ugliest Band in the World, then just who is The Prettiest
Band in the World? Backstreet Boys? New York Dolls?
TD: Hmmm . . . right now the prettiest band in
the word IS The New York Dolls. I just saw them at the Majestic
Theatre in Detroit last month and David Johansen has either the
best hair for an old rock n’roller or that’s gotta be
a wig!
A2P: You guys have had quite the past few years,
to say the least. How does it feel to be back up on stage rockin’
out once again? Has music been therapeutic for you at all?
TD: I’ve been back playing the Rhodes as
a bass since September 2003. Back then, I wasn’t as well as
I am now, so it was terrifying for me. I had to do it even though
I was afraid to. Now, it’s like an addiction to perform. I
gotta have music! Music has always been an escape for me. Recently,
I’ve picked up acoustic guitar again and tried strumming chords
with my right arm. It’s been very difficult to do, but all
I can say is I’m gaining on it.
A2P:I know you guys have all known each other for a long
time but how was it the idea for The Muggs came about? Where did
the name The Muggs come from?
TD: The Muggs was Danny’s idea. We had just
broken up our alternative rock band Fat Belly Brown because we weren’t
having fun anymore. Because me and Danny are blues musicians, it
seemed like a great idea to pursue something closer to home, the
blues. The name came from me and Danny always using the word “mugg”
around our drummer Matt. For example, if I were to ask Danny to
pass me over a beer, I’d say, “Pass that mugg over here.”
So one day, Matt said, “Dude, we should call ourselves The
Muggs”. It had to be two g’s because otherwise we’d
be coffee mugs.
A2P: In a world of rockin’ blues rock fakers,
you guys keep it real with the bluesy sound. Who would you say are
some of The Muggs favorite blues artists out there in the past or
present?
TD: The Muggs definitely are Humble Pie, Free,
ZZ TOP and James Gang fans.
A2P: What was the last song or album that made you cry?
TD: Nine Inch Nails makes me wanna puke. Does that count?
A2P: Sure does. Since this issue is our Michigan-themed
issue, what do you like and dislike the most about the mitten state?
TD: Well, I love Detroit. I love that Detroit is the music
capitol of the world again. I do loathe the Michigan roads though.
A2P: What band or artist would The Muggs walk across
burning hot coals to open up for?
TD:
The Black Keys, perhaps?
A2P:
Any words of wisdom for local fans who will be seeing The Muggs
for the first time at your upcoming Blind Pig record release show?TD:
Wear a diaper, because yer gonna mess yer pants after hearing The
Muggs.
A2P: Wow, you should put that on a t-shirt! So
where do you see The Muggs in the year 2010?
TD: Our first LP comes out July 19th, 2005. Beyond
that, I’m not good at predictions, just rock’n’roll.
The Muggs’ CD release party will be on July 27 at the
Blind Pig. With the Hard Lessons. 208 S. First Street, Ann Arbor.
996-8555, blindpigmusic.com. $7/$10 under 21. Doors 9:30.
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