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Mustard Plug

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Mustard Plug
OriginGrand Rapids, Michigan, United States
GenresSka punk, pop punk
Years active1991–present
LabelsHopeless, No Idea Records, Bad Time Records
MembersDave Kirchgessner
Brandon Jenison
Jim Hofer
Nate Cohn
Colin Clive
Mark Petz
Greg Witulski
Past membersRick Johnson
Bleu VanDyke
Michael Skowron
Craig DeYoung
Nick Varano
Bob Kneisel
Kevin Dixon
Brad Rozier
John Massel
Matt Van
Brandon Power
Mike McKendrick
Websitewww.mustardplug.com

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. As of 2024, 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

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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 Masterpieces: 1991–2002.

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.

Line-up

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Past members

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  • Rick Johnson - bass (2004–2021)
  • Anthony Vilchez - bass (1991–1994)
  • Craig DeYoung - bass (1994–2001), alto saxophone (1992–1994)
  • Matt Van - bass (2001–2004)
  • Mike McKendrick - drums (1991–1993)
  • Michael Skowron - trombone (1993-1995), tenor saxophone (1993-1995)
  • Nick Varano - drums (1993–1999)
  • Brad Rozier - drums (1999–2004)
  • John Massel - drums (2004-2005)
  • Bob Engelsman - trombone (1992–1994)
  • Bleu VanDyke - trombone (1995–1998)
  • Kevin Dixon - tenor saxophone (1996–1998)

Timeline

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Discography

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Albums

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EPs

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  • Hey! (2024, Dashiki Clout Records)

Music videos

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  • Summertime (1992)
  • Mr. Smiley (1993)
  • Beer (song) (1995)
  • You (1997)
  • Everything Girl (1999)
  • Hit Me! Hit Me! (2007)
  • Over the Edge (2007)
  • Fall Apart (2023)
  • Vampire (2023)
  • Doin' What We Do (2023)
  • Where Did All My Friends Go? (2023)
  • Why Does it Have To Be So Hard? (2023)

Hopeless Records compilation appearances

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  • Lolita and Never Be appear on Hopelessly Devoted to You, Vol. II (1998)
  • Yesterday and Already Gone appear on Hopelessly Devoted to You, Vol. 3 (2000)
  • Away from Here and Not Enough appear on Hopelessly Devoted to You, Vol. 4 (2002)
  • You and Over the Edge appear on Hopelessly Devoted to You, Vol. 6 (2006)

References

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  1. ^ Early, Rosalind (May 9, 2011). "Mustard Plug Wants You To Know Ska is Not Dead". Stlmag.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  2. ^ "mustard plug - history". Archived from the original on March 5, 2012.
  3. ^ "Garageland: Mustard Plug • Music / Video • exclaim.ca". Archived from the original on September 29, 2012.
  4. ^ Housewives? (July 6, 2007). "Battle of the Midwestern Housewives: Mustard Plug Interview: Talks about New Album, Breakfast Cereals, and more!". Midwesternhousewives.blogspot.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  5. ^ "MUSTARD PLUG". Bad Time Records. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Gr, Rachael Recker | The; Press, Rapids (July 15, 2010). "Mustard Plug plays Bikestock Dos in downtown Grand Rapids". Mlive.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Mustard Plug delivers ska to the Midwest, South". Soundspike.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "Mustard Plug New Record!". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Pouzza Fest, 7th Edition - May 19 to 21, 2017". CJLO AM Radio, by Robert Portnoff // May 29, 2017
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