Music
Press
We first heard these guys a little while back on our favorite little west coast Radio Station, KEXP. Instantly impressed with their sound, we were surprised and excited to find out they were not from 3000 miles away where we'd never be able to see them, but right here in New York, playing local sets every other week or so. Lucky us! Their songs remind us of a young R.E.M. with their pointed yet gentle power pop tunes that find a way to latch onto your brain. We've been humming their song 'Daisy Cutter' all day.
Jeff Baum, GOTHAMIST
March 2006 - Gothamist
Rob Sacher, co-owner of the Lower East Side’s Luna Lounge, named The Mugs as one of his favorite bands currently playing in New York: “The Mugs are just brilliant... Great songwriters. Great Vibe. Great, great rhythm section.”
GOTHAMIST
August 2004
- Gothamist
"If I thought I was impressed before, I guess you could say I’m amazed now... 'Paper Scissors Rock' has the feel of a high-end professional job, without compromising its semi-acoustic lo-fi appeal... They’re in the enviable position of sounding as though they’ve been playing together forever."
Deepali Patel, CDREVIEWS.COM
February 2005 - CDReviews.com
If you're in the mood for alternative rock, with great melody and dito rhythm sections, you gotta check these promising songwriters out.
This Brooklyn-based band just released their first full-length album, entitled Paper Scissors Rock, on SkinnyFat Records. Aside from jazz and reggae influences, their music is a blend of various styles, however raised to a very specific sound.
CHARIVARIOUS SECTION
thecharivarioussections.blogspot.com
Belgium
October 2005 - Charivarious
… The Mugs recently released their debut, Paper Scissors Rock, and they've been getting some favorable attention for their, smart, confident, pop-minded rock music…
Mike Conklin, L MAGAZINE
"The Music Issue"
May 2006 - L Magazine
The story of Brooklyn-based band The Mugs also demonstrates the benefits that can go hand in hand with KEXP airtime. The band blindly sent over their debut album, Paper Scissors Rock, to KEXP, which landed in the hands of [John] Richards. He subsequently loved the CD and began playing a few tracks on the air. KEXP exposure was a boon for the band; their album soon hit various record stores and they've started selling records to places as far away as Germany and England.
Alia Akkam, PAPERMAG
from "Radio Heads : Seattle Radio Station KEXP Graces New York With Its Presence"
May 2006 - PAPERMAG
Here’s the thing, commercial radio, corporate media, the people that put themselves in charge of deciding what music does or doesn’t get heard, have no clue. Case in point, The Mugs. They came into the studio today and blew everyone away. With a beat that reminded me of the English Beat or even early Police and serious serious emotional energy behind it, this band should be one of those that are on every radio station in the country… or at least more than just a handful like KEXP. If you’re looking for that band that when you play all your friends turn to you and ask "who IS this?" this is the one.
John Richards, KEXP blog
May 2006 - KEXP blog
Do you remember college rock? It came around a few years before indie rock, and it was played by bands like R.E.M. and Camper Van Beethoven. It was, if you were of the appropriate age, the kind of stuff you stole from your older siblings - on cassette. We bring this up because like all great things, it's making a comeback. With their straightforward, upbeat pop songs, NYC's The Mugs offer a glimpse of the greatness we could once again have in store. - The L Magazine, July 8
Discography
"Here Tomorrow" - LP - 2007
"Paper Scissors Rock" - LP - 2005
"Daisy Cutter" - EP - 2004
Photos
Bio
The Mugs are a DIY 4-piece rock band from Brooklyn, NY. Drawing comparisons to REM, Neutral Milk Hotel, and The Stone Roses, The Mugs have self-released 3 albums (2LPs and 1 EP), played shows around the country on self-booked tours, and built their own recording studio in a warehouse.
In February 2005, The Mugs self-released their first full-length album, Paper Scissors Rock, on their own label, SkinnyFat Records.
In May 2006, The Mugs were asked to be a part of the KEXP (www.kexp.org) live "in -studio" performances at Gigantic Studios in New York City. After The Mugs performed, John Richards of KEXP had this to say on the KEXP blog:
"[The Mugs] came into the studio today and blew everyone away [T]his band should be one of those that are on every radio station in the country. If youre looking for that band that when you play all your friends turn to you and ask "who IS this?" this is the one."
The Mugs perform at venues throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, including Union Hall, Southpaw, and Magnetic Field (RIP), as well as Rockwood Music Hall, Mercury Lounge, and Fontanas.
In an interview with the Gothamist, Rob Sacher, owner of the Luna Lounge, named The Mugs as one of his favorite bands currently playing in New York: "The Mugs are just brilliant...Great songwriters. Great Vibe. Great, great rhythm section."
L Magazine named The Mugs 1 of 7 "must see" bands of New York City. They also had this to say:
"Do you remember college rock? It came around a few years before indie rock, and it was played by bands like R.E.M. and Camper Van Beethoven. It was, if you were of the appropriate age, the kind of stuff you stole from your older siblings - on cassette. We bring this up because like all great things, it's making a comeback. With their straightforward, upbeat pop songs, NYC's The Mugs offer a glimpse of the greatness we could once again have in store." (July 8th)
The Mugs completed a self-booked tour across the States (from coast to coast), which included live radio performances at KHUM (Ferndale, CA) and KEXP (Seattle), and shows at such great venues as the Hide Out (Chicago), Hotal Utah (San Fran), Sunset Tavern (Seattle), and Schubas (Chicago).
The Mugs spent the winter months recording their second full-length album, Here Tomorrow. It was released on August 28, 2007, and in addition to writing and performing the material, The Mugs recorded, produced, and released "Here Tomorrow" on their own label.
The Mugs have an EP due out at the end of August 2008.
Links
