The Muddy Reds

This album is as much a classic as any major label release you’ll hear from a platinum artist this year. - The Unsigned Sounds

"These aren't coattail riders of The White Stripes or The Black Keys, this is a quartet with a sound all their own-- a refined, soulful swamp revival with hints of Americana, classic 60s songwriting, and whiskey washed grooves... "

- Bandsoup

"From head to toe the Muddy Reds embody the gritty fuzz of their riffs and vocals. They are an undiscovered gem in the City of Los Angeles. A town full of hopefuls and wannabe rockers, these guys don’t wanna be, they are... - Jam in the Van

"It's been awhile since i've heard a good soulful rock'n'roll album I could honestly listen to from start to finish. That all ended when I found out about The Muddy Reds. Their latest release, Mannequin, is a nine track album that will have yourself asking why they're not signed-- at least that was my initial thought. This album has hints of Ryan Bingham's country style rock'n'roll peppered with a Kings Of Leon up-beat soulful feel. Give the album a good listen, because if the the swinging guitars and soulful vocals don't make your head nod you might want to check your pulse. " - Unsigned Sounds

A Los Angeles group whose swaggering rock and roll has continued to baffle crowds and "conjure images of dusty bones set against black sunrises, of sex and lost souls." Evoking our most primal urges to sweat and shake, booze and breathe, we must continue to ask ourselves why more groups like this aren't around. - Flavorpill.com

"These guys are going to turn up in your near future. You might be surprised where and when." - No Such Agency

"If there were some little barbecue joint on a country backroad where part of the audience is dressed in mod clothes and the other part of the audience is in ragged concert t-shirts and jeans, The Muddy Reds would be the house band. " - Examiner.com

It's been awhile since i've heard a good soulful rock'n'roll album I could honestly listen to from start to finish. That all ended when I found out about The Muddy Reds. Their latest release, Mannequin, is a nine track album that will have yourself asking why they're not signed-- at least that was my initial thought. This album has hints of Ryan Bingham's country style rock'n'roll peppered with a Kings Of Leon up-beat soulful feel. Give the album a good listen, because if the the swinging guitars and soulful vocals don't make your head nod you might want to check your pulse. Check their myspace, facebook, or bandcamp for updates. I believe they are touring around west at the moment. - Unsigned Sounds

"This is a soulful album right from the get go...The balance between blues rock and classic rock is as about perfect as one can get...This is one gem that everyone needs to know about." - http://thesodashop.wordpress.com

(Translated from French): "Everything is there. Nothing is missing. First one to the last title, all the ingredients are met to do this album a pure moment of auditory pleasure. A rock and roll that oozes by all the pores, a suspicion of soul and of blues... the all tied with ribbons in a beautiful package gift...and you obtain a likable mixture to the pronounced taste of spring, with its perfumed smells and its sparkling colors. The Muddy Reds maybe is becoming the good one surprised of this end of year." - My Car is Full of Plums

LA Talk Radio interview - March 22, 2010 - LA Talk Radio

It wasn’t a drought that sent lifelong Oklahoman Johnny Elkins to California, but he did seek greener pastures.

He grew up in Lawton, attended the University of Oklahoma and had been performing around Norman for a few years. When convinced that pursuing music as a career was the only way Elkins would be truly happy, he decided he needed a fresh start.

“It was just time for a change of pace,” he said.

So, in 2007, Elkins struck out for The Golden State alone in his pickup with only a few possessions and knowing just a few people in his new home.

A fateful night watching Marc Ford — former lead guitarist for The Black Crowes — at a tiny club would introduce Elkins to California native Nick Corney.

“We were sitting at the same table through a mutual friend,” Elkins said. “Ford would hit these licks that only (Corney) and I seem to catch on to. We would just look at each other and nod.”

The two started talking after the set. Realizing how similar their musical interests were, the pair vowed to jam together. Those sessions eventually led to the formation of The Muddy Reds with Texan Matt Ramirez on bass, with Corney and Elkins splitting vocal and guitar duties.

The guys would later pick up Michael Nussbaum after the original drummer split for law school.

Despite knowing each other for only a few months, the four found instant chemistry. Corney, Elkins and Ramirez even live together now.

“It’s been a real stroke of luck for us to all mesh so well, and that’s what people pick up on,” Elkins said. “We move together. We have this unspoken thing that binds the music together.”

And with two Californians, a Texan and an Oklahoman, The Muddy Reds became a true melting pot of musical influences and aspirations. Ramirez performed with punk bands while in Texas; Corney is into composers like Chopin; and Elkins grew up on steady doses of Leon Russell and Oklahoma artists like Travis Linville and Mike Hosty.

“It’s kind of hard for some people to pinpoint what our sound is, including us,” Elkins said with a laugh. “There are so many different avenues that we are listening to at once. Everybody has their different thing, but it’s all music that we all enjoy.”

The Muddy Reds’ overall aesthetic strikes a line somewhere between rock, blues and soul. Comparisons to The Black Keys or Cold War Kids are appropriate, although the group’s self-labeled “cosmic roots” sound definitely has its own place in the emergent trend of down-home rock ’n’ roll. Elkins said the rising popularity of this sort of music has helped set itself apart in a cutthroat Los Angeles music scene.

“People are getting back in touch with more honest music that hasn’t really been on the surface for a little while,” he said. “People are just getting tired of bullshit, ready to get back to something that hits their soul and feeds them a little deeper than packaged stuff constantly being shoved into their faces.”

Honest music has endeared the act to L.A., and Elkins said that many fans noted how fun it was to attend a show where the music came first.

“Everyone has got an agenda out here,” he said. “There’s no camaraderie. It’s all competition and not necessarily about having a fun time. Shoot, back home, you play out there, and people are dancing and having a good time, and they just check their egos at the door, which is what we are trying to do out here.”

Of course, Elkins is excited to make a return to his home state for Thursday’s gig in Norman, both to show people what he has been up to and introduce his band to a new side of the country.

“I went to shows at The Deli for years,” he said. “I’m ready to show the guys real America, to play in a real, down-home, honky-tonk place.” —Joshua Boydston - Oklahoma Gazette

The Muddy Reds are an L.A.-based band that recalls the best of classic rock and blues. Their self-described sound of “cosmic swamp roots” is like Creedence, the Black Crowes, the Black Keys, and the Rolling Stones all smashed up into one, with a bit of dirty blues for seasoning. The Reds were a hit at this year’s Venice Beach Music Fest 5 earlier this month. ”Katie Brown” is a track from their new album, set to be released in late September, which they will support with a tour of the southwest. Definitely check these guys out! - joysjam.com

"To get an idea of what genre of music The Muddy Reds kinda fall into, think The Black Keys with 5 members playing 5 instruments instead of only 2 members playing 2. I've been to 3 of their shows in less than 2 months & they've killed it every time. The Muddy Reds put on a musically creative & fantastically fun show where you just can't help but dance." - www.trendymusicguide.com

This week's episode of Desperate Housewives featured a newbie to the music world of sitcom background sounds. The Muddy Reds broke out with a classic rock sounding tune, “The Ballad of Millicent Marmer”. This song played during the scene where Susan is washing dishes in her kitchen, and spying across the street. It's faint, because its coming from a boom-box across the street in Danny's driveway. It cuts to Susan striding across the street, so the music is louder, and sounds like it could easily be heard on a classic rock or light rock radio station. But then, Susan does the unthinkable and turns the radio off! It was so abrupt, you'd want to hear more!

The Muddy Reds is an unsigned band with a lot of promise. Their genre is definitely rock and roll. They currently reside in the Los Angeles, California area and are performing at two upcoming shows this month. Another song to check out on their myspace is “Warbonnets & Wingsuits”. The harmonica in this song is a favorite. They currently do not have an EP out, so keep all eyes and ears open for one soon!

If you like The Eagles, or any classic rock for that matter, you'll like The Muddy Reds. They sound like The White Stripes meets The Eagles meets Bruce Springsteen's harmonica. They are definitely a band to keep your eye on. Definitely looking forward to an EP and more songs from these guys. You can get more information on The Muddy Reds by visiting www.myspace.com/themuddyreds. - Marie Leopardo