Mudmen are a Canadian Celtic rock band. They are best known for their singles "5 O'Clock", "Saturday", and "Drink and Fight" as well as their covers of Spirit of the West's "Home for a Rest" and AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)".
Mudmen | |
|---|---|
 Mudmen performing in 2016. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Alvinston/Petrolia, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Celtic rock |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | EMI, Sextent, Mudpiper records |
| Members | Robby Campbell Sandy Campbell Andy Gingerich Alex Showdra Colin Amey |
| Website | mudmen |
History
editThe Mudmen formed in Alvinston/Petrolia in 1998.[1][2] The original band members were vocalist Zoy Nicoles, guitarist Lonny Knapp, bassist Tommy Skilton, drummer Ryan McCaffrey and bagpipe-playing brothers Robby and Sandy Campbell who were the founding members, who had previously been signed with the EMI label under the name The Campbell Brothers.[3]
In 2001 the Mudmen performed at the Snow Jam festival in Halifax.[4] That year the band released a self-titled studio album; a second album, Overrated, was released in 2003. The band then toured across Canada with Bif Naked, and played at many festivals, including Edgefest. [5]
The Mudmen released 9 studio albums—Mudmen (2001), Overrated (2003), Defending The Kingdom (2005), The High Road (2009), Another Day (2010), Donegal Danny (2012), "Where I Came From" (2013), "Train" (2015), and "Old Plaid Shirt (2016).
The band's music has been featured in popular culture—their single "Lost", from their self-titled debut, was featured in a promotional video for the NBC television show The Black Donnelly's, and their single "Animal" was featured in the soundtracks of the video games Burnout 3: Takedown, MX vs. ATV Unleashed HBO'S Shameless . The Campbell Brothers "founding members" appear on the Bob and Doug's 24 anniversary special and have music featured on Don Cherry's hockey videos 9,19,2024,27,29 and coach's corner Dale Hunter Tribute. The Mudmen wrote and recorded the theme entrance music for WWE Wrestlers The Highlanders, reached #19 on the Edge radio top 20 countdown with 6 music videos on Much Music . Career highlights include meeting & performing for the Queen, performing at the 84 Edmonton oilers Stanley Cup re-union, The Oilers/Flames home opening ceremonies, 7 Grey Cups, 3 memorial Cups, 12 Canada's Walk of Fame Ceremonies,2 Special Olympic opening televised ceremonies opening up for legendary bands ZZ Top & The Guess Who.Mudmen and the Campbell Brothers have performed over 3000 shows to date.
The Mudmen are continuing to perform together.[6] The Brantford Blast and Brantford Red Sox are currently using the Mudmen's song "Go team Go" as their entrance theme.
Name and background
editThe band's name comes from the Campbell Brothers "founding members" occupation prior to forming the band. They were mixing mortar and carrying bricks for bricklayers.[7]
The band's music is influenced by traditional Scottish music, as well as hard rock groups such as AC/DC. Mudmen have opened for many well-known bands, including ZZ Top, Tool, Dropkick Murphys and Bowling for Soup, as well as fellow Canadians Nickelback, Sum 41 and The Guess Who.
Band members
editSandy Campbell - Bagpipes, Backup Vocals Robby Campbell - Bagpipes Colin Amey - Lead singer, Guitar Emmett Glancie- Bass Guitar, Backup Vocals Andy Gingerich - Drums, Percussion Alex Showdra - Electric Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Backup Vocals, Live Sound
Current band members
edit- Robby Campbell - Bagpipes
- Sandy Campbell - Bagpipes
- Colin Amey-Lead Singer, Acoustic Guitar
- Emmett Glancie- Bass Guitar,Backup Vocals
- Andy Gingerich - Drums, Percussion
- Alex Showdra - Electric Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Backup Vocals, Live Sound
Former band members
edit- Dan Westenenk - Bass Guitar
- Jeremy Burton - Drums
- Steve Gore - Vocals and Guitar
- Zois (ZOY) Nicoles - Lead Vocals
- Lonny Knapp - Guitar
- Tommy Skilton - Bass Guitar
- Ryan McCaffrey - Drums
- Mordy Harroch - vocals
- Alex Maletich-Guitar, Banjo & Mandolin
- Troy Spinney-Bass Guitar
- Matt Coburn-Guitar
- Mike Meacher - Vocals and Guitar
- Jordon Brosseau - Bass Guitar, backup Vocals
Discography
edit- Mudmen (2001, EMI)
- Overrated (2003 Sextent/EMI)
- Defending the Kingdom (2006 Mudpiper Records)
- The High Road (2009 Mudpiper Records)
- Another Day (2010, Mudpiper Records)
- Donegal Danny (2012, Mudpiper Records)
- Where I Came From (2013, Mudpiper Records)
- On a Train (2015, Mudpiper Records)
- Old Plaid Shirt (2016, Mudpiper Records)
- Best of Mudmen (2021,Mudpiper Records)
- Farmers Tan (2022,Mudpiper Records)
References
edit- ^ "Mudmen clean up nicely after 20 years in music business". Sarnia Journal, September 25, 2018. by Cathy Dobson.
- ^ "In the trenches with Mudmen". Oct 15, 2015 Niagara Falls Review
- ^ "Mudmen: Celtic Warriors of western Ontario". Dec 16, 2016 by Coral Andrews. Waterloo Region Record.
- ^ "Live: Snow Jam Halifax Citadel Hill Halifax, NS".[usurped]. Chart Attack, September 19, 2001, Review by: Ryan O'Connor
- ^ "Slackhopper says: Real men wear kilts". Soo Today, Sep 7, 2006. by: Donna Hopper
- ^ "Ottawa rings in the New Year early with Scottish Society celebration". Ottawa Citizen, Aedan Helmer, January 1, 2019
- ^ "Celtic rock band rolls into Drayton Valley". Western Review, Sharon Lockwood, October 31, 2017
External links
edit- Mudmen Official website
- Mudmen at MuchMusic
- Mudmen Official Facebook page