Michigan-based Mustard Plug have been making people skank for over fifteen years. They have fans all over the globe but have managed to remain relatively underground and are a truly DIY band. Trumpet player Brandon Jenison spoke to Push to Fire in January 2010 about life in Mustard Plug and the band's plans for 2010.
Who would you cite as being your five main influences when it comes to music (composition or performance wise)?
This list may vary from member to member on a personal level, but as a band...probably the Descendents, the Specials, Fishbone, etc. Mostly early punk and hardcore and two-tone ska.
A bit of history...How long has the band been together and is the current line up the same as the line up when you first started?
The band started with Dave and Colin in 1991 and there have been many to come and go through the years. I joined in '95 and Jim in '96, so the four of us have been together for a while. Rick and Nathan joined about 5 years ago or so and its been the most solid lineup we've ever had, musically speaking. I think we made a list once of every member and it was well over 20 people.
Did any of you play in other bands before Mustard Plug?
Jim was in a Detroit ska-band called the Exceptions. Rick was in a band from Muskegon, MI called the Wack Trucks, and we stole Nate from a couple of groups in the Kalamazoo area, Kiss me Quick and Nobody's Favorite.
I would say that you are a very DIY band when it comes to managing your web site and touring etc. - would you agree with that? And what are your opinions on bands being DIY?
DIY has been Mustard Plugs way of life from the beginning and I don't see much changing there. It's important mainly because it gives us complete control over our music and product. Its never been easy, but nothing good in life ever is, right?
Do any of the members of Mustard Plug play in any other bands or do any solo stuff?
Rick has a solo project and continues to tour, all by himself. Nate and Colin have tinkered with other groups also.
And which of your labelmates do you think our readers should check out?
Well, to be honest, I hardly know any of our "labelmates" anymore. The label has changed an awful lot since our heyday in the late '90s, and its much more of a farm club for major-labels now. No offence, I like the owners and everything, they've just shifted their focus in the past few years to Warped-tour bands and things that sell better than ska.
And if we had enough money to buy ONE album from your back catalogue which one should we invest in?
Just get the "Greatest hits" or Masterpieces or whatever it's called - if you want all the best stuff we play live. The record "In Black and White" that we made in 2007 is really our best, though, in my opinion.
Skank By Numbers is probably my favourite MP song because it really does make me want to skank around the room. What's your favourite Mustard Plug and why?
I like the songs that are sung by Colin probably the best, because I usually get to sing backup on them so they're fun to play live.
What's the best thing and what's the worst thing about being on tour?
Fast food and not being able to find a quality toilet.
What could we expect to see on a typical MP rider?
The usual- 3 cases of beer, case of water, bag of chips, salsa, veggie tray, candy. If we're lucky a bottle of booze. The basics.
Your name is Mustard Plug... does everyone in the band actually like mustard?
I think so, there are so many kinds of mustard, how could you not like at least one?
In your opinion what goes best with fries - ketchup, mustard, mayo or something else?!
I just like ketchup, typically. Unless we're in England, then I like them with vinegar or HP sauce.
Which gig or tour has been most memorable and why?
That's really hard to say after 15 years of touring, but I'll go with Japan. We went there 3 times in a 3 year period from 1998-2000 and it was the most fun because none of us could speak japanese and we were basically taken care of the whole time. Plus, I love sushi and the culture and toys.
If you had to argue that ska was the greatest genre of music what would your three points be to support that view?
1. It's survived three "waves" or more and over 40 years in existence(starting with real Jamaican Ska in the 60's.
2. It can blend together with so many other genres like punk, hardcore, rock, etc...
3. It brings together a diverse group of people with an energetic beat and danceable rhythms.
Have you heard much stuff from the UK ska punk scene and if so how do you think it compares to the US ska punk scene?
We've played with a few UK ska groups in the past. The scene was going pretty good last time we were there. i remember some groups like Lightyear and Howard's Alias - they were fun to tour with. Looking forward to getting back over in April this year and seeing more!
I'm very much looking forward to seeing you at Groezrock festival in Belgium this year, nice to have some ska punk on the line up. Have you played the festival before?
Never played Groezrock, but it should be fun. I'm just happy to get overseas again and play in Europe and the UK.
Which other bands on the bill are you eager to check out?
I'll probably check out Bouncing Souls, Bad Religion and Aggrolites.
What type of shows do you prefer to play and why: small venues, larger indoor stages, outdoor festivals..
I like about 500 capacity venues the best, not too big, not too small. Outdoors is always a crapshoot- because mother nature doesn't give a crap who you are and it could be cold, rainy, too hot, etc..
What are your other plans for 2010? Which countries are you planning on touring?
We're currently writing songs for another album, so I hope we finish that this year. Our bass player has a recording studio where we practice and I think we'll track most of it there. We'll probably hit parts of the states by mid-year. And, of course, we're coming to Europe and the UK in April. See you there!
