Mudmen

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)".

This article is about the Canadian rock band. For the instrumental by Pink Floyd, see Mudmen (instrumental).
Mudmen
Mudmen performing in 2016.
Background information
OriginAlvinston/Petrolia, Ontario, Canada
GenresCeltic rock
Years active1998–present
LabelsEMI, Sextent, Mudpiper records
Associated actsCampbell Brothers
Websitemudmen.ca
MembersRobby Campbell
Sandy Campbell
Dan Westenenk
Jeremy Burton
Mike Meacher

History

The 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]

In 2004 Zoy Nicoles, Lonny Knapp, Tommy Skilton and Ryan McCaffrey were replaced with Steve Gore, Anthony Albanese, Mario Bozza and Jeremy Burton. A further album, Defending the Kingdom, was released in 2005.[5] In 2008 Robby & Sandy Campbell were called in to help out in CBC's Hockey Night in Canada Anthem Challenge, in which they played the Bagpipes on Colin Oberst's "Canadian Gold", the winning anthem.

The Mudmen released further studio albums—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 Donnellys, and their single "Animal" was featured in the soundtracks of the video games Burnout 3: Takedown and MX vs. ATV Unleashed. The Campbell Brothers "founding members" appear on the Bob and Dougs 24 anniversary special and have music featured on Don Cherry's hockey videos 9,19,20. The Mudmen have recently recorded the music for the Edmonton Oilers TV show Oil Change 3.

As of 2018 the Mudmen are continuing to perform together.[6] The Brantford Blast are currently using the Mudmen's song "Go team Go" as their entrance theme.

Name and background

The 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

Current band members
  • Mike Meacher - Vocals,Guitar,Banjo & Mandolin
  • Dan Westenenk - Bass Guitar
  • Jeremy Burton - Drums
  • Robby Campbell - Bagpipes
  • Sandy Campbell - Bagpipes

Former band members
  • Steve Gore - Vocals and Guitar
  • Zois (ZOY) Nicoles - Lead Vocals
  • Lonny Knapp - Guitar
  • Tommy Skilton - Bass Guitar
  • Ryan McCaffrey - Drums
  • Alex Maletich-Guitar,Banjo & Mandolin
  • Mario Bozza - Bass Guitar
  • Troy Spinney-Bass Guitar
  • Matt Coburn-Guitar
  • Steve Volk-Drums
  • John Allan-Drums

Discography
  • 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)

References
  1. "Mudmen clean up nicely after 20 years in music business". Sarnia Journal, September 25, 2018. by Cathy Dobson.
  2. "In the trenches with Mudmen". Oct 15, 2015 Niagara Falls Review
  3. "Mudmen: Celtic Warriors of western Ontario". Dec 16, 2016 by Coral Andrews. Waterloo Region Record.
  4. "Live: Snow Jam Halifax Citadel Hill Halifax, NS".. Chart Attack, September 19, 2001, Review by: Ryan O'Connor
  5. "Slackhopper says: Real men wear kilts". Soo Today, Sep 7, 2006. by: Donna Hopper
  6. "Ottawa rings in the New Year early with Scottish Society celebration". Ottawa Citizen, Aedan Helmer, January 1, 2019
  7. "Celtic rock band rolls into Drayton Valley". Western Review, Sharon Lockwood, October 31, 2017
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