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From today's Detroit News:
Muggs' shot: Local group gets a big break with 'Next Band'
Melody Baetens / The Detroit News
Those familiar with the Detroit rock scene may have noticed a few recognizable faces in promos for Fox's "The Next Great American Band," a new reality show produced by the team that brought viewers "American Idol."
The sight of Metro Detroit's own beloved hard blues/rock trio the Muggs has local folks wondering how the band got on the show and how big a part it'll play.
"I'm going to try to watch it, but I don't want to sit through two hours of the other crap," says Willy Wilson, promoter for the Magic Bag in Ferndale, where the Muggs frequently play. "I'm excited for them though."
The Muggs formed in early 2000, but less than two years later, the East Side band suffered a major setback when bass player Tony DeNardo experienced a hemorrhagic stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak.
With the help of friends, family, fans and physical therapy, DeNardo recuperated enough to play his bass lines using his left hand on a Fender Rhodes keyboard. After DeNardo's recovery, the band was unstoppable, winning over fans worldwide with its charm, perseverance and, above all, stellar musicianship.
The band -- DeNardo, guitarist Dan Methric and drummer Matt Rost -- isn't allowed to discuss the show, but Fox publicist Jill Hudson says the Muggs was one of 61 bands chosen from audition tapes to audition for the show in Las Vegas.
Tonight, "The Next Great American Band" will reveal the other 60 bands in a two-hour premiere, where three judges will narrow the 61 bands down to 12. Judges include Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls; percussionist Sheila E., known for work with Prince and Ringo Starr; and Ian "Dicko" Dickson, who's an Australian television personality and judge on "Australian Idol." Dominic Bowden, host of "New Zealand Idol," will host "The Next Great American Band."
Only one band will be named "The Next Great American Band" during the season finale on Dec. 21. That group will win a record deal.
Like "American Idol," contestants advance by gaining votes from viewers. Two bands will be cut each week for three weeks, and then one band a week will lose out until the Dec. 21 season finale. Fox's Hudson would neither confirm nor deny whether the Muggs would advance past the premiere episode.
The Muggs released a self-titled debut album on local label Times Beach Records in 2005 to positive reviews overall. In 2006, the band released a DVD of a live performance at the Magic Stick.
This year was huge for the trio. The Muggs toured Spain for two weeks, and Real Detroit Weekly readers voted them the "Best Blues Artist/Group."
The Muggs' music has been featured in commercials, compilation CDs and even an upcoming "Star Wars" documentary called "The Force Among Us" by Cristian and Cortney Macht. The band was exposed to a new crowd of older fans when it was asked to open up for its members' heroes, blues rock legends Cactus, at the Magic Bag in July.
The Muggs' home base is the Cadieux Café in Detroit, where the band not only cut its teeth playing live, but also where front man Methric works as a bartender. Fans can gather there and at Small's Bar in Hamtramck -- another frequent haunt of the band -- for "The Next Great American Band" viewing parties at 8 p.m. Friday nights for as long as the Muggs are on the show.
"We will have official Muggs merchandise to give away, drink specials, live music after the show and possibly new TVs," says Cadieux Café owner Ron Devos.
You can reach Melody Baetens at (313) 222-2402 or mbaetens@ detnews.com.
Muggs' shot: Local group gets a big break with 'Next Band'
Melody Baetens / The Detroit News
Those familiar with the Detroit rock scene may have noticed a few recognizable faces in promos for Fox's "The Next Great American Band," a new reality show produced by the team that brought viewers "American Idol."
The sight of Metro Detroit's own beloved hard blues/rock trio the Muggs has local folks wondering how the band got on the show and how big a part it'll play.
"I'm going to try to watch it, but I don't want to sit through two hours of the other crap," says Willy Wilson, promoter for the Magic Bag in Ferndale, where the Muggs frequently play. "I'm excited for them though."
The Muggs formed in early 2000, but less than two years later, the East Side band suffered a major setback when bass player Tony DeNardo experienced a hemorrhagic stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak.
With the help of friends, family, fans and physical therapy, DeNardo recuperated enough to play his bass lines using his left hand on a Fender Rhodes keyboard. After DeNardo's recovery, the band was unstoppable, winning over fans worldwide with its charm, perseverance and, above all, stellar musicianship.
The band -- DeNardo, guitarist Dan Methric and drummer Matt Rost -- isn't allowed to discuss the show, but Fox publicist Jill Hudson says the Muggs was one of 61 bands chosen from audition tapes to audition for the show in Las Vegas.
Tonight, "The Next Great American Band" will reveal the other 60 bands in a two-hour premiere, where three judges will narrow the 61 bands down to 12. Judges include Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls; percussionist Sheila E., known for work with Prince and Ringo Starr; and Ian "Dicko" Dickson, who's an Australian television personality and judge on "Australian Idol." Dominic Bowden, host of "New Zealand Idol," will host "The Next Great American Band."
Only one band will be named "The Next Great American Band" during the season finale on Dec. 21. That group will win a record deal.
Like "American Idol," contestants advance by gaining votes from viewers. Two bands will be cut each week for three weeks, and then one band a week will lose out until the Dec. 21 season finale. Fox's Hudson would neither confirm nor deny whether the Muggs would advance past the premiere episode.
The Muggs released a self-titled debut album on local label Times Beach Records in 2005 to positive reviews overall. In 2006, the band released a DVD of a live performance at the Magic Stick.
This year was huge for the trio. The Muggs toured Spain for two weeks, and Real Detroit Weekly readers voted them the "Best Blues Artist/Group."
The Muggs' music has been featured in commercials, compilation CDs and even an upcoming "Star Wars" documentary called "The Force Among Us" by Cristian and Cortney Macht. The band was exposed to a new crowd of older fans when it was asked to open up for its members' heroes, blues rock legends Cactus, at the Magic Bag in July.
The Muggs' home base is the Cadieux Café in Detroit, where the band not only cut its teeth playing live, but also where front man Methric works as a bartender. Fans can gather there and at Small's Bar in Hamtramck -- another frequent haunt of the band -- for "The Next Great American Band" viewing parties at 8 p.m. Friday nights for as long as the Muggs are on the show.
"We will have official Muggs merchandise to give away, drink specials, live music after the show and possibly new TVs," says Cadieux Café owner Ron Devos.
You can reach Melody Baetens at (313) 222-2402 or mbaetens@ detnews.com.