The Mugs

This Detroit-based band, formed in 2000 by guitarist Danny Methric and bassist Tony DeNardo, They decided to shake things up with a bluesy rock sound that set them apart from their previous projects. They soon joined forces with drummer Matt Rost, and by October 2000, they were already recording their first EP and performing live. These guys wasted no time!

A significant turning point for The Muggs came in March 2001 when they were invited to play at the Hamtramck Blowout, an epic Detroit music festival featuring hundreds of bands. You can bet your bottom dollar that this show put them on the map and expanded their fan base. The guys kept rocking on, hitting new venues and festivals, until tragedy struck on September 2nd, 2002. Tony DeNardo faced a serious medical emergency in the form of a stroke, leaving him paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak. This unexpected turn forced The Muggs into a temporary (and potentially permanent) hiatus. Ouch!

Now, here's where the rock and roll spirit of this band truly shines. The remaining band members rallied around their fallen comrade and continued making music with other projects. Meanwhile, Tony sought medical treatment in Southern California. Thanks to the unwavering support of bandmates, fans, and other bands they performed with and befriended over the years, The Muggs managed to raise funds for Tony's recovery through three rockin' fundraisers. Talk about a true rock family sticking together!

Although Tony was still not fully recovered, he found inspiration when a friend, Matt Smith, suggested he try his bass lines on a Rhodes keyboard. Lo and behold, that electric feeling of music surged through his veins once again! After two long years of rehabilitation, The Muggs were back like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The guys wasted no time and hit the ground running, announcing their triumphant return to their fans and planning an upcoming tour. They caught the attention of the indie label Times Beach Records, sealing the deal and starting to make big plans.

Their self-titled album, "The Muggs," dropped on July 19, 2005, and the fire quickly spread. Their songs even made it onto the soundtrack for the documentary "Rockumentary." As the band continued to grow, they started claiming new fans not only in the United States but also overseas in Spain, where they were voted the Best New Blues Artist of 2007. That's some global recognition right there! In 2008, they took home the title of "Best Rock Band" and achieved numerous other Detroit achievements.

We're not done yet, my friends. The Muggs released their second album, "On With the Show," on May 9, 2008, which received an impressive 8/10 rating from Classic Rock Magazine. Talk about hitting it out of the park! They then opened for a whole range of rock bands, including Mountain, Ten Years After, Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple/Black Sabbath, Johnny Lang, Candlebox, North Mississippi Allstars, and The Detroit Cobras, to name just a few. These guys were rubbing elbows with rock royalty!

In 2009, Matt Rost decided to step down as the drummer, but The Muggs were determined to keep the rock train rolling. They recruited Todd Glass, who had already made waves in the Detroit music scene, and got back into the studio in late 2010 to record their third album, "Born Ugly." The release hit the shelves on April 29, 2011, and showcased the band's live energy with a recording of a show at Cadieux Cafe in Detroit, MI, released as "Full Tilt: Live At Cadieux Cafe" in April 2013. The Detroit Music Awards hailed them once again in 2013, recognizing them as 'Outstanding Rock Artist/Group' and 'Outstanding Rock/Pop Instrumentalist' for the Fender Rhodes bassist, Tonymuggs. These guys were becoming regular award magnets!

With four tours of Europe under their belt, The Muggs were not slowing down one bit. In 2015, they released their album "Straight Up Boogaloo" and continued to soar to new heights while hitting the road. These guys made life on tour look like a walk in the park!

And now, folks, we've arrived in 2020. The Muggs dropped their fifth studio album, "Slave to the Sound, Vol.5," and let me tell you, it's a rocking album! The band continues to see growth and show no signs of stopping their rock and roll escapades. So folks don’t stop rocking because The Muggs are blazing their way through the scene, and they maybe headed your way next. we can't wait to see what's next for this powerhouse of Detroit talent.