This is a tee shirt I helped the Mugs put together for a recent reunion show. For those of you who are ignorant to the Mugs, they are New York Hard Core's best kept secret. Based out of Maspeth Queens, they have played since 2000 with a rotating line-up to mixed reviews. In 2002 they recruited New York Hard Core legend Jay Rogan(Eyes of Hate, No Self Pride, and currently Caught In A Trap)on drums to solidify their line-up.
After recording the classic "Sex, Mugs and Rock n' Roll" in 2003 with some guy named Don Furry, they played a few memorable gigs around the Lower East Side, including an epic St. Patricks day show with Murphy's Law. Mugs shows often ended abruptly, sometimes in violence, sometimes due to legal infractions. One thing is for sure the Mugs have always been impulsive and exciting. You never know what will happen. Well you kinda have an idea something is gonna result in them getting shut down or kicked out, but how will it happen?
The show was held at an anonymous Spanish cuisine restaurant near the Financial district in NYC. There was a great alley next to the place where I found Sammy(bass) and a few stray Budweisers. As you can tell Sammy already had his share. Inside the restaurant I found Metal Thrashing Matt(Guitar) and Legendary clothing designer/ hardcore impresario Rat Bones hawking their ware's.
Rat Bones did good at that show. He sold some shirts to yuppies who thought they went out for a night of fine dinning. Little did they know what they were getting into. Phil Mugs(Vocals) even got in on the fun.
Olde York open up the show, and from the first notes it was clear that the management did not realize what they had in store for themselves. The owner came out with some sort of Noiseometer, to measure the disciple level of the speakers. Look closely it is in the left hand of the Lou Pinella looking motherfucker.
Well this guy busted Olde York's balls through out the entire set, and it was clear that the Mugs should get on and try to play as many songd as possible before the club owner shuts it down.
The place went off immediately. It was an all ages show, filled with people who were too young for the Mugs the first time around.
Such Mugs hits included "Sack Attack", "How Much Do The Lions Cost?" and "I Get What I Want". Someone ripped open a bag of flour after Phil made a crack about coke. The energy was great, but it put the management on their toes. They responded by taking the microphones away. No worries, the crowd helped Reverend Phil spread the word.
After a couple of songs without a mic the set was over, so was the show. There was a big rush to the door to get a refund, which I think some people were granted. There was alot of under aged kids left outside the club and in the alley, drinking, loitering, pissing off(and on) the restaurant. There was a rumor cops on horses and riot gear showed up, but I was long gone by then. All in all, another Mugs show. The following weekend after that Mugs show I went to Vermont with Chris Balrtus to pick up Caitlin's 1964 Plymouth Valiant. Chris purchased this car from "Dr. Valiant" Andy Whittenbourne of New Jersey. Story goes after he evacuated New Orleans in his 1965 Valiant, he picked this one up out of Hemmings Motor News, and he's still getting his $500 out of it.
I love this car. Lot's of good memories associated with it. My senior year of college we drove it to New Orleans. Visited a few times after that. Cruising the Crescent City streets at night was always a treat in that '64. It has a 225 cu in. slant six engine. Not as economical as the 170, but it has good pep by comparison.
This is a 1962 Dodge Polara that is located near Chris' parent's house. Wonder whats under the hood. Maybe a Max Wedge, maybe.
This is Chris' other 1964 Valiant. It's a two door with a shitty flame job. We built a fire and picked the thing apart. We took apart the interior, lifted the dog dishes, snatched the carb, anything that was worth money or would deteriorate while the car is waiting to get refurbished.
Back in Sea Cliff we see here is a 1922 Dodge Brothers Series I Touring car. Brand new it cost $985, it had 5 seats and a 114 in. wheelbase. It has a 4 cylinder engine and is quiet as a Nun on Sunday. This particular car is owned by Glen Head resident Tom Malloy, who is a sculpture artist and lawn mower mechanic.
Contrary to popular belief the Dodge brothers were not Jewish as one might think due to the star of David being on their hood emblem. The six pointed star stood for Dodge's six points of excellence, what ever those were. I think he said that the car was original, and never restored. Whatever the case maybe, the last time it was inspected was 1963-64. I want this sticker for my car.
Finally one of my favorite nights of the fall was the "Cathy"(you know, that awful comic strip) inspired art show that my buddy Pete threw at the Chief Magazine gallery space in Bushwick. I had just moved out of my apartment in Brooklyn, back to my parents house, so it was nice to get down with some Brooklyn folks for the first time since I had moved. Here are a couple of people who made the art show/party possible...
Pete, he threw the shin dig.
Erica, she got the party pumping, and submitted a cool photograph.
Glen, the wheel man, he owns a versatile van, part utility, part party machine.
Chirs Riggs, I don't know this guy, he was not involved in the show per say, he showed up with a marker and got busy, good work.
This is what I submitted, I would have included pictures of other peoples submissions, but this post is getting crowded.
I've got some good posts planned for December, including a look at the "new" ABC NO RIO! and a long over due tribute to Yankee Stadium.
