Mustard Plug - Masterpieces: 1991-2002 (2005)

Write catchy songs. After ska, after punk, after three different bassists and over a thousand shows, that's still Mustard Plug's three-word mantra. Masterpieces: 1991-2002 is the group's official history and highlight reel, but it also reaffirms what they've always been about. The liner notes include song descriptions written by original members Dave Kirchgessner and Colin Clive. But while they talk about writing in the style of their heroes, or tackling the occasional tough social message, they always admit it's the singalong choruses or relentlessly happy ska rhythms that endure. And in this they cannot be faulted. You can't accuse them of loafing off, either. Mustard Plug were around when everyone but the dedicated hated ska, especially its more raucous ska-punk hybrid. Later, when the third wave movement really took hold, they represented the Midwest. And finally, after No Doubt's platinum ascendancy and the ska scene's return to its underground berth, Mustard Plug washed their yellow jackets and kept on going. Masterpieces includes all the fan favorites – "Beer (Song)", "You", "Mr. Smiley". (The latter still suggests a horn-y version of Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Enough" for some weird reason). "Go" and "Safe" show the influence of California pop punk like NOFX and Pennywise on Mustard Plug, while early Big Daddy Multitude material like "Skank by Numbers" and "Brain on Ska" and the Evildoers Beware gem "Mendoza" are still ska-punk standard-bearers. Will ska ever enjoy a fourth wave? If it does, Mustard Plug will likely be in the thick of it, having some laughs and writing some catchy songs. And hopefully one of them includes another opportunity for Colin Clive to rap about ladies' underthings.

Masterpieces: 1991-2002 includes 19 songs representing all the CDs. It also has 2 lavishly produced videos. The booklet has testimonials from other notorious Ska legends, as well as explanations of each song by the writers, a breakdown of who plays what on each song and a varity of pictures and other info. Recording information: 1991 - 2002. All songs re-mastered by Bill Stevenson at the Blasting Room.

Tracklist:

01. Beer (Song)
02. Not Enough
03. Someday, Right Now
04. Mr. Smiley
05. Lolita
06. Go
07. Just A Minute
08. Throw A Bomb
09. You
10. Brain On Ska
11. In Your Face
12. Everything Girl
13. Box
14. Yesterday
15. Skank By Numbers
16. Safe
17. Mendoza
18. We're Gunna Take On The World
19. Thigh High Nylons
+
20. Multimedia data track - two music videos:
a) Everything Girl (.mov)
b) You (.mov)
plus Macromedia projector, autorun.inf, etc.


• Dave Kirchgessner - lead vocals (on all tracks)
• Colin Clive - guitar, lead vocals (on all tracks)
• Craig DeYoung - bass, alto sax (1,3-6,8-10,12-15,17-19)
• Nick Varano - drums (1,3-6,8-10,12-15,17-19)
• Brandon Jenison - trumpet, vocals (1-3,5-9,11-14,16-18)
• Jim Hofer - trombone (2,3,5,7-9,11-14,16-18)
• Brad Rozier - drums (2,7,11,16)
• Matt Van - bass (2,7,11,16)
• Mark Petz - tenor sax (4,9,10,13,15,17,19)
• Bob Engelsman - trombone (4,10,15,19)
• Anthony Vilchez - bass (4,10,15,19)
• Kevin Dixon - tenor sax (1,6)
• Bleu VanDyke - trombone (1,6)

Release Date: September 6, 2005
Label: Hopeless Records
Catalog No.: HR 680-2