Here's mud in yer eye, buddy...

I saw these guys at the Fergus Scottish Festival.  Spent the evening drinking and laughing at the fuckin horrible looking clan colours on some of these poor bastards.  You'd think whoever designed them had just drank a shitload of whatever sludge they served back in 1642, puked on a piece of cloth and presented it to their blind leader for approval.  At least my family had a good eye open when they invented our family tartan.  Still, nobody wants to actually WEAR the fuckin thing.  I did.  Once.  When I got married.  Commando all the way.

Anyway, I'm trying to tell you about the Mudmen.  I don't know where the hell they got the name but it suits them.  Raw and dirty, kick ass rock n roll with a bit of a twist.  Bagpipes.  Yes.  Bagpipes.  Not just one set either.  Two fuckin sets in tandem.  Blastin yer eardrums out.  The only time I ever heard the pipes in a heavy band was when AC/DC did "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n Roll)".  Those weren't actually pipes though... it was a guitar hooked up to a harmonizer pedal but sounded like the pipes nonetheless.  Now normally, I don't mind the sound of the pipes, and they even get ya going once in a while, but for the most part I think the majority of people find them to be a pretty annoying fuckin instrument unless they're played at a funeral or parade or something.    

But when you throw them in to a heavy guitar situation, they're great for filling in a tune.  Let me back up a bit.  I'm sitting in this tent getting all fucked up and I hear this band is going to be playing called the Mudmen, but I never heard them before.  I'm thinking it'll just be the usual traditional Scottish background sing along if ya know 'em type of songs but then the explosion happens.  

Holy fuckin heaviness erupts from the wee stage over yonder and I, being a headbanger from way back, am instantly drawn towards the pit that has already formed.  I happened to have my cameras with me so I grabbed 'em and dove in.  Got up to the front and did what I love doing most.  Shooting rock n roll.  I was really impressed with their tunes and considering their drummer couldn't make it that night, sorry dude, they were pretty tight even with a fill in guy on skins. 

Say hi and buy them a beer.  But don't fuck with those bagpipe playin' dudes.  The two pipers, Rob and Sandy Campbell used to compete in Scottish Festivals strongman competitions.  I guarantee they could shove a kaber up yer ass and call you a popsicle in about three point six seconds flat.  Lonny Knapp is the way too cool looking guitarist and Zoy Nicoles, the lead singer that all the ladies flock to.  Fleshing out the rest of the band is Tommy Skilton on bass and Ryan McCaffrey, the drummer.