Mule
If I had known that so many choice blogs would be going belly-up in double time I wouldn’t have started this whole blog obituary thing. So instead, to honor the recently retired Dressed For The H Bomb I’m going to throw out some Mule. You don’t find a lot of PW Long fans out there, so I was much obliged when Malfeitor sent me some rips of Long’s pre-Mule band Wig. Thanks, man. On with the show
So I originally posted about Mule way back in July 2004. Back then I had only a small amount of disk space and transfer, so I was limited to one song per band. Now, with more space and transfer than I’ll ever use I’ll give you some more of one my favorite mid-90’s bands. Hailing from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mule rocked a mix of country, blues, and plain ‘ol ass-kickin’ aggro best described as a “hellish backwoods racket”. I can’t remember who originally penned that description, but it was apt. Mule was propelled by singer/guitarist PW Long’s throaty growl and trebly guitar and the powerful backend of ex-Laughing Hyenas Kevin Munro and Jim Kimball. From 1991 through 1995 Mule delivered 2 albums, 2 singles, and 12″. Their 1993 debut LP is damned near perfect, a fine soundtrack for getting liquored up and causing trouble. 1994 saw the band issue the powerfulWrung 12″ and the more subdued If I Don’t Six. Specific material aside, the common theme here is Mule’s ability to lock on a groove and just rock the shit right out of it. Take a listen for yourself:
From their self-titled LP
Mule - Mississippi Breaks.mp3
Mule - What Every White Nigger Knows.mp3
from Wrung
Mule - We Know You’re Drunk.mp3
Mule - The Rope and the Cuckold.mp3
from If I Don’t Six
Mule - Hayride.mp3
Mule - Pent.mp3
from the I’m Hell single
Mule - I’m Hell.mp3
Mule - To Love Somebody.mp3
Notes:
23 Comments so far
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What was the story with band name issues with Apartment 3G (ex-Poison Idea members)?
It recall there may have been some litigation over name rights.
whoa. first time visiting your site and BAM i see mule,
one of my favorite of all time bands. criminally overlooked.
check out youtube for some excellent footage of pw long solo performance at the nyabinghi in youngstown ohio:
http://youtube.com/results?search_type=related&search_query=pw%20long%20mule%20touch%20and%20go%20rock
The Shellac split is the only thing I haven’t heard by Mule. I think the “ability to lock on a groove and just rock the shit right out of it” sums them up perfectly. I lived on Wrung alone the year it came out- the breakdown after PW’s “you ain’t takin’ me alive” I always find punishing when it’s cranked up way too loud.
I guess nobody understands my obsession with cheesy metal - why should I understand this ……
Oh, I understand. King Diamond’s Them is one of the only records I’ve ever owned in all three formats. I guess some might not consider him cheesy- I would disagree.
E… I too second the metal obsession, just not Demon Flight (those vocals just killed it). Keep posting the metal, there’s a void that needs to be filled.
RE: pre-Mule band Wig
ahha what a mystery, i remember early-early-early WIG and may still have the demo tape somewhere. one song that stood out was about a bullet in the brain before RATM had a sound-a-like album track. went to go see them and got there after their set when their first album came out. bought it but wasn’t happy since it didn’t sound the same as the original then stopped following the band. anybody else who wants to hear a rip should speak up, like me. seriously doubt i’ll ever find the demo because most of my old tape trade music wound up destroyed!! anyway good going with MULE now i really need to hear the old rips if someone would post them please.
yeah Mule!!
Saw them once right after Mississippi came out…
Please post up the split w/ Shellac
great post
Air guitars ready, malfeitor and eric?
I loved Mule and thankfully got to see them a few times before they broke up. My favorite song of theirs is “Ass” from the Wrung EP. “X and 29″ on the second album was equally brilliant. Try as I might, I just could not get into the PW Long solo stuff. I wish Mule would have reformed for the Touch and Go Fest. I’d have preferred that over about a dozen of the other bands who played it.
I’m ready, but is this guy?
http://www.airguitarworldchampionships.com/EN/gallery/agwc-videos/michael-the-destroyer-heffels-the-netherlands.html
And “Ass” does totally rock.
This guy seems to be ready too!
So tune in and drop out: http://goodbadmusic.blogspot.com/2006/10/bloodstar-st-lp-desert-engine.html
MULE is one of my fave bands of all time. Awesome, awesome, awesome.
I’ve been a fan of Mule since buying their 1st LP on a whim in high school.
And for a bit of trivia, the photo of the band was taken on the steps of a house at 2nd and Prentiss in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. The bottom would later become Zoot’s Coffee and host shows a multitude of great shows. Standouts included Blonde Redhead and Godspeed You Black Emperor.
Hey,
Does anybody know how to get in touch with Kevin Munro, or anyone form Mule that may have videos of old shows? I never got to see any of them unfortunately. Please email:
rtdelamere[AT]
yahoo.com
Rob, Ugly American zine
Mule has never been in a law suit.
Thanks for giving some recognition to one of the greatest rock bands ever. Why doesn’t everyone love Mule?
I saw you guys at a small venue in Pittsburgh years ago. Bought everything you guys put out after that. Easily one of the best bands I have ever heard live, and well, on cd.
Hey Kevin, I used to work with you at Tonka moving in Philly a few years back…guess who….
I remember seeing Mule at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, N.C. back in the day (’98 ?) - so blown away & they always left you wanting more. More! Amazing music to drive way too fast to.
MULE! Yes.
I love them.
Please post the Shellac split, and with the Shellac songs?
Which ones?
And email me shinybeast78@hotmail.com
if you have ANY live PW LONG stuff and Mule of course.
ummmm……
Mule - What Every White Nigger Knows?
apt 3g will kill uuuuuuuuu