Mucus Biography: 1989 to Present Day

Mucus

Chris 'Squirrel' Jones Drums	Dan 'Fubnuts' Alexander Guitar	Declan 'Paddy' Parry Bass Guitar	Duncan 'Ubiquitous Guitar Mercenary' Black Guitar

The story goes that Mucus started as a prank between guitarist Duncan Black & drummer Chris Jones in 1991. In truth, Mucus dates back to the eighties  when guitarist Dan Alexander & Duncan Black met at school. Together with Chris Jones they formed a few short-lived bands covering songs by Metallica, Black Sabbath, Anthrax & the Misfits.

Eventually original material was written and the trio formed a thrash band called ‘Dirge’ (Dan Alexander came and went in several line-ups). At one point bassist Declan Parry was a member (He now plays in the reformed band).

Singers and bassists came & went. Dirge became the ill-conceived Fatal and a couple of gigs were organised in Bangor. Up until now things hadn’t gone too well. The local press had been particularly scathing about Fatal and fanzines slated them. The local paper refused to print reviews such was the animosity towards the band. Fatal called it a day. Consequently, Black and Jones resolved to save their dignity and formed Mucus.

At the time Mucus consisted of Alexander, Black, Jones and Fatal vocalist Chris Moore. In view of the heavier direction, the band amicably parted ways with Moore early on, although this line-up recorded three live tracks at Bangor Student’s Union for the infamous Tapeworm in the Banana compilation.

And so the ‘classic’ line-up forged ahead - No singer. No bass player. The three surviving members resolved to cut the bullshit and go it alone. Duncan handled vocals on a couple of songs, but this was largely instrumental music – it was about brutal guitar riffs, high-speed drumming and huge guitar solos. Thick distortion and down-tuning compensated for the lack of bass. Inventive writing made vocals obsolete.

The band soon found an appreciative audience in the Bangor and Anglesey area and the music began to expand on the generic thrash format. An arsenal of effects pedals were incorporated into the sound, which gave the music a polished edge. The Asian harmonies and progressive rock leanings of set opener 'The Spirit' lent itself to a new fusion of space-rock and thrash metal. The song featured on the locally released compilation tape No Compromise!

In 1993, after a fairly long stint playing on the pub circuit, a tape was recorded featuring the songs Spirit, Airlock, Oddly Enough..., Solitude & Frustration. The studio recording was distributed amongst local musicians and friends and was generally well-received by followers of the band. The tape was eventually placed in the hands of Peter Hook from New Order who issued a favourable response and worked with a promising record label at the time. Rumours were circulated that things were taking off, but unfortunately it was not to be. By this time, Dan and Duncan left Anglesey to become degree students in Birmingham and Cheshire.

However the band was not over yet. In the summer of 1994, the band made an enthusiastic return under the guise of F.B.F. This project was a union between Mucus and two new musicians – irrepressible maniac/bassist Dean (now working under the name Mr X as a DJ) and local vocalist/guitarist ‘Dave P’ (whereabouts unknown). Another recording was issued featuring a loud and obnoxious cover version of Motorhead’s Ace of Spades. Gigs were well attended.

Sadly by this point, Duncan and Dan’s college studies had taken their toll on the band. It was not easy keeping things together with everyone in different parts of the country. By 1995 Chris Jones parted ways with Mucus. Dean was the next to go.

The remaining trio of Alexander, Black and Dave P made one last recording - ‘3D’, released in the summer of 1995, using electronic drums to compensate for the absence of Chris Jones. Although it was nicely produced, the band members had other considerations and once again, Dan and Duncan’s college studies interrupted things. Following this venture, Mucus finally fizzled out.

So why go back and do it all again? The band never got out of Bangor right?

Well, that’s not quite true. The members of Mucus did indeed go onto bigger things. Following the end of the band in 1995, the individual members have been hired as session players, signed record contracts and performed on radio & TV. They have toured in the UK and overseas. If you have lived in the Bangor and Anglesey area, chances are you’ve seen at least one of them play live and enjoyed it.

Additionally, Mucus were part of a burgeoning music scene that existed in Bangor in the early nineties. Ask around and you will find a lot of people who fondly remember going to the Normandie and jumping around like an idiot to bands such as Grot, Skinflick, Vaffan Coulu or Mucus (amongst many others). That ‘scene’ has not been forgotten, despite the best efforts of indifferent journalists.

The music is still fast, heavy and weird. It’s a lot of fun. After 15 years Mucus have resolved to go back to their roots and play for the hell of it.

In 1991 Mucus didn’t have digital recording or the internet. In fact they didn’t even have a bass player on their side. There are a lot of reasons to feel good about this reunion. They could even make it out of Bangor.

Watch this space.