Canadian Celtic rockers Mudmen, known far and wide as a wildly entertaining musical act, are returning to Peterborough’s Market Hall on Saturday, January 14th at 8 p.m.
The band is known for its high-energy songs and two — count ’em — bagpipes.
The Campbell brothers, Robby and his older brother Sandy, are the founding members of the band and they are the pipers as well.
Not many folks can say they learned bagpipes in their teenage years, but both brothers did.
“My brother was supposed to learn the fiddle but the fiddle teacher died,” Robby tells me. “The barber in town was offering free bagpipe lessons if you joined the pipe band. Sandy and I were both 13 when we started.”
Robby says bagpipes are a special instrument.
“They’ve been used in wars and at funerals to honour fallen police officers, fire fighters, war veterans, etc. And legendary recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, and AC/DC have all used them. That’s pretty special, too.”
Robby points out that when they’re properly played the pipes are a fascinating instrument, and suggests that they’re sometimes portrayed negatively because of their loud nature.
The bagpipes have carried the brothers and their band a long way. The Campbells, from Alvinston (near Petrolia), have been making records and touring since the early 1990s. They changed their name from The Campbell Brothers to Mudmen in 1998 and haven’t looked back.
Robby explains the source of their longevity:
“Tenacity. Scottish Canadians don’t give up easy. We feel our best work is yet to come and, after touring for nearly 20 years, we still love entertaining.”
With nine studio records under their belt — including their latest, Old Plaid Shirt, released this past fall — and more than 2,500 shows to date, Mudmen have cemented themselves as a talented and hardworking staple of the Celtic rock scene.
The other members of the band are Mike Meacher (lead singer, guitar, banjo), Dan Westenenk (bass guitar, back-up vocals), and Jeremy Burton (drums, percussion). They’re all Ontario boys, with the exception of Dan who hails from Antigonish in Nova Scotia.
A Mudmen show is a rollicking affair with something for people of all ages. Robby describes their live performances as “fun, family friendly and entertaining.”
“We’re an approachable band and it’s an affordable evening out,” he adds.
VIDEO: Mudmen Promo
The band’s career highlights include meeting and performing for Queen Elizabeth II on Canada Day at Parliament Hill in Ottawa several years ago, playing on the new CBC Hockey Night in Canada theme song, and performing at the 1984 Edmonton Oilers reunion with Wayne Gretzky and the whole team present.
Their music has also has been featured on television shows and specials, video games, several of Don Cherry’s ‘Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em” videos. They’ve opened for The Guess Who and ZZ Top, and in the past performed with Johnny Reid at the Canadian Country Music Awards.
Next year is the band’s 20th anniversary and Robby mentions the band will likely release another album and perhaps a “life and times” book to celebrate the occasion.
Robby encourages fans coming to see them on January 14th at The Market Hall to wear plaid in honour of Mudmen’s new album Old Plaid Shirt.
“We’d love it if the crowd shows support in plaid,” he says. “Everyone owns a plaid shirt.”
Mudmen have performed in Peterborough before (their last show was at the Market Hall last January) and Robby says their first impression of the city was very positive.
“Fleming College was Mudmen’s first show in Peterborough, opening for Bif Naked,” Robby recalls. “We were standing in the hallway outside of the dressing room waiting for show time and the crowd started chanting, ‘MUDMEN, MUDMEN, MUDMEN!’ You can’t buy that feeling.”
Advance tickets for Mudmen are $20 (including fees) for general admission seats ($23 at the door) or $25 (including fees) for assigned cabaret-style table seating ($28 at the door).
Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org. Tickets for tables 9 and 12 are available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
VIDEO: Mudmen at opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics 2016
Four questions for Robby Campbell
Favourite food? “Pizza is a Mudmen favourite and of course haggis!”
First record you owned? “AC/DC’s High Voltage.”
Favourite sports team? “Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have all played or hired Mudmen, so we support the teams that support us.”
How do you take your coffee? “Extra large with double cream.”
