Mucky Pup

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Mucky Pup is an American crossover thrash and hardcore punk band from Bergenfield, New Jersey. Formed in 1986 by brothers Chris and John Milnes along with Dan Nastasi and Scott Dottino, they started as a cover band called Predator before becoming Mucky Pup and making original music. They gained early attention after finishing second in a Bloom County contest, which led to a Bloom County flexi-disc release in 1987.

History
- They signed with Torrid Records (with Roadrunner handling Europe) and released Can't You Take a Joke? (1988) and A Boy in a Man's World (1989). The video for “U-Stink-But-I-♥-U” got some MTV airplay, and the band began touring Europe where they found greater success.
- After A Boy in a Man’s World, bassist changes followed: Scott LePage left, Dave Neabore joined, and the band released Now (1990). This album featured new bassist Marc DeBacker and guest appearances by Evan Seinfeld and Billy Graziadei. There were more lineup shifts, and Nastasi briefly left before returning.
- In 1991 they signed with Century Media and put out Act of Faith (1992) and Lemonade (1993). The lineup continued to shift, with DeBacker returning and Kevin Powers joining on keyboards. After Lemonade, Mucky Pup left Century Media.
- They started their own label, Mucky Records, and released Alive & Well (1993) in Europe through SPV Music, featuring live tracks and covers. The final years of the 1990s saw Five Guys in a Really Hot Garage (1995) with a new lineup, including Jack “Hinge” Pitzer and Bill Bergmann.
- After breaking up in 1996, the Milnes brothers formed Bully in 1998. Members from Mucky Pup and related bands also pursued other projects, including All Boro Kings. In 2009 the band reformed with a rotating lineup and played shows in the U.S. and Europe, including a 2009 Teaneck, New Jersey release show for Live At Mexicali 2009, Graspop in 2010, and appearances at various festivals. The group continued sporadic performances through 2014 before winding down.

Discography highlights
- Studio albums: Can’t You Take a Joke? (1988), A Boy in a Man’s World (1989), Now (1990), Act of Faith (1992), Lemonade (1993), Five Guys in a Really Hot Garage (1995)
- Singles: “U-Stink-But-I-♥-U” (1987); “Short Attention Span” (1996)
- Live: Alive & Well (1993, Europe release), Live At Mexicali 2009 (CD & DVD)
- Demos: Live and Mucky (1987), Greatest Hits (1987)

Band members
- Original lineup: Chris Milnes (vocals), John Milnes (drums), Dan Nastasi (guitar), Scott Dottino (bass)
- Later members included Dave Neabore (bass), Sean Kilkenny (guitar), Marc DeBacker (bass), Junior LaPlante (bass), Eric VanSteenbergh (guitar), Joe Mama (bass), Splatter (live guitar), Terry Torino (live guitar), Glenn Cummings (live guitar), Bill Bergmann (bass), Kevin Powers (keyboard and later drums), Jack “Hinge” Pitzer (guitar), Matt DeSomma (drums)
- Final lineup: Chris Milnes (vocals), John Milnes (drums), Jack “Hinge” Pitzer (guitar), Bill Bergmann (bass), Kevin Powers (keyboard/drums)

Mucky Pup is remembered for its energetic blend of hardcore, thrash, and punk, its European breakthrough, and a long-running, rotating lineup that kept the band alive for decades.