Mustard Plug singer David Kirchgessner hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are currently working on a new album and will play five August shows in Ontario and Quebec.
Current fixations:
Right now I'm totally in summer mode which means locally grown fruits & vegetables (ya gotta get them when they're in season: none of this hydroponics, genetically modified, flown in bullshit) Yeah, that and flyfishing, barbecuing, and dub reggae. (I hate to think of how many punk points this answer is costing me.)
Mind-altering work of art:
Right after Andy Warhol died there was a big retrospective of his work that came to Chicago. His work totally blurred all the lines between art and commerce and seemed to regurgitate all the worst aspects of American culture, and present them in a new way. You could debate whether his work celebrated or skewered pop culture but either way I think it would changed me perception of it.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Years ago there was a huge ska festival at he Michigan State fair with us, Bim Skala Bim, the Parka Kings, Suicide Machines and just about every ska band in Michigan that mattered. Midway through our set someone rushed up to tell us we had to stop immediately. Apparently some guys was going to wrestle an alligator and the noise was making the animal extremely agitated. I knew at the point we were doing something right.
What has been your career high and low?
In about 1995, right in between the release of our albums "Big Daddy Multitude" and "Evildoers Beware" there was a point when we couldn't keep a stable line-up to save our lives. I knew our next record was going to be a breakthrough for us but we couldn't find people serious enough to want to do it full time. The high point was probably the "Ska Against Racism Tour". That was an amazingly fun tour. All the bands were really cool, and it was at the time that ska-punk reached its peak in the U.S.
What should everyone shut up about?
"Energy Drinks", Teen Pop sensations, "extreme" anything, any name brand articles of clothing and, oh yeah, that television thing that seems to fascinate so many people.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for?
Child stars gone bad. It breaks my heart to think about 'em. As soon as Gary Coleman calls I'm there!
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I think I have good priorities and have a relatively easy time not wrapping myself up in a lot of traps people find themselves in. I dislike the amount of time I spend worrying about things that I really can't do anything about.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Sweatpants. I hate them. Turns me off quicker than a bag of ice down the pants on cold February morning. Luckily, no, I've never been confronted with a sweatpants wearing vixen in my bed.
When I think of Canada I think?
Stompin' Tom, poutine, Tim Hortons, Bob & Doug McKenzie, and wilderness.
What is your vital daily ritual?
When I'm on the road I always try to find some time, everyday, to walk around outside. It gives me a little time to myself, a little extra exercise and keeps me somewhat connected to the real world.
How do you spoil yourself?
Good food, good booze and good friends are the three things you should never deny yourself.
What was your most memorable day job?
Beside Mustard Plug of course, I once worked at one of those outdoor push cart hotdog stands. That was really cool, and a great lesson in human behaviour.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
I basically ask myself that question everyday. I don't know... maybe working for a record label, landscape architect, show promoter, electrician, organic farmer, hermit, mob boss... hard to say.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is a wasted life. I tried to live my life with as few regrets as possible. So far being in a ska punk band seems a lot more rewarding than being an accountant, but ask me again when I'm 57 and working at McDonalds.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I think Aquaman's powers were pretty cool. You could lie on the bottom of swimming pools and freak out you friends. That and all the free sushi you can eat!
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Dead Can Dance is some pretty sexy music. Everything But the Girl can do the trick. Miles Davis ain't bad either.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes, there is a difference. In my experience, sex at it's worst is still pretty good, at least for a moment or two. Music at it worst is probably the Backstreet Boys or Limp Bizkit.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
We once played a college party where Dr. Timothy Leary showed up. Despite, or maybe because of, decades of extensive hallucinogen use, he really liked us.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Martha Stewart: Bologna sandwiches & Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer in the can.
What does your Mom wish you were doing instead?
Believe it or not my Mom is pretty happy with what I'm doing. She's actually really proud of me. I'm sure she wishes that we would sell more albums though. So go make my Mom happy and buy our newest CD.
Current fixations:
Right now I'm totally in summer mode which means locally grown fruits & vegetables (ya gotta get them when they're in season: none of this hydroponics, genetically modified, flown in bullshit) Yeah, that and flyfishing, barbecuing, and dub reggae. (I hate to think of how many punk points this answer is costing me.)
Mind-altering work of art:
Right after Andy Warhol died there was a big retrospective of his work that came to Chicago. His work totally blurred all the lines between art and commerce and seemed to regurgitate all the worst aspects of American culture, and present them in a new way. You could debate whether his work celebrated or skewered pop culture but either way I think it would changed me perception of it.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Years ago there was a huge ska festival at he Michigan State fair with us, Bim Skala Bim, the Parka Kings, Suicide Machines and just about every ska band in Michigan that mattered. Midway through our set someone rushed up to tell us we had to stop immediately. Apparently some guys was going to wrestle an alligator and the noise was making the animal extremely agitated. I knew at the point we were doing something right.
What has been your career high and low?
In about 1995, right in between the release of our albums "Big Daddy Multitude" and "Evildoers Beware" there was a point when we couldn't keep a stable line-up to save our lives. I knew our next record was going to be a breakthrough for us but we couldn't find people serious enough to want to do it full time. The high point was probably the "Ska Against Racism Tour". That was an amazingly fun tour. All the bands were really cool, and it was at the time that ska-punk reached its peak in the U.S.
What should everyone shut up about?
"Energy Drinks", Teen Pop sensations, "extreme" anything, any name brand articles of clothing and, oh yeah, that television thing that seems to fascinate so many people.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for?
Child stars gone bad. It breaks my heart to think about 'em. As soon as Gary Coleman calls I'm there!
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I think I have good priorities and have a relatively easy time not wrapping myself up in a lot of traps people find themselves in. I dislike the amount of time I spend worrying about things that I really can't do anything about.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Sweatpants. I hate them. Turns me off quicker than a bag of ice down the pants on cold February morning. Luckily, no, I've never been confronted with a sweatpants wearing vixen in my bed.
When I think of Canada I think?
Stompin' Tom, poutine, Tim Hortons, Bob & Doug McKenzie, and wilderness.
What is your vital daily ritual?
When I'm on the road I always try to find some time, everyday, to walk around outside. It gives me a little time to myself, a little extra exercise and keeps me somewhat connected to the real world.
How do you spoil yourself?
Good food, good booze and good friends are the three things you should never deny yourself.
What was your most memorable day job?
Beside Mustard Plug of course, I once worked at one of those outdoor push cart hotdog stands. That was really cool, and a great lesson in human behaviour.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
I basically ask myself that question everyday. I don't know... maybe working for a record label, landscape architect, show promoter, electrician, organic farmer, hermit, mob boss... hard to say.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is a wasted life. I tried to live my life with as few regrets as possible. So far being in a ska punk band seems a lot more rewarding than being an accountant, but ask me again when I'm 57 and working at McDonalds.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I think Aquaman's powers were pretty cool. You could lie on the bottom of swimming pools and freak out you friends. That and all the free sushi you can eat!
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Dead Can Dance is some pretty sexy music. Everything But the Girl can do the trick. Miles Davis ain't bad either.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes, there is a difference. In my experience, sex at it's worst is still pretty good, at least for a moment or two. Music at it worst is probably the Backstreet Boys or Limp Bizkit.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
We once played a college party where Dr. Timothy Leary showed up. Despite, or maybe because of, decades of extensive hallucinogen use, he really liked us.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Martha Stewart: Bologna sandwiches & Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer in the can.
What does your Mom wish you were doing instead?
Believe it or not my Mom is pretty happy with what I'm doing. She's actually really proud of me. I'm sure she wishes that we would sell more albums though. So go make my Mom happy and buy our newest CD.
