For 35 years, Grand Rapids’ Mustard Plug has created ska with a global following, and plays Bell’s in Kalamazoo Friday. Today, Local Spins revisits frontman David Kirchgessner’s albums that changed his world.
Fiery Ska: David Kirchgessner and Mustard Plug have been delivering that for 35 years. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians and songwriters can trace their inspiration to a few key recordings that captivated them and helped shape their musical careers. Today, Local Spins writer Ross Boissoneau spotlights Mustard Plug’s David Kirchgessner about his favorites, plus listen to tracks from Mustard Plug’s latest release.
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When it comes to fan devotion, it might be hard to find more fervent, skanking fans than those cheering on Grand Rapids’ beloved Mustard Plug.
The ska band has been doing its uplifting, dance-inspiring thing for 35 years now, and continues to record new music and tour the land, with a Friday (March 20) show this week at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo. Tickets, $20.52, available online here, with The Boy Detective and Killer Diller also on the bill for the 8 p.m. show.
Singer David Kirchgessner and his crew have churned out nine albums over the years, plus a 2024 EP, “Hey!,” with the music attracting an international following.
The ska/punk band was formed in 1991 by Kirchgessner and guitarist Colin Clive after they both attended a Special Beat show. The group’s first album was released in 1994, and the band has played venues and festivals across the globe. They follow up Friday’s show with a Saturday stop in Toledo and have more 2026 shows on tap, including a June 27 outdoor show at The Intersection in Grand Rapids.
DAVID KIRCHGESSNER: Three Albums That Changed My World
1. The Specials, “The Specials” (1979) – If there was one record that cemented my love of ska, this is it. The Specials came from the working class town of Coventry in the United Kingdom and were one of the very first to combine the original ska of Jamaica with the contemporary sounds of late ’70s British punk. Their music was street-level politics and personal and informed by their immediate surroundings. They addressed the rising tide of English racism head on and gave us a snapshot of their lives. The Specials distilled the energy of ska with the immediacy of punk and have influenced every ska band since.
Listen here: “A Message to You Rudy”
2. Laughing Hyenas, “You Can’t Pray a Lie” (1989) – I recently watched the documentary “Dope, Hookers and Pavement: The Real and Imagined History of Detroit Hardcore,” and as result I have been thinking a lot about that era. The Laughing Hyenas were created by two veterans of the early ’80s Detroit hardcore punk scene, John Brannon of Negative Approach and Larissa Strickland of L-Seven. They created a sound that mixed the original sounds of Detroit punk (a la the Stooges) with the blues and became one of the best bands of the grunge era, yet one that few have ever heard of. I was lucky enough to see a bunch of their shows, which were amazing. John is one of my favorite front men of all time. No one can express raw rage and anguish like Mr. Brannon. “You Can’t Pray a Lie” is probably their best album. The band members were at the height of their musicianship and it was the last album before they lost their classic rhythm section. Rumor has it Nirvana was so impressed that the band hired the Hyenas’ producer, Butch Vig, to record Nevermind.
Listen here: “Love’s My Only Crime”
3. Naked Raygun, “Throb Throb” – “Throb Throb” was the first punk/alternative album I ever bought and I really couldn’t have made a better choice. Chicago’s Naked Raygun emerged from the Midwest hardcore scene but added more melody and experimentation than many of their contemporaries. Their later albums became a little more straightforward melodic punk, but this, their first full-length, seemed to have a lot more going on and has remained a personal and fan favorite.
Listen here: “Rat Patrol”
Also Loving: “American Head” by The Flaming Lips – The Flaming Lips are the band I’ve been following for the longest time and they consistently put out great new music. I was lucky enough to catch them on tour back in 1988 and have since seen them at giant outdoor festivals, dive bars, basements and everything in between. They are always amazing. Their live shows are full sensory experiences not to be missed. I’m always a little disappointed when a band just goes on stage, plays its songs and leaves. I have great appreciation for bands that interact and entertain their audience and the Flaming Lips go above and beyond. For their studio projects, they are constantly experimenting and pushing boundaries. Songs in their catalog could be commonly described as pop gems or psychedelic freak-outs. Mellow, melodic and as usual a little bit trippy, it’s a great record.
Listen here: “Flowers of Neptune 6”
VIDEO: The Flaming Lips, “Assassins of Youth” (Live)
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: David Kirchgessner’s Playlist on Spotify
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