Majestic Mudd combines talent, positive message
By Nikki Ackerman
Staff Writer - Hometown Publications
The motto of local band Majestic Mudd best sums up the spirit behind the music: "When life gives you mudd, make it majestic.”
In his 35 years, Menomonee Falls resident Scott Meissner, creator of the project that has an adult alternative sound, has certainly been dealt his share of mud.
His oldest brother, David, lost his life to leukemia at age 32 in 1994, and his other brother, Jeff, 40, died in a kite surfing accident in 2007. With just one remaining sibling, a sister named Jody, Meissner has made it his spiritual mission to keep his brothers’ musical legacies alive through his own work.
While he names Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, the Black Crowes and the Beatles as some of his major musical influences, it is Dave and Jeff who have been Meissner’s true inspirations.
“Sometimes through great tragedy, we then see the strength of true enlightenment,” Meissner said.
Music in his blood...
Playing music since the age of 7 when he sneaked downstairs to bang on his brothers’ drums, Meissner has been drawn to song for as long as he can remember.
“When I was 7, Dave taught me three cords on a guitar and said, ‘Go write a song,’” he shared. “So I did, and it wasn’t too bad!”
Meissner, who describes his brothers as his mentors, explained how he has been influenced by the men’s two vastly different musical styles.
“Jeff was intellectual and had degrees in music whereas Dave was a free spirit who learned by ear and figured things out on his own,” he said.
Meissner said his older brothers were like father figures to him and that he “learned almost everything” from them. “My brothers were and will always be my heroes, my role models, my teachers and a great inspiration,” he said.
He continued, “They were the healthiest people I’ve ever known–mentally, spiritually, physically–and after they died I asked myself, ‘Am I supposed to carry the torch?’”
The sound of Mudd...
Meissner played in several bands over the years, leaving local cover band Old Mil four years ago to record his own music in his home studio, and this past year those efforts came to fruition with the release of Majestic Mudd’s debut CD, “On the Edge of Something?”
With songs like “Joyride,” “The Sun Will Shine Again” and “New Day,” the disc conveys a message of hope and searching, leading the listener on a journey of personal metamorphosis.
On the CD–which has drawn comparisons to the work of Ben Harper, Matchbox 20 and U2–Meissner does the vocals and plays all the instruments. Of this undertaking, he said with modesty, “It’s a lot easier than it used to be,” adding, “People who do it really love it.”
However, when playing gigs, he is joined by an alternating line-up of guest musicians. These include: Steve "Chimmy" Chmielewski, drums and percussion; Eric Madunic, bass guitar and vocals; Chuck Brummond, drums and percussion; and Greg Knaebe, keyboard.
“There are quite a few different versions of the band,” said Meissner, who plays guitar and sings at the live shows. “When you see a gig, it could be just me or me and a percussionist. I’m really working on a three-piece band right now, with me, a percussionist and a bass player.”
The band’s future...
Meissner, who has a day job in software support, said his vision for the band is “to keep moving forward and continuing to grow the momentum we have right now.”
Currently promoting “On the Edge of Something?” and performing locally as well as nationally, Majestic Mudd is a work in progress, he noted.
“I am currently writing songs for the next album and always searching out new ways to make the live show a fun and entertaining experience,” Meissner said.
Ultimately, the multi-faceted musician would like to create music full time and in doing so reach out to others in an uplifting way.
“I want to share my stories, both of pain and joy, with as many people as possible,” said Meissner. “I have received several e-mails from people telling me how much my music has touched them, and that gives me a feeling that I cannot begin to explain.”
To get more Mudd...
The band plays regular gigs at a variety of area clubs and taverns. Some of the main venues are: Bar 360 at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee; John Harbor’s Main Street Coffee House in the Falls; Mikey’s in downtown Milwaukee; Nice Ash in Waukesha; Paulie’s Pub in West Allis; and the Sand Bar in Pewaukee.
To learn more about the band or to see their show schedule, one can visit majesticmudd.com. Other sites where the music can be obtained include: CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com/cd/majesticmudd); ReverbNation (www.reverbnation.com/majesticmudd); Sonic Bids (www.sonicbids.com/ MajesticMudd); Facebook (bg-bg.facebook.com/pages/majestic-mudd/39055786038); and MySpace (www.myspace.com/majesticmudd).
And all of those things are in evidence on his debut disc, "On the Edge of Something?" released under the name Majestic Mudd. Meissner celebrates the arrival of the disc with a gig on Friday, Jan. 9 at Mixing acoustic guitars and melodies in a style reminiscent of his influences like Willy Porter, Ben Harper and Jars of Clay, "On the Edge of Something?" is an adult alternative acoustic gem. To create the 11-track disc -- which Meissner has said is a tribute to his late elder brothers David and Jeff who were his musical mentors -- the singer and songwriter called on a host of friends, including Steve Chmielewski and "Dave and Jeff, were, and still are the greatest guitarists and musicians I have ever had the opportunity to witness," Meissner has said. "I learned to play several instruments and write songs mainly from my two older brothers. They were and will always be my heroes, my role models, my teachers, and my mentors. Both of my brothers have inspired so many and have left a huge footprint on this world in such a short time." Meissner produced and engineered the disc at his own Big Meiss Studio.
Gig roundup: Majestic Mudd launches debut salvo
Scott Meissner is the man behind the Mudd.
By Bobby Tanzilo
Managing Editor - OnMilwaukee.com
Music's Rising Star Magazine - June 2009
By Shelley Hernandez
Staff Writer
Scott Meissner, the brains and soul behind Majestic Mudd, has had music as a major influence since he was very young. “When I was seven, I began playing drums. I learned from watching the drummers in my brothers’ bands while they were jamming in the basement. I began playing guitar at age nine or ten, my oldest brother Dave taught me three chords and told me to go write a song. It actually was a pretty decent song!” Scott credits both his brothers, Dave and Jeff, as his main musical and personal influences. “I learned to play several instruments and write songs mainly from my two older brothers. They were, and will always be, my heroes, my role models, my teachers, and my mentors. Thank you guys!” Because of this influence, Scott plays, “guitar, both acoustic and electric, 12-string bass guitar, drums, percussion, keyboard, drum programming and whatever else I can find laying around! I did take a few months of vocal lessons because I wanted to make sure I didn’t wreck anything in my throat. Other than that, I learned everything else from my two brothers or by ear.”
Scott told us more about his beloved brothers. “My oldest brother, Dave was a spiritual giant of love, life and music. He died of leukemia in 1994 at age 32. Dave was erupting with life. He loved from deep in his soul, and he poured his heart into every inch of his music. He was the free spirit and most of what he knew he learned on his own through research and just figuring it out. Dave taught me how to play guitar, write songs, and record music. During his last year on earth, he taught us all how to live life through love and compassion.”
“Jeff was always living the will of God. My only other brother died of hypothermia in a kite surfing accident in 2007 at age 40. Jeff was the very highly educated and very technical one in the family. He studied life, love, and music, and mastered all three. As far as I’m concerned, Jeff knew everything, he always had an answer on the tip of his tongue to whatever question you were asking, whether it was about God, or the origin of the pentatonic minor scale. He never talked about doing things, he just did them.”
Scott grew up in Sussex, Wisconsin, and now resides a few miles down the road in Menomonee Falls with his family. He has quite an eclectic taste in music. “I love practically every type of music. I was a metal dude and rocker guy when I was young, then I got into a serious rap phase - old school, of course - along with pop in my early teens, then it was classic rock, blues and jazz,” Scott explained. “I have been writing, recording and performing music for a long time and my major goal was to get it to sound as good as what is on the radio. In early 2007, when I began writing songs for the new album “On The Edge Of Something” it was like a switch was flipped and the music reached a new level. It had gotten to where I really enjoyed listening to the songs and I am my very worst critic!
As for Majestic Mudd’s music, “I wrote and recorded everything on the album myself and I play live show either as a solo act or with the following band members – Chuck Brummond on drums and percussion, Eric “Bearcave” Madunic on bass and vocals, Steve “Chimmy” Chmielewski on drums and percussion, and Greg Knaebe on keyboards.” Their music, as Scott put it, “is Adult Alternative in a category with U2, Matchbox20 and Ben Harper. It is a mixture of several genres including rock, roots, blues, pop, jazz, Christian, alternative and soul.” The band got together when, “after I finished the album, I wanted to start playing out live so I could promote it and get back on stage. I called a couple neighbors and some good friends and we put it all together,” Scott said.
“Our live performances are not only exciting musically or uplifting inspirationally, but it is almost like a comedy where the audience is definitely a big part of the show. Also, I’m a really nice guy! I truly want you to get more out of my music than I do, and the music comes genuinely from my heart and soul and meant to be a positive experience.”
The band’s name has quite an interesting meaning. Scott said, “Majestic Mudd is an earthy fusion of water, dirt and life. When life gives you Mudd, make it Majestic! It is a philosophy of making the best out of any bad situation you may face.”
The band plays a number of gigs in the greater Milwaukee, WI area and their music can be found on ITunes, CD Baby, ReverbNation, as well as off the band’s website, majesticmudd.com. They also have pages on Facebook and Myspace. Check them out! You will not be disappointed!
