By 1994, the Mudsharks were gigging 300 nights a year, and put out their first CD "Workin' For Nickels And Dimes", and opening for every major blues headliner coming through town. What really set the band apart in the blues scene was the energy coming off the stage at every show, the "we don't give a fuck if it's too loud" attitude, and the effort they put into writing original songs.
With all the hard work paying off, the band was touring the southwest and California regularly, the European market was taking notice, and they were opening shows for the likes of Buddy Guy, George Clinton And P-Funk, Dick Dale, and Willie Nelson. Even Brian Setzer and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown would drop by to sit in! But the highlight was getting to hang with ZZ Top several times, including a night where Blinn and "idol" Billy Gibbons pulled an allnighter in Dallas, Texas, talking cars, guitars, blues, and playing guitar.
By 1996, the Mississippi Mudsharks were on their way to Europe, where their first CD hit #1 on the CrossCut Records Blues Charts. Following up the tour, they returned home to record their second CD, "Traditional Heavy". This CD also hit #1 on the CrossCut Blues Charts, and by 1997 the band received the honor of receiving their third straight San Diego Music Award for "Best Blues" ('95, '96, '97).
1998 brought more of the same for the Mudsharks, with touring and more recognition in Europe, ranking #2 at the Cologne, Germany's "Talkin' Blues Show".
By 1999, everyone wanted to go in different directions. They put out one more CD, the live "Whatcha Hear Is Whatcha Get", and toured Europe one more time. Blinn also formed a new hard rockin' trio , The Tiki Torchers, with former "Hooters" drummer Dave Uosikkinnen and Tim Butler (Hot Rod Lincoln) on bass. They put out the CD "Hoodoo Charm". Blinn's efforts earned him San Diego Music Award nominations for "Best Blues" with the Mudsharks, "Best Blues CD "with the Tiki Torchers, and "Artist Of The Year" the same year. "Hoodoo Charm" went to #4 on the CrossCut Blues Chart, following Stevie Ray Vaughan & Albert King, Rory Gallager, and Luther Allison.
After a 2001 European tour with The Tiki Torchers, Blinn hooked up with old friend and former harmonica player for Social Distortion, Eric "Jailhouse" Von Herzen, and formed "Mississippi Mud".
This proved to be a great turning point in the musical direction of the band. After three European tours and two CD's, "Mississippi Mud" (2002, nominated "Best Blues Album at the SDMA's), and the EP, "The Hangin' Tree" (2004), Blinn and Von Herzen had planted the seed for a "new sound" they coined "Grease Punk".
After a serious illness sidelined "Jailhouse" in 2005, Blinn regrouped with original Mudshark drummer Tom Essa, and bassist "Big" Mike Lars. The Mississippi Mudsharks were back! 2006 brought a new CD of originals, "Train Rolls On", which hit #3 on the CrossCut Blues Charts, was nominated for "Best Blues Album" by the San Diego Music Awards, and has received great reviews for it's hard edged roots/punk sound. The band immediately went on a festival and club tour in Europe for two months to support the CD, and came home fired up.
2007 had the boys at it again with a Summer European Tour, hitting Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland for festival and club dates. The tour was probably the best yet, hitting hard and groovin' their
European friends and fans at packed shows night after night.
2008 started off on a high note with the return of Eric Von Herzen on harmonica and vocals (fresh off of playing with Social Distortion on the So. Cal. leg of their tour), and Greg "Whiskey Willy" Willis on bass (both of "Missisippi Mud"). A new CD titled "Voodoo Doll" was recorded, and the band hit the roadon an extensive 8 week European tour to promote it. One of the main highlights was opening for one of "Mad Dog's"favotrite bands, "Tito & Tarantula" at the Rockhouse in Salzburg, Austria.
2009 brings the release of "Voodoo Doll", with special guests such as Jonny "Two Bags" Wickersham(Social Distortion), Joey Harris (The Beat Farmers), and Tim Butler (Hot Rod Lincoln). Also, the return of "Big" Mike Lars on bass/vocals!
With a new booking agency on board (Teenage Head Music, Belgium), the Mississippi Mudsharks will be hitting the road from September-October, breaking new ground in Spain and France.
~~The Mississippi Mudshark's Sound~~
Although steeped in Traditional Blues and American Roots music, the Mississippi Mudsharks were never ones for being pidgeon-holed into any one catagory. They've always approached their music with a great sense of originality and cross-over appeal. "Grease Punk" is the term they've coined to describe their blend of Traditional Blues, Country, and Surf, done with a "fuck you" attitude.
Eric "Jailhouse" Von Herzen got his nickname directly from Mike Ness of Social Distortion...for obvious reasons going back to his younger, wilder days. Von Herzen's harmonica swings from dark and melodic, to a full steam rollin' freight train that'll knock you on your ass and keep on going.
The driving force behind the band's sound comes from Tom "Sleepy T" Essa on the drums. Solid and hypnotic, Essa lays down the foundation for eveyone else to build upon. He is the backbone, and a show unto himself.
Layin' down a groove on the bass that's 4 lanes wide is "Big" Mike Lars. Mike is as cool to watch as he is to listen to. And his tone and attack is as big as he is.
Scottie Blinn's aggressive guitar style, gravely vocals, and propensity for putting drunk patrons in their place, earned him the nickname "Mad Dog" by partner Eric "Jailhouse" Von Herzen. He approaches the Blues, and all Roots styles, with that same aggressive attitude that'll sock you in the gut every time.
With their roots firmly planted, these guys blur the lines between American Roots, Rock, and Punk with an original sound all their own. Blinn likes to compare it to his '52 Chevy..."flat black on the outside, but a souped up 350 under the hood and loud-ass lakespipes off the sides." Dark, Greasy, and Raw... The Mississippi Mudsharks.
