Review / 200 Words Or Less
Mug
Self Titled

Independent (2011) Cheryl

Mug – Self Titled cover artwork
Mug – Self Titled — Independent, 2011

Müg are a pretty new band on the punk scene of London, yet they're already making waves and booking shows left, right and centre. Formed between friends and colleagues and featuring a drummer who had never before drummed, Müg are firmly stamping their mark on the punk rock world. This coming year sees them playing Amplitude Festival, supporting The Flatliners, and hopefully recording more vocals in someone's (their vocalists) kitchen.

"Deadbeat" starts things as off as they're meant to be carried on. Catchy riffs to get your head nodding, drum beats to tap your toes to and vocals you can easily sing along with. It's certainly an excellent start and introduction to the band. All that's missing is a chorus of "woahs." You can always add your own I suppose !

The pace doesn't let up and "Can't Keep Control" hits next. It's fast, super fun and is guaranteed to be a floor filler. Whether in the comfort of your own home (just me ?), or maybe at one their shows. Which I can only imagine are as relentless as this EP. Eight minutes long (and if you download from bandcamp you're treated to an extra track), it's full of tunes in which to soundtrack your summer. "Amnesia" rounds off the EP in the style you've become accustomed to over the course of the three tracks. The boundless enthusiasm for the music they're making is clear as day, these guys love what they're doing and it definitely comes through here.

The bonus track is a live cover version of the song We're In ! by Youth Brigade and other influences on the band include Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, The Misfits, and Against Me! Though Müg are by no means ripping anybody off here. They've taken all the things you like about those bands and rolled them into a neat little bundle of boisterous energy. Every track catches the attention, it's really quite hard to stay still whilst listening to these guys. And if you're a fan of the aforementioned bands, Müg are for you.

6.5 / 10Cheryl • May 16, 2011

Mug – Self Titled cover artwork
Mug – Self Titled — Independent, 2011

Related features

Joseph Ross Camuglia

One Question Interviews • May 8, 2014

Related news

Introducing Smug LLC (Single Mothers)

Posted in Records on August 23, 2025

Smug Bros coming at ya

Posted in Records on May 15, 2025

Catch the new Mugger

Posted in Records on August 10, 2024

Recently-posted album reviews

Spillings

Spillings
The Garotte (2026)

Spillings is a minimalist reconfiguration undertaken by two artists whose careers have been about genre deconstruction. The paths of Mathieu Ball and Liam Andrews have been running on parallel tracks, but both have been aiming for a similar endpoint. That is to strip down the heavy, experimental rock form, while at the same time retaining its destabilizing core. With Big … Read more

Pacifist

Five
Independent (2026)

There’s a reason five doesn’t feel like just another EP title. This isn’t a casual release or a stopgap between bigger moves but a line in the sand. On their latest five song statement, Bombay’s Pacifist sound fully aware of the lineage they’re working within, and just as aware of how much effort it takes to keep those ideals alive … Read more

Pure Intention

Pure Intention
Independent (2026)

Pure Intentions is a hard hitting punk band first emerging in the Chicago scene in 2020. Since its formation by Joe Asshole and Tommy Volume, they have since added Judson Jones in 2024 to become its current standing trio. During that time, these guys have spread their gritty sound by touring the United States while gaining a strong following along … Read more