MU330
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist MU330 is an American ska punk band from St. Louis, Missouri. Formed by students of St. Louis University High School in 1988, MU330 played a self-described brand of music called "psycho ska", high energy ska punk marked by manic performances and humorous, often strange lyricism.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Since 1997, the band's musical direction has changed towards a more melodic and lyric-driven ska/indie rock sound, a combination that has been described as "Weezer meets The Specials".<ref>Template:Cite web
- Template:Cite web</ref> This style was noted in a 2022 review.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Dan Potthast (guitar/vocals), Ted Moll (drums), Chris Diebold (bass guitar), and Robert Bell (trombone) have remained with MU330 since the band's inception, and the trombonist Gerry Lundquist has been a member for over two decades. There have been several different frontmen in the past, but Potthast has always been the band's principal songwriter and lyricist.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Biography
The original members met in St. Louis University High School music class 330, hence the band's name.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They learned to play instruments and practiced in the basement of Moll's grandmothers home. They started to get gigs at schools in St. Louis. Their musical style was later influenced by the Specials, Madness, Bad Manners, Toasters and Special Beat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Potthast has released solo work and has also started a second band, The Stitch Up, with the former Slow Gherkin frontman, James Rickman. He also started a ska/rocksteady group called Dan P and the Bricks with former the MU330 saxophonist, Matt Knobbe.
In 2018, Potthast was part of Jeff Rosenstock's touring band. Moll, the drummer, has a side project band called Bagheera. Most members of MU330 have performed with Mike Park's Bruce Lee Band throughout the band's history. Potthast played live with The Bruce Lee Band, for example in 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> MU330 continues to perform live sporadically across the United States.
Band members
Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2
Press (up to 1994)
- John Kavanaugh - vocals, trumpet
- Dan Potthast - vocals, guitar
- Ted Moll - drums, vocals
- Chris Diebold - bass guitar
- Robert Bell - trombone
- Matt Knobbe - tenor saxophone
Chumps on Parade (1995-1997)
- Jason Nelson - vocals
- Dan Potthast - vocals, guitar
- Ted Moll - drums, vocals
- Chris Diebold - bass guitar
- Rob Bell - trombone
- Traygen Bilsland - saxophone
- Nick Baur - Trumpet
1997 - present
- Dan Potthast - vocals, guitar
- Ted Moll - drums, vocals
- Chris Diebold - bass guitar
- Robert Bell - trombone
- Gerry Lundquist - trombone
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Salamander Stew | Self-released |
| 1994 | Press<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Moon Ska Records / Asian Man Records |
| 1996 | Chumps on Parade | Dill Records / Asian Man Records |
| 1997 | Crab Rangoon | Asian Man Records |
| 1999 | MU330<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Asian Man Records |
| 1999 | Winter Wonderland!<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Asian Man Records |
| 2002 | Ultra Panic<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Asian Man Records |
Live albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Oh Yeah!" Live<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Asian Man Records |
Compilations
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Best of MU330 | California Roll | Japan-only compilation with four unreleased songs |
Singles, demos and non-album tracks
| Year | Title | Label | Formats | Notes/Track(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Salamander Stew | Self-released | Cassette | Demo recorded and mixed at Profound Sound |
| 1996 | "Jason" b/w "Now" 7" | Moon Ska Records | "Jason", "Now" | |
| 1997 | MU330 / Blue Meanies Split 7" | Asian Man Records | "Vacation" (Caffey, Valentine, Wiedlin) | |
| 1998 | Time Bomb EP 7" | H.Y.R. | "Hoosier Love", "LA", "Ireland" Split with Punishment Park. Released only in Norway. | |
| 2000 | Doppel Pack soundtrack | "Better Than Pork" (Potthast) | ||
| 2000 | Metalliska: A Ska Tribute to 80's Metal | Too Hep | "Motorbreath" (Hetfield) | |
| 2007 | Ska Is Dead Compilation CD | Asian Man Records | "Please Don't Run" | |
| 2017 | Don't Worry Don't Stress<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Asian Man Records | Digital | "Don't Worry Don't Stress" |