Reviews – Hey

DYING SCENE
by Sarah Mac

Ska legends Mustard Plug are back with an eight-track EP entitled HEY!. This latest record highlights the band’s creativity and gives the listener a little bit of everything that Mustard Plug has to offer. It features four new tracks from last year’s Where Did All My Friends Go? album sessions; produced by Descendents‘ Bill Stevenson – as well as a few surprises.

Kicking off the EP is the title track, “Hey!”, a fast-paced song, best suited for a live show and an audience chanting along; it’s reminiscent of Evildoers days and is a stellar start to the album. The second song, “Take Me With You,” takes it down a notch and adds a harmonic touch; although a slower tempo, it flows well with the rest of the album. Next up for new material is “West Coast,” a simplistic pop-ska-style track and the most energetic song on the album, showcasing the band’s favourite locations. Lastly, “Not Breaking Down” – it’s heavy-hitting, fast and made for the dance floor – you can’t go wrong with this track.

Now for the surprises… The teaser released for this EP was “Vampire,” from last year’s album Where Did All My Friends Go?; although it’s not the Mustard Plug version you’re familiar with. “Vampire (House on Fire)” has been remixed and reworked by Math(s) into a gothic-style EDM track and it is going over well with fans. The song “Now or Never” from the same album is now your classic dub track, thanks to the legendary, Victor Rice; dubbed perfectly with a syncopated rhythm and echoing vocals. There are a couple covers on this EP as well; “Springtime,” from the children’s show, Imagination Movers and “Waiting Room” by Fugazi; the latter has been a staple at live shows throughout the years.

This album is Mustard Plug’s most eclectic thus far, pushing the boundaries of their creativity while maintaining the style that fans adore.

LOCAL SPINS
by Dutcher Snedeker

What Stands Out: Ska-punk veterans Mustard Plug have returned with “Hey!,” an EP that further builds on the sessions from their 2023 release “Where Did All My Friends Go?” After over 30 years as a band, Mustard Plug continues to create driving music that resonates with listeners around the country. New tracks include “Hey!,” “Take Me With You,” “Not Breaking Down,” and “West Coast,” and are placed alongside two remixes for “Vampire” that are already gaining streaming traction, a remix of “Sunny” (or “Now or Never”), and a cover of “Waiting Room” by Fugazi. Fans can delight in that classic, legendary sound from Mustard Plug while celebrating the West Michigan group’s ability to continue forward with new music and memories on the road.

Digging Deeper: Grand Rapids has long seen the rise of Mustard Plug to national prominence, with a catalog that spans back to the early ’90s. Rather than resign themselves to the comforts of “legacy touring,” this band continues to strive for the same magic that galvanized this group to begin their journey in the music industry. The new songs radiate that nostalgic energy with modern production flair while the remixes help to bridge their multi-generational listening audience in a way that feels authentic even as they progress. Whether you’re looking to “skank” the hours away or inject some energizing tunes into your dreary winter week, Mustard Plug continues to be a group thousands seek out every year for how they reward both themselves and their fan base with every new release.

Perfect For: Anyone looking to experience Mustard Plug’s energetic live experience from the comforts of home while celebrating the continuing legacy of one of Grand Rapids’ finest.

Listen: “Take Me With You”

READJUNK.COM
by B. ReadJunk

Mustard Plug released their awesome Where Did All My Friends Go? and played all over the world. Ska-punk legends Mustard Plug are back with more music! On December 13th, they’ll unleash Hey!, an 8-song EP that channels the energy of their live shows while delivering some unexpected twists. Featuring four revived, reworked, and razor-sharp tracks from the fertile Where Did All My Friends Go? sessions, the band once again teamed up with legendary producer Bill Stevenson (Descendents, ALL, Black Flag, Rise Against) to finish songs too fierce to leave behind.

“Take Me With You” is an anthemic, emotionally charged track from guitarist Colin Clive, while the rager “Not Breaking Down” and gnarly, pounding title track “Hey” capture all the frantic ferocity of a Plug pit. Meanwhile, “West Coast” takes you on a bouncy, busted-suspension tour of some of the band’s favorite destinations—cranking up the ska energy with every mile.