Who Are The Mugwugs?

left to right: Brian Budahn (keyboards/vocals), Sam Branstner (drums/vocals), Kevin Nyberg (guitars/vocals), Scott Wegner (guitars/harmonica/vocals), Andy Bingham (bass guitar/mandola)

Okay, if you want to get technical, The Mugwugs originated in the mid-1980's. Teenagers Kevin Nyberg (guitars/vocals) and Scott Wegner (guitars/harmonica/vocals) began jamming together in Bertha, Minnesota, way back during the Reagan Administration.

Fast forward to 2018. Kevin, Scott and Andy Bingham (bass guitar/mandola) were drummerless after their former band "Old School" folded. They invited an old friend to jam with them during the Minnesota sub-zero months of 2018 and soon Sam Branstner (drums/vocals) found himself in the band. 

The new quartet decided to rebrand themselves as "The Mugwugs" ... mostly because it sounded different. In the summer of 2019, they played their first gig at Freedom Days in Becker, Minnesota, and quickly built a following--a group of fans affectionately called "the Muggers."

Then came 2020. Ugh.

The Mugwugs survived the dreaded Covid pandemic; while there weren't many gigs to play, they kept rehearsing and refining their craft. 

Finally in the spring of 2022, as the world found its "new normal," the band took another big step, adding another old friend, Brian Budahn (keyboards/vocals), to round out The Mugwugs sound.

The band takes pride in calling themselves a "live band mix tape," playing a vast variety of music, from George Jones to Matchbox 20 to Poison to Little River Band. The band likes to say, "If we don't play it, you don't need to hear it!"

The Mugwugs have performed for many private parties, wedding dances, summer festivals... even an awesome BMX bike rally! Just about any event that demands live music, The Mugwugs answer the call. 

The Mugwugs deliver tight vocal harmonies, fine musicianship and nearly four decades of on-stage experience, bringing great music and good times to the Upper Midwest. Next time we are in your area, please stop by and say hello!    

Contact us for availability and pricing using the form on the home page or send an email to themugwugs@gmail.com and we will answer you as quickly as possible.