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Mugstar in session for Huw Stephens

They almost ended up being named after a slagheap, but this Liverpool four-piece are making some of the finest noise to burst forth out of your speakers.

Formed in the late nineties the current line-up dates back to 2002 with Peter Smyth on guitar/keyboards/bass, Neil Murphy on guitar, Jason Stoll - bass/sax and Steve Ashton on drums.

"Our former singer wanted to name us Muckstack because that's what they call slagheaps in his native Barnsley" explains Jason, shaking his head. "Fortunately someone misheard and thought he said Mugstar, and he decided that was much better!"

Claiming 'wide-ranging influences' the band are big fans of Neu and Hawkwind, classical music punk, electronica and folk.

"I think one of our strengths is that we all like lots of different things and always try to bring new things into the mix, whether its keyboards, electronics or strings." Their new EP 'My Babyskull Has Not Yet Flowered' certainly does all of that.

When it comes to playing live, Mugstar like to turn it all the way up to eleven. Well they've had to, given that they've gigged with Scottish noisiks Part Chimp who play so loud that they advise their audience to wear earplugs.

So what's a typical Mugstar gig like, apart from loud? "It usually involves a bit of falling over, some bruises and takeaway food," grins Paul. "It's all a bit of a blur really. Their might be some heckling, but we wouldn't hear it anyway!"

The band performed a Peel session in March last year. "He made such a difference to all of us," reflects Jason, "there are so many bands we'd never have heard of if not for Peel, so to be a part of that history was a bit special."

This is Mugstar's first session for OneMusic.

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