Exposé Online banner

The Muffins

The Muffins
Country
United States
Profile
The Muffins was a Maryland-based progressive rock / avant-jazz group initially influenced largely by Canterbury groups like Soft Machine. They were formed in Washington, DC in the early 70s by Dave Newhouse (keyboards, saxes), Michael Zentner (guitar), and Billy Swann (bass), who were soon joined by Tom Scott (saxes); Paul Sears (drums) was added in 1976. The original group, with some variations, recorded four albums before disbanding in 1981. In the late 90s, after Cuneiform had some success reissuing The Muffins' albums, the group reformed with Newhouse, Swann, Scott, and Sears, a group which returned to recording and performing, often working with other musicians. In 2016, it was announced that the band had permanently broken up, though members have continued to work together in various projects.
Website
http://www.themuffins.org
Related articles (19)
Releases on file (16)
Various Artists — Romantic Warriors III: Canterbury Tales Various Artists — Romantic Warriors III: Canterbury Tales
(Zeitgeist Media 3, 2015, DVD)
The Muffins — Mother Tongue The Muffins — Mother Tongue
(HOBART 003, 2012, CD)
Various Artists — Romantic Warriors II: About Rock in Opposition Various Artists — Romantic Warriors II: About Rock in Opposition
(Zeitgeist Media 2, 2012, DVD)
The Muffins — Palindrome The Muffins — Palindrome
(Musea FGBG 4865, 2010, CD)
Various Artists — Kinections: The ProgDay Support CD Various Artists — Kinections: The ProgDay Support CD
((Not on label) no#, 2005, CD)
The Muffins with Marshall Allen & Knoel Scott — Loveletter #2 The Muffins with Marshall Allen & Knoel Scott — Loveletter #2 "The Ra Sessions"
(HOB002, 2005, CD)
The Muffins — Double Negative The Muffins — Double Negative
(Cuneiform Rune 199, 2004, CD)
The Muffins — Bandwidth The Muffins — Bandwidth
(Cuneiform Rune 161, 2002, CD)
The Muffins — Loveletter #1 The Muffins — Loveletter #1
(CoNtOrTeD CON6, 2001, CD)
Various Artists — Unsettled Scores Various Artists — Unsettled Scores
(Cuneiform Rune 75/76, 1995, 2CD)
The Muffins — Open City The Muffins — Open City
(Cuneiform 55010, 1985/1994, CD)
Various Artists — Recommended Records Sampler Various Artists — Recommended Records Sampler
(Recommended Records (RéR) ReR 25A/B, 1982/2009, 2CD)
The Muffins — <185> The Muffins — <185>
(Cuneiform 55013, 1981/1996, CD)
The Muffins — Manna / Mirage The Muffins — Manna / Mirage
(Cuneiform 55004, 1978/1993, CD)
The Muffins — Secret Signals 1 The Muffins — Secret Signals 1
(New House NH02, 1978/2017, CD)
The Muffins — Chronometers The Muffins — Chronometers
(Cuneiform 55007, 1975/1993, CD)

Latest news

2018-06-05
Koenjihyakkei Seeks Funding for New Album – It's been quite a few years since the last new studio album by the amazing Koenjihyakkei. Now they are preparing Dhormimviskha for worldwide release, and they're asking fans to pre-order via a Kickstarter campaign to help it happen. » Read more

2018-05-14
Glenn Branca RIP – Experimental guitarist and composer Glenn Branca has died at the age of 69. He was known for compositions featuring large ensembles of guitars, and for the use of feedback. He founded his band Theoretical Girls in the mid-70s as an art-punk answer to what he saw as the increasing commercialization of punk music. His compositions were highly influential, with such figures as David Bowie, Thurston Moore, and John Lurie among his fans. » Read more

2018-04-05
OBEY Convention XI Set for May 24-28 in Halifax – As the 2018 festival season rapidly approaches, we’d like you to be aware of a real treasure of diverse and creative music that’s going to take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, next month. The OBEY Convention is on its 11th outing, and features a wide range of artists from around the world. From avant-industrial noise to experimental takes on Classical Chinese music, from chamber jazz to doom metal, from ambient soundscapes to Canadian First Nations drumming, you’d be hard pressed to find a festival with more variety in sound anywhere in the world. » Read more

2018-04-04
Close to the Rain Festival in Bergen Announces Lineup – Now in its second year, the Close to the Rain Festival of progressive music is scheduled to take place in Bergen, Norway, on June 7 - 9. They've got an amazing slate of bands lined up, including such powerhouses as Anekdoten, Major Parkinson, Arabs in Aspic, Tusmørke, and many more. » Read more

2018-03-01
Seaprog 2018 Artist Announcements Raise Festival's Profile – Seattle's Seaprog festival has been going since 2013, and the 2018 edition features a slate of artists that's sure to bring more attention to the event. Cheer-Accident, Bubblemath, and Free Salamander Exhibit are in the first round announcement of performers. In keeping with their tradition of focusing on regional artists, they will also present a number of artists from Washington and Oregon. [Edit: Just added: Inner Ear Brigade] » Read more

More news

Previously in Exposé...

Gods of Electricity - Sundiving – Introducing a world where standard sci-fi is just too darn human to be plausible. If there are any advanced life forms out there taking joy rides through post-supernoval remnants or losing the space...  (2007) » Read more

Camel - Harbour of Tears – Camel's latest album is a rather moody, somewhat slow-moving concept surrounding the events which take place in a small town on the Irish coast. Harbour of Tears is again (like 1991's Dust and...  (1996) » Read more

Fromage - Ondine – Cheese jokes aside, this band was active throughout the eighties, and released two regular albums. Their approach was symphonic, featuring guitar, bass, keys, drums and flute, and female vocals, and...  (1996) » Read more

Banzai - Hora Nata – This Flemish quintet have only one album to their name, the 1974 LP Hora Nata, which has become legendary among symphonic progressive collectors. The band is led by the organ playing of Peter Torfs....  (1996) » Read more

The Fellowship - In Elven Lands – It is no surprise that Yes vocalist Jon Anderson would finally contribute to a musical project surrounding the highly profitable Lord of the Rings books and films. What is surprising is how...  (2007) » Read more

Random review

Listen & discover

Only the Elk Remains

More recommendations
ProgStock 2017

Print issues