Mutha's Day Out -- how we first met them

I first discovered this band after a friend of mine, Tim Hurd, helped roadie a show where they opened for the Bulletboys here in Atlanta in Nov. 1993. (Bassist Jeff had dislocated his knee the night before, but insisted on playing the show in a leg-brace; he paid for this in pain later....ouch). Tim thought they were really good and when he talked to them, he found their openness and friendliness refreshing. Much later at around 4am, we were on the way home when Tim casually mentioned where the band was staying.

With nothing else to do, we drove up to the Motel 6 where the band was staying (they were trying to minimize their label's tour expenses), on the 'what-the-hell-maybe-we'll-see-them-outside' principle. Chuck and Rod were sitting in the nearby Waffle House and, recognizing Tim through the car window, Chuck ran outside and flagged us down. "C'mon inside! Hang out! Hang out!" So, we did.

We chatted with them for a while and then (around 6 am) we went back to their motel room and chatted some more (Brice slept the sleep of the s/l/o/s/h/e/d dead while we were there). They were really cool, and Chuck gave us his address and phone number.

I went out looking for My Soul is Wet the next day, and found it after four tries at different stores. I liked it a lot, and, when we learned they were playing a special New Years Eve show in Tampa/St. Pete at the Bayfront Arena, Tim and I decided to drive down (nine hours!) to see them. It was their very first arena show.

They kindly put us on their guest-list, and we hung out in their dressing room before, during and after their opening set (part of a four-band bill, with Jackyl headlining). MDO were thrilled to play a large venue and even more excited afterwards when they were asked for autographs, etc. It was great to watch and well-worth the grueling drive; seeing Jeff, who was sixteen and looked younger, hobbling around on stage like a maniac (still with his leg in the brace) was truly inspiring!

We kept in touch with Chuck and Jeff after that and watched their slow, steady build with pleasure, then suffered the brutal disappointment of learning that they were calling it quits as MDO for good. They were one of the youngest, freshest and most energetic bands I've ever seen.

Although they're currently on hiatus (that's industryspeak for "broken up"), everyone from the band has been involved in musical projects since the MDO days.

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