Mutter Slater (vocals, flute, rhythm guitar) was spotted by the future manager of Stackridge playing with his band at Glastonbury Town Hall. It wasn’t too hard to persuade him to move to Bristol, where he joined Stackridge in 1970. He then embarked with the band on a grueling series of one-nighters all over the U.K., developing his legendary and blindingly idiosyncratic stage act (slippers, grey flannels, dustbin lids etc.) alongside the band’s strongly melodic yet equally quirky songs and instrumentals.
The band was signed to MCA records in 1971, recording their debut album ‘Stackridge’ that year. This was followed in ‘72 and ‘73 by ‘Friendliness’ and the George Martin-produced ‘Man in the Bowler Hat’. All this, combined with constant gigging in the UK and Europe (including a tour with Jethro Tull), plus recordings for John Peel and Bob Harris at the BBC, resulted in temporary bum-out and several personnel changes in 1973/74. The band rose fag-end like from the ashes with ‘Extravaganza’ in 1975 and ‘Mr. Mick’ in ‘76 on Elton John’s Rocket label, before financial constraints brought about the band’s demise. Mutter then enjoyed the glamorous life of leather-tanning, car valeting and a car-hire business, keeping his hand in by playing r&b and soul to the good people of Somerset and Dorset. After a few false starts, he’s managed to find other like-feeling and thinking individuals who now comprise The Mutter Slater Band.
Chris Lonergan (bass, backing vocals) has been ever-present on the Southwest’s burgeoning blues/r&b/soul circuit for more years than he cares to remember, playing with the likes of Custer’s Last Blues Band, the Steamer Ducks (fronted by ex-Pretenders and Paul McCartney Band guitarist Robbie Mcintosh), the Jess Upton Soul Band and boogie piano wunderkind Ben Waters. His musical career has taken him from the pubs and clubs of West Dorset to the Victoria Falls and appearances in author Douglas Adams’ front room alongside Dave Gilmour and Gary Brooker. Chris also combines bass playing and road-managing duties on Muddy Waters son Big Bill Morganfield’s UK tours.
Ady Milward (drums, backing vocals) cut his musical teeth in punk-orientated bands around Dorset, before being lured onto the blues/r&b scene by promises of fame, riches and not having to play so fast. He’s accompanied Lonergan on countless gigs all over the UK, Europe and Scandinavia, forming a partnership that’s essential in any happening rhythm section.
Mutter Slater Band