By Sarah December 19, 2008 To quote Darren "Dazza" Adkins, Mulligans' lead vocals/guitar player, "Mulligans assemble for fun and aim to be the best band you'll stumble upon, that you never heard of!" I couldn't say it better and that's exactly how I felt after listening to Mulligans jam, hard-rock style, at Mug Shots in De Pere. They were set-up in the front window, of this laid-back pub-style bar, with simple lights, amps and instruments. This particular night there were three of the four members: Jeremy "J-Mart" Martens lead guitar/vocals, Bill Ward drums, and the previously mentioned Darren "Dazza" Adkins lead vocals/bass guitar. Missing was Dave Fagan bass guitar /vocals. There was an edge to the bands music that jumped out at me right away and it wasn't just Darren's disarming British accent. They poured through each song with intensity and passion. A full three set song list that took them up and down the rock/pop scale from hard to alternative and back again. Just a sampling of the artists: Velvet Revolver, Thin Lizzy, U2, Violent Femmes, Van Morrison, and even a version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" to name a few. The band has quite impressive roots. Some fun facts: Around in some way, shape, or form since 1998, with Darren and Dave as two of the founding members, the others Tom Thiel lead guitar (now Boxkar & Hank's Kaboose) and also Mike Rowland (now Saturday Morning). In 2000 Mulligans released "Real Virtuality" and this was also the same year they opened for Nickelback at Summerfest in Milwaukee. Their hit "Desdemona," remained a most requested indie tune on Milwaukee's Rock 102.1 for 2 solid months. Very glad to have "stumbled across" Mulligans music and looking forward to catching them again.
By Sarah