Fresh Muphins at Mattison’s: A local restaurant chain gives original music a spin

Published July 14, 2010 Sarasota-Bradenton’s three Mattison’s restaurants are not the first establishments people think of when seeking a good local original live set. A walk past downtown Sarasota’s City Grille usually reveals a piano man breaking out, well “Piano Man,” or some aging rockers taking “Mustang Sally” for a ride. But that notion could soon change with the adoption of the Muphin Chuckrs as a regular act at Mattison’s Riverside in Bradenton. Although MC has been around the scene for a decade, their ages range from mid- to late-20s, and their music style is far from the usual “safe bet” that most local venues refuse to stray from. With a solid base in punk that has evolved over the years to include touches of reggae, blues and funk, their live shows are loud, raucous and in-your-face. Frontman and lyricist Dustin White has a set of pipes that can reach deafening levels and he’s usually not one to hold back, on the primal screams or the profanity. As far as covers, you’re not going to get many. The Chuckrs included a version of the classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” on their 2008 album House Party Heroes that sounded more on par with Incubus than Elvis. The band just dropped their latest effort,From Life to Paper, earlier this month. And as it is their ninth full-length release, they’ve amassed a myriad of original material to choose from. Mattison’s Marketing and PR Director Jennifer Ahearn-Koch says Catering Director Aimee Choquette originally suggested MC as an act for Riverside and Chef Paul Mattison, whose mother was a classical pianist and insists on actively participating in the booking at his restaurants, decided to provide them an opportunity. “As far as booking more original bands in the future at Mattison’s Riverside and other Mattison’s locations?” asks Ahearn-Koch, “Absolutely! If our customers enjoy it, then Mattison’s will provide it.” They must be enjoying their new customer base, because the Muphin Chuckrs, who first performed at Riverside on July 11, are now the standing Sunday band. I guess the after-church crowd wasn’t racking up too many bar tabs. PHOTO COURTESY TIM SUKITS