The Muggs

Formed in 2000, the Detroit blues-rock powerhouse the Muggs coalesced around guitarist and vocalist Danny Methric, bassist and backing vocalist Tony DeNardo, and drummer Matt Rost. Throughout the opening years of the decade the trio cultivated a fiercely loyal following in their hometown. Tragedy interrupted that momentum in September 2001 when 28-year-old DeNardo endured a hemorrhagic stroke that nearly proved fatal. Following two years of rigorous physical rehabilitation he recovered, though his right hand remained paralyzed. Refusing to abandon the group, he began performing his bass parts on a Fender Rhodes piano, allowing the reconfigured Muggs 2.0 to resume live performances. The band signed with the local independent imprint Times Beach Records in 2005, issued its self-titled debut album, and launched an extensive touring campaign. That road eventually brought an invitation to audition for the FOX reality series The Next Great American Band, where the Muggs were selected from more than 10,000 hopeful acts. They advanced through four episodes before returning home, where Methric received the Outstanding Rock/Pop Instrumentalist honor and the band earned Outstanding Rock Artist/Group recognition at the 2008 Detroit Music Awards. Their second album, On with the Show, followed in May of that year to widespread critical praise.