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At Least They Got Shews
An Interview with Muddy Shews
by Michelle Paponetti

With a musical interest that dates back to the age of six, Steve Shewchuk, better known to Jukes fans as Muddy Shews, has done quite a job filling the position of such previous Jukes bassists as David Hayes and Garry Tallent. From his work with Dramarama in the 80's to his most recent project, recording on the upcoming Jukes album at Jon Bon Jovi's home studio, Muddy's musical journey has taken him from classical piano to Rock and Roll, and back through the underbelly of straight ahead Blues and honest R&B. Since joining the band in the summer of 2000, Muddy has had quite a few memorable experiences with the band, including two trips to Europe and a chance to hang out backstage with rock legend Keith Richards! Muddy sat down with me for a discussion on his present and past musical adventures.

Where did the nickname “Muddy Shews” come from?
Well, I was in a band called Laughen Bone's at the time, around 1981, and people used to call me “Shews” because of my last name. One day after a whole weekend of being intoxicated on a camping trip (one of many), I stumbled into a band rehearsal and my feet were completely covered with mud. So my friend Dave, the lead singer says, “Oh, look! Muddy Shoes!” And it just stuck from there. I’ve had that name now for about 20 years and used it as a stage name and on album credits ever since.

What has it been like playing with the Jukes?
It’s been more fun than any other gig I've ever had in lots of ways. Clowning around with everyone on and off stage, especially on the road. Playing great music with such great musicians and so many of them all at once! And so many great responses from crowds from all over keeps a lot of the excitement intact. It's also very challenging at times, especially when I get thrown into the fire onstage, which is pretty common at a Southside show. Johnny will ask me backstage before a show about a particular song, "Do you know this one?", and I'll say "no", then he'll say, "OK, don't worry about it." Then it ends up being in the set anyway! Actually, most of the time he won't say anything at all beforehand. I like to be kept on my toes that way. The guys have been great to me in those situations, especially Kazee. Whenever I'm thrown a curveball, I’ll look at Kazee’s left hand and he'll overemphasize what he's doing just to show me clearly where the bass was going, so I can follow along. The guys were very cool about things when I first joined and made it really easy. The musicianship is just great. Now I’m to the point where I’m very relaxed, I goof around just as much as the rest of the guys. I look forward to what’s to come, especially the recording of the new Jukes album.

Have you started work on the new album? I hear Jon Bon Jovi is lending you guys his studio.
Yeah, so far we've put down some of the rhythm tracks. I'm not sure how many tracks the final product will have but we're still just kinda playing it by ear right now.

The band has visited a lot of places in the past year and a half. Do you like being on the road?
I love it. I like the fact that even though we get to see and play a lot of places, I’m not out for 18 month stretches at a time, like other touring acts. It’s kind of nice, I can be home too. The experiences that I’ve had with the Jukes on the road have all been great, especially in Europe. One of the best parts about it is playing many different types of venues and reaching many different audiences all in one trip. Three weeks out can seem like three months! I hope to see new venues and cities this spring and summer.

Is that when the guys are going back out on the road?
I hope so. I'm getting itchy again. Right now plans are being worked out for the spring and summer and we're hoping to go back to England in October. I would also like to see more West Coast and European dates or perhaps even Japan. You think Tahiti would be too much to ask?

What are some songs you enjoy playing the most live?
I like the energetic songs like “Got To Be A Better Way Home.” I also like playing “Tell Me (That Our Love’s Still Strong)” because the opening bassline is strong. “Tired Skin" is another good one. Another favorite is "Living With The Blues".

I know you have gotten to meet a lot of cool people as well, including Keith Richards. What was that experience like?
Meeting Keith is something I thought I’d never do. He seems so untouchable. He’s such a legend. And all the times he’s gotten in trouble, (laughs) and the resulting "bad" press he’s had throughout his career. When I actually got to meet him backstage at the Rainforest Alliance Benefit at the Beacon Theatre, Johnny's dressing room was right next to his and he was just a sweet little guy that reminded me of somebody’s cute little grandmother! (laughs) And he approached me with a big warm smile, stuck his hand out. He was just this warm guy with fishing lures in his hair. I’ve always been a big Stones fan, ever since MY bad boy days.

You’ve also gotten to play on the bill with a lot of interesting people: Bon Jovi, Shawn Mullins, Pat Benetar, Gary “U.S.” Bonds...
Yeah, Buddy Guy too. There’s a bunch of them. I still play with Gary every now and then. He's a lot of fun. I also liked it when we shared the bill with a Jersey band called Highway 9 in Boston. They're great. You should check them out. I think their album comes out in May.

When you’re not touring, do you miss being on the road?
I think about when and where the next tour might be and get anxious about going out again. It’s a part of the job that I love and of course I miss it at times. But there are also lots of great moments right here in New Jersey too!

What bands are you into now?
I'm listening to lots of bands these days. Train, the new Bob Dylan, I also like the new Ozzy Osbourne CD. I still listen to The Stones a lot, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Kinks. I also like some rap every so often if it's good, and some of it is. I like the Beastie Boys, Jamiroquai, Primus, Elvis and whatever else that’s next to the CD player. I'm also a big fan of Classical music. I actually started out on the piano before I picked up the bass and took 20 years of lessons learning mostly Classical piano music. My favorites are Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, Gershwin. And I like a lot of the orchestral stuff too like Mussorgsky, Dvorak, Grieg. I’m also a huge blues fan. I have some Muddy Waters--I got to meet his son last year, Big Bill Morganfield. I have Little Walter, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, I could go on all day...

Was being a musician something you have always wanted to do?
Being a musician was always a part of me ever since I was 6 years old getting into trouble by sneaking out into the hallway to play the piano when I was supposed to be in the classroom. Then I was interested in the guitar when my sister threw away an old acoustic and I picked it back out of the garbage can and taught myself to play. Then the bass came a few years later when I would go to basement jam sessions and be very annoyed at all the poorly chosen notes the bass players would use. I thought that I had to do something about it so I convinced my mom to buy me a used Gibson bass when I was 13. I haven't stopped since.

Is anyone else in your family a musician?
My mother has a beautiful alto voice and has been singing in the church choir for a long time. She also plays the piano. I also had an uncle who was in a professional polka trio back in the 50's.

Who was your biggest influence?
Without a doubt, John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin. He was just very overlooked. Great session player. Back in the 60’s, he made appearances on so many different things that a lot of people don’t even realize. For example, “She’s a Rainbow” by the Stones, that’s him on the piano! I really like listening to his playing on Led Zeppelin records. There are so many subtle little tasty things that I’ve picked up that I love. I have many other influences like Jaco, Bootsy, Tony Levin, Les Claypool, Jack Bruce, too many to mention.

Do you think you’ve grown at all as a musician since you began working with the Jukes?
Definitely, working with people on that level of musicianship I’ve learned things about the business and the music and I've grown a lot with these guys.

Have you worked on a lot of other projects?
I worked with the band Dramarama. I was actually supposed to be their original piano player when they first started out in Wayne, NJ. I grew up with those guys and I played a lot with them. I was on their first album, actually. They asked me to come on tour with them and move to California, but I didn’t have any keyboard equipment. I kinda blew that one. But I still talk to the guys and play with them every so often. I’ve also worked with Buddy Miles, Gary US Bonds, I've worked with other horn bands, and countless local projects.

Where would you like to play that you haven't gone yet?
I like would like to play in places like Memphis and New Orleans in the US and countries like Japan and Australia. Really any place on earth that would like the Jukes! Did I mention Tahiti?

Muddy Shews Photos

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