Steve Whitehouse and Hodge joined in 1982, replacing the original drummer and bassist. This was now the classic Sharks line up that we have all grown up with.
The band's first album 'Phantom Rockers' was recorded in 1982 and released soon afterwards on Nervous Records. The band later spilt in 1983.
Steve went on to form Frenzy and has made a big success of it. Alan went on to carve a career as a record producer. Hodge could often be found playing in either Frenzy or some of Alan's studio and live projects.
The Sharks re-formed in 1993 with Alan Wilson on Guitar/vocals, Morrissey's bass player Gary Day on bass and Hodge on drums and released the album 'Recreational Killer' on Cherry Red/Anagram records and the 12" EP 'Bitch Attack' (Vinyl Japan).
In 1995 Steve returned when Gary left to re-join Morrissey. The next album was 'Colour My Flesh' in 1995 - again on Cherry Red/Anagram. Other releases included 'Ruff Stuff' - an album of demos and the vinyl EP 'Sir Psycho' (Fury).
Nowadays, Steve can still be found touring and recording with his band Frenzy. Hodge lives in Spain where he runs his own business. Alan is a producer and also owns a studio and label called Western Star.
Mudman
The Sharks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crawls around the swamp at night
Loves to smoke and drink and fight
Cheats 'n gambles and lies
Sees the world through bloodshot eyes
Where he came from no-one knows
Tattooed body, his hair piled high
Call him Mudman we don't know why
Mudman, Mudman etc.
There he goes!
All day long he bangs the drums
Soon the natives start to come
Scream and shout and jump around
Rockin' to that Mudman sound
Medicine Man, Witch-doctor too
They don't know what they're gonna door
Voodoo doll won't cast a spell
Mudman's power is straight from Hell
Witch-doctor he slaps the bass,
Disappears without a trace
The native's know that they all should
Worship the man that's made of mud
Where he came from no-one knows
Eight feet tall, bone through his nose
Tattooed body and hair piled high
Told the Medicine Man goodbye.
The Sharks' song "Mudman" paints the picture of a mysterious and powerful figure who crawls around the swamp at night, seemingly out of nowhere. The lyrics depict Mudman as a rebel of sorts - someone who loves to smoke, drink, and fight, cheats and gambles, and lies. He sees the world through bloodshot eyes, giving him a dangerous and unstoppable quality. The song's narrative highlights the fact that no one knows where Mudman came from - he is described as being eight feet tall with a bone through his nose, tattooed all over his body, with his hair piled high. This potent combination is what leads people to call him Mudman - despite the fact that they don't know why.
Perhaps Mudman's most impressive quality is his ability to play the drums. All day long he bangs away, attracting the natives who come to dance and celebrate his music. Even the Medicine Man and Witch-doctor are drawn to Mudman's power, with the latter's voodoo doll unable to cast a spell on him thanks to his strength coming "straight from Hell." In fact, the Witch-doctor is so enamored of Mudman that he plays bass alongside him. The song concludes with Mudman leaving the Medicine Man and his tribe of followers for some unknown destination.
Line by Line Meaning
Mudman, Mudman etc.
Repeating the name 'Mudman' multiple times to establish the main protagonist of the song.
Crawls around the swamp at night
Describing Mudman's nocturnal prowling.
Loves to smoke and drink and fight
Listing Mudman's favorite activities which are indulgent and violent.
Cheats 'n gambles and lies
Noting Mudman's dishonest and manipulative traits.
Sees the world through bloodshot eyes
Emphasizing Mudman's wild and intense perceptions due to his excessive habits of smoking and drinking.
Where he came from no-one knows
Highlighting the mystery and unfamiliarity surrounding Mudman's origins.
Eight feet tall, bone through his nose
Depicting the physical appearance of Mudman which is both bizarre and intimidating.
Tattooed body, his hair piled high
Further describing Mudman's striking physical features which make him all the more memorable.
Call him Mudman we don't know why
Drawing attention to the senselessness of the name 'Mudman' which is given to him but without any reason or explanation.
Mudman, Mudman etc.
Repeating the name 'Mudman' to remind the listeners of the song's titular character.
There he goes!
Closing the first half of the song with the repeated phrase 'There he goes!' which creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for what's to come.
All day long he bangs the drums
Describing Mudman's musical talent and his propensity to play the drums continuously.
Soon the natives start to come
Explaining how Mudman's drumming attracts the locals and brings them to him.
Scream and shout and jump around
Depicting the ecstatic response of the natives to Mudman's music.
Rockin' to that Mudman sound
Reiterating the fondness and admiration that the natives have for Mudman's drumming.
Medicine Man, Witch-doctor too
Introducing two other characters, Medicine Man and Witch-doctor, who are associated with Mudman and will play a role later in the song.
They don't know what they're gonna do
Suggesting that Medicine Man and Witch-doctor are unsure of what to expect from Mudman.
Voodoo doll won't cast a spell
Revealing that their traditional methods of magic won't work on Mudman since he seems to possess a power beyond their comprehension.
Mudman's power is straight from Hell
Stating that Mudman's ability is almost supernatural and perhaps even demonic in nature.
Witch-doctor he slaps the bass,
Illustrating Witch-doctor's musical contribution by playing the bass guitar.
Disappears without a trace
Implying that Witch-doctor has a mysterious quality, much like Mudman.
The native's know that they all should
Suggesting that the natives understand the unpredictable and powerful nature of Mudman, as well as that of the Witch-doctor.
Worship the man that's made of mud
Encouraging the reverence and adulation that should be given to Mudman, who is exceptional in both his musical prowess and otherworldly qualities.
Where he came from no-one knows
Reiterating Mudman's mysterious and inexplicable past.
Eight feet tall, bone through his nose
Repeating the physical descriptions of Mudman which are strange and intimidating.
Tattooed body and hair piled high
Reemphasizing Mudman's distinctive outward appearance which makes him memorable.
Told the Medicine Man goodbye.
Closing the song with the indication that Mudman's time with Medicine Man and Witch-doctor has come to an end, leaving the listeners with a sense of intrigue and wonder about the strange, supernatural being that is Mudman.
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
devilriderman
Mudman is a very good friend of mine. Played drums in "The Devilriders" for 8 years! Absolute legend!
TheRealDutyfreak
fckng goooooooood !