Do You Believe in Things You Cannot See?

When Here Come The Mummies asks in song, if you believe in things you cannot see, hopefully, your answer is yes! You better believe in things you cannot see if you plan to attend the band's concert. There is more here than meets the eye. What is invisible is the intense bond hundreds of fans form as they mingle and speculate. Curiosity runs rampant as some early arrival fans wonder if one of the mummies is sitting in street clothes at the venue bar or somewhere in the audience. Or if an unmasked mummy would happen to be near the group's huge bus parked out front. It would be a rare sighting! There is an aura of fantasy. The anticipation is so thick that it can be sliced with a knife. The stage is set just right, with stage hands checking and re-checking. It has to be just perfect. The Egyptian "flame" pots are lit on stage. The eerie fog begins to roll off the stage. When the house lights finally dim, it is time. Then a magical procession begins as Here Come The Mummies enter the stage area by slowly marching through the audience, and banging on drums as they clear their way up to the stage. Many reach out to touch the mummies or take pictures. It is clear that this is more than a show...it is the spellbinding experience of a lifetime.

Here Come The Mummies has a winning mystique and a riveting stage presence. The group's scenario explaining their ancient origin is both fascinating and original. It sells. It is the talk of the town. It is also this extraordinary idea that is propelling the group to regional stardom. The identities of band members are strictly kept top secret and they are very serious about it. Try Googling for any info. Try talking to others. No one knows who the musicians are behind the Mummy garb. It is short of spectacular, in this day and age, to pull off such a feat. It would truly be a shame if their identities were ever revealed. The musicians are surrounded in rumors and hype that they have been, or are, session musicians. It is said that Grammy Awards float among them so they cover their faces as to not conflict with or violate other music/recording contracts. They gyrate with endless movements that only gain in momentum as the night progresses. They play catchy funk rock with a hard edge for the duration of two unstopping hours, all the while keeping a pace that is both intense and well-choreographed, to a mind boggling degree. This gig is one of stamina! The major strengths of the performance lie in the talent, high energy and choreography. They play "terrifying funk from beyond the grave" with no breaks between songs. Each song seamlessly blends into the next, to the standing audience's delight. The horn section is especially superb, with many declaring they have not heard brass music of this standard since Chicago and Tower of Power. The rest of the band provides a potent match and there are simply no weak links anywhere in the entire lineup.

The musicians don't miss a beat when displaying their professional abilities. Many of the band's most loyal fans are other musicians in the industry who recognize solid talent when they see and hear it. Never has a band ranged from one end of the talent spectrum to the other... from raunchy to humorous, and controversial to provocative.

It is often said that this is a band that does not take itself too seriously. I disagree. Beneath the somewhat spooky, outward appearance of the musicians is a band that has made and claimed its mark in the music industry. Here Come The Mummies could not have possibly gained the popularity it has, if the band did not take itself seriously. This requires an enormous amount of hard work, commitment, rehearsal and travel. Whether it be their recordings, busy touring schedule or sometimes silly antics on stage, the group gives every ounce of sweat to the crowd. The crowd owns this sweat and the band during the performance. The band members take their fans seriously - so seriously in fact, that they hobnob with them after each show by posing for photos, signing autographs, etc. Best of all, they all really seem to enjoy this routine aspect of their shows as much as their fans do.

The band consists of a guitarist, drummer and bassist, as well as a percussionist and keyboardist. There is also a brass section, consisting of trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and baritone sax. Band members can rotate per show, although there is always a trumpet and saxophone. Typically the band plays with approximately ten members on stage. Some of the members include:

Eddie Mummy - drums, vocals

Java - percussion, vocals

K.W. Tut- bass/vocals

Mummy Cass- guitar, vocals

Oozie Mummy - trumpet, vocals

Spaz Mummy - keys

Bucking Blanco- trumpet

Midnight Mummy - sax

Mummy Rah - sax

Ramses- bass

Teste Verde- trumpet

The Flu - sax

The band is billed as musician playing, rotting, 5000 year old nomads who were descendants from the foul smelling tribe, Expleticus Deleticus. They were rediscovered in 1922 at a dig in the desert, south of Tunis, by Professor Nigel Quentin Fontenelle Dumblucke, IV, when he heard the unlikely thumping of music. The ruins of an ancient discotheque were unearthed where the mummies were still in the act of performing. The media loves it! Occasionally, a media interview will be granted, however, little information about the musicians behind the masks is given. After all, mummies don't talk...they growl. If you allow the outrageous appearance and sometimes sexually suggestive song lyrics to deter you from enjoying the music to the fullest, you are missing out. Yes, the Here Come The Mummies clan looks a bit peculiar. Still, there is one distinguishing characteristic that shines....these are simply nice, approachable guys who are mega talented, love to interact with the audience and who just love to play music. It is believed the musicians hail from the Nashville, TN area.

At the February 18, 2011 concert at The Bluebird in Bloomington, Indiana, I became mummified! I am officially a fan, and I look forward to seeing Here Come The Mummies again! Expect an eclectic audience- or mixed bag. From the younger crowd, to seniors, to fans dressed in jeans, dresses and mummy rags, the venue is often a paradise for people watchers. Next to me in the audience was a married couple with their college son and his male friend. Mom kept chanting, "We Want The Mummies" and dad kept giving a thumbs up. This is a friendly crowd that will move over to make room for you, or chit chat about the lengthy distance from other states - that people drove, to attend the concert. You can easily make friends for life at a Here Come The Mummies concert.

The songs are catchy, however, not real appropriate to sing just anyplace or anytime. Yes, some of the lyrics can be a bit crude but Here ComeThe Mummies wouldn't have it any other way. You see, with this band, it is all about double-talk, and sexual innuendos. It's just part of the act. The contrast of musicians of this caliber, singing seemingly off-color lyrics, can be rather amusing. The songs and demeanor seem to be in good fun though, and odds are you will probably pay more attention to the beat of the music than some of the lyrics. If you get turned off listening to a sample of the lyrics and do not hear them in their entirety, your mind just may stumble into the gutter. So slow down...give a listen and don't be too quick to judge.

For instance, Here Come The Mummies sings of wieners and how the footlong keeps you coming back, in the tune, "The Attack of the Wiener Man:"

He waits all patient out in the street
All the honeys want to sample the meat
He can't help but relish the fact
The Foot Long® Keeps you coming back
Once you're feeling safe and cool
That's when the wiener man makes his move
Mm-m-Mm-M-M-M-M-M
You can't scream when your mouth is full

He's coming for ya
He's gonna get ya
Attack of the wiener man
He's coming for ya
He's gonna get ya
Attack of the weiner man

In the hit song, "Pants," the singer implies he is going to do something that sounds sexual:

Stick it in the pig, pop it in the bank
Saturday is coming quicker than you think
Forty-eight to rendezvous
I'm gonna blow a wad on you

Oh, oh, oh
I'm coming in my pants, my shirt
It's my best suit baby
Gonna pick your flower
Gonna be there in an hour
Coming in my pants, shined shoes
In my neck tie honey
I'm so excited I hope that I don't come too soon

Hang on because the songs are not as indecent as they sound. If you listen further, you will know The Wiener Man is a man with a hot dog cart, the singer plans to blow a wad of cash on you, (what were you thinking?) and yes, he is coming in his pants, but also his shirt and best suit baby....oh, and he hopes he doesn't come too soon because he is counting down the hours until he sees her. As one fan commented, "dirty songs have never been funnier"!

If the play-on-word lyrics are not your style, you will still be dancing to "Ra Ra Ra"- a crowd favorite and probably the band's best work, and some of the other, slower songs such as "Wound Up Together" and "Bag of Bones." If you see this band live and do not have the urge to dance throughout their performance though, there is something seriously wrong with you!

In many ways, the gathering afterwards is just as fun as the concert itself! Here Come The Mummies has personalized merchandise for sale such as DVDs, CDs, cups, shirts, keychains, etc. and is happy to give autographs and pose for pictures. Don't be surprised if a few mummies stand or dance on the table next to the merchandise. They roam the crowd, eager to greet their fans. If you're lucky, they will flash you an adorable smile! I can attest that they are certainly the cutest Mummies I have ever seen...

The band is signed with Sphinxter Records - an independent label, with the following accomplishments:

Carnal Carnival (released October 19, 2010)

Undead Live DVD (released January 31, 2009)

Single Entendre (released February 26, 2008)

Everlasting Party (released September 2, 2003)

Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave (released June 11, 2002)

There are several You Tube clips of The Bob & Tom Show, featuring Here Come The Mummies. Fans can also access the band's website at www.herecomethemummies.com where they can sign up for the newsletter, order merchandise and post on the forum. Band members are known to read the comments and interact on the forum, as well. Here Come The Mummies has a hectic tour schedule so be sure to check the website to know when the guys will be in your area. You will be excited when you hold those hot tickets in your hand!

Sometimes we just have to step out and do something different...as in de-stress from work, leave the rut behind and get a little crazy! This concert fits the bill. I will caution you to remember when you see Here Come The Mummies that mummies are not exactly known for their social skills and graces. As I turned to leave, after having a picture taken- up close and personal with one of the guys, I felt it! Did that sly, lovable mummy really do that? He did...he patted my butt! Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow.