"Swampy, dirty, gritty, gorgeous? Yeah, pretty much all that can be used to describe the blues infused punch of the Portland duo’s sound. Rich vocal harmonies, overdriven guitars and a driving percussion backbone that holds it all together. A little dark, a little light and a wonderful balance make this band one to watch in the next year." - Red Line Roots Muddy Ruckus is a rock duo from Portland, Maine. The stripped down power duo features guitarist Ryan Flaherty and percussionist Erika Stahl. The band blends rootsy guitar and edgy percussion on a suitcase drum kit and is known for a full rock band sound, despite that they're a duo. They season their music with the salt of the eastern old ports, backroad electric grooves, and the mud of the Mississippi River where Flaherty grew up. The New York Music Daily calls Muddy Ruckus “Darkly Inventive Americana.” Muddy Ruckus was awarded “Best in State of Maine 2016” by the New England Music Awards, and has been recently nominated for “2017 Roots Act Of The Year” by NEMA. Their second album, Pretty Bones, was awarded 2106 “Album of the Year" by Red Line Roots. MR was also included in Daytrotter's "Best songs of The Year" in both 2014 and 2016. Muddy Ruckus has gone on to record four Daytrotter sessions over the past 3 years. Muddy Ruckus just finished recording their third album in Scarborough, ME at Bulkhead Studios, where they also recorded Pretty Bones. The new album will include twelve new songs that resonate deeply with the grit and intensity of the last album, but with more focus on the electric rock sound heard live at MR shows. The album was recorded in two days, mostly live, with just drums, guitar and vocals. Flaherty, originally from Rock Island, IL, met Stahl in 2013 in Portland Maine. They played on porches, street corners and campfires and became Muddy Ruckus. They would rehearse on the road, in the car, at shows and in the studio. The duo continues to pull inspiration from the music they love - dirty electric blues, old-timey folk music, circa 1940 hot swing and swampy rock n roll - dressing it with Dylan-esque lyrics that poke fun at society and poetically examine the state of the world. Muddy Ruckus released their debut album in September, 2014. Maine Today says "Muddy Ruckus's self-titled debut album touches on the sacred, hints at the profane and encapsulates everything in between, all to the sound of an infectiously toe-tapping backbeat." "Album of the Year" - Red Line Roots "Best in State" - New England Music Awards "Best Songs Of The Year" - Daytrotter "Roots Act Of The Year" - NEMA Nominee