Dan Mueller is best known for his work with Arizona rap rock pioneers The Phunk Junkeez. Dan was the founding drummer and co-songwriter for the band from 1991 until his departure in 2002. Dan is a vital part of the Phunk Junkeez history and success having performed and co-written songs throughout the course of the band including their self titled debut “Phunk Junkeez” in 1993, “Injected” in 1995, “Fear of a Whack Planet” in 1997 and “Sex Drugs Rap & Roll” in 2000.
Dan Mueller Playing TJS Custom Drums at a gig at McCune Mansion
The Phunk Junkeez in 1995
The Phunk Junkeez toured extensively for a decade, and shared tours with label mates No Doubt and Bush, as well as tour-favorites 311, Two Skinny J’s, Incubus, The Ramones, Slightly Stoopid, Clutch, Faith No More, Megadeath, Duran Duran, and Sheryl Crow just to name a few.
Dan Mueller on stage with the Phunk Junkeez and his massive set of TJS Custom Drums!
During his tenure with the Phunk Junkeez, Dan became a regular studio session sit-in at Vintage Studios in Phoenix, Lucky 7 and Phase Four studios in Tempe, AZ. Dan has worked with producers Lee Popa (Tool, Ministry, Living Color, Prong, KMFDM), Paul Palmer (No Doubt, Bush, Olivia Newton-John), Michael Blue (Five for Fighting, Colbie Calait), Dave Holman (Grease Soundtrack, Bush, Phunk Junkeez), Ed Miller (38 Special, Bob Ezrin, JJ French) and the late Jeff Poe (Santana, Madonna).
In 2002 Dan became a member of Jed’s A Millionaire due to his friendship with high school alum Shawn Harrington, lead singer and writer for the band. Dan was the bass player for the album “Kachina Theater” and then was assigned drum and bass duties for the national release of “Haunt” which received much radio play in the valley as well as regionally. In 2003 Jed’s a Millionaire was the house band for the Herberger Theater’s Hall of Fame honorary induction for Alice Cooper in which the band became The Spiders for a day performing alongside founders Dennis Dunnaway and Neil Smith. Dan still performs with Jed’s A Millionaire when the Los Angeles-based band calls for some backup.
In 2006 Dan and Eric “ET” Mobley formed the funk-fusion band Calumet consisting of a five piece rhythm section, dual female lead vocals and a three piece horn section. Calumet performed at a variety of valley community and holiday event functions throughout their 5 year existence. They released on album Calumet Rock Soul Funkateers and received much radio play in the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and France. The single “Keep the Funk Alive” is featured on Soul Unsigned Volume 2 which is distributed world-wide. Calumet backed up local valley artist Dennis Rowland and legendary jazz artist George Benson for several private functions throughout the course of their tenure.
You can catch Dan drumming around town with ColdShott and The Hurricane Horns, or the impromptu acoustic trio The Corporate Criminals, freelancing for other valley artists or working out in Los Angeles at Rourketown Studios whenever possible.
