Karl W. Mueller Collection, 1984-2023
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Mueller, Karl W.
- Title
- Karl W. Mueller Collection
- Dates
- 1984-2023 (inclusive)19842023
1984-1988 (bulk)19841988 - Quantity
- 2 boxes plus 4 oversize folders
- Collection Number
- 2024.18
- Summary
- Collection of materials related to Karl Mueller's involvement in the music scene in Seattle and vicinity, mostly from 1984 to 1988, including photographs, posters, ephemera, and audio materials
- Repository
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Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org - Access Restrictions
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The collection is open to the public by appointment.
- Languages
- English.
Biographical Note
Karl Mueller was born in Bellingham, Washington, and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, where he studied to be a fish biologist. After college, Mueller stayed in Seattle to try and make it in the music industry. He performed vocals in the ska band Arms Akimbo from December 1984 to June 1986; backing vocals for the band Art on Fire from Fall 1986 to Spring 1987; and vocals for The Moonpins from Fall 1987 to Fall 1988. In 1987, he released a single, Davy Jones Locker/White-Line...Right?!, on his own label, Fossil Fish Records. In the Fall of 1988 he moved to Coos Bay, Oregon, to take a job as a fish culturist, though he would continue to be involved in music, and recorded two CDs with the band Occam's Razor in the 2000s.
Content Description
The collection consists of materials documenting Karl W. Mueller's involvement in the music scene in Seattle, mostly from 1984-1988. Materials include photographs, posters, and other ephemera from Mueller's time performing as a vocalist in the bands Arms Akimbo (1984-1986), Art on Fire (1986-1987), and The Moonpins (1987-1988); and materials related to his record label Fossil Fish and his involvement with BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) in the late 1980s. The collection also includes three thumb drives with audio files of music from Arms Akimbo, Art on Fire, and Moonpins, and 2 CD recordings Mueller made with the band in Occam's Razor in the 2000s. Four volumes af the self-published "Chasing Bowie, the Rock & Roll Years of Karl W. Mueller" document Mueller's experience in his own words.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Karl W. Mueller Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Administrative Information
Location of Collection
15b.1.10 (boxes) ; 12b.3.4 (oversize folders)Acquisition Information
Gift of Karl Mueller, April 2024.
Processing Note
The original order of materials was retained. Donor separated most materials into nine envelopes, labeled on the front with contents. During processing, materials were removed from folders and placed in archival folders, retaining original envelope groupings. Oversize materials are foldered separately. One large three-ring binder was retained intact.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Band ephemera, 1984-1988
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Arms Akimbo, 1984-1986
Karl Mueller sang lead vocals for the ska band Arms Akimbo from December 1984 to June 1986.
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Description: Promotional materials
Includes two 8 x 10 in. band photographs, three fliers and two business cards.
Dates: 1984-1986Container: Box folder 1/1 -
Description: Newsletters
Five issues of The House Organ, newsletter of the Fabulous Rainbow Tavern; and two newsletters for Arms Akimbo fans and patrons.
Dates: 1985-1986Container: Box folder 1/2-3 -
Description: Photographs
Five black and white proof sheets and seven color photographs. The photos are identified on the original envelope as "Live at Fabulous Rainbow, Seattle, September 1985, " "Live at Backstage, Ballard, March 1986," Live at Buck's Tavern, Bellingham, June 1986," Live at Owl Café, Ballard, Halloween, 1985," and "Live at Omni Room/Gorilla Gardens, February 1985." However, photos have not been identified as to which event is depicted. Also includes 2 photocopies from a book, with information about types of Japanese theatrical face painting, related to one of the color band photographs.
Dates: 1985-1986Container: Box folder 1/4 -
Description: Fliers and handbills
Eight fliers and handbills advertising Arms Akimbo performances
Dates: 1985-1986Container: Box folder 1/5 -
Description: Clippings
Newspaper clippings mentioning the band.
Dates: 1985-1986Container: Box folder 1/6 -
Description: Posters
Three posters, 11 x 17 in., for Arms Akimbo performances at the Bedrock Lounge, the Fabulous Rainbow, and the Hall of Fame; plus one poster with a handwritten set list for a performance at Owl Café, 8/17/85
Dates: 1985-1986Container: Oversize box B2 -
Description: 2024.18.19: Audio files
Thumb drive with recordings of Arms Akimbo performances. Title of digital folder: ArmsAkimboCassettes_1985-1986. Contains 4 subfolders of various Arms Akimbo performances; each folder contains audio files and one PDF file of liner notes.
Files may be accessed for research; reproduction is restricted.
Dates: 1985-1986
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Art on Fire, 1986-1987
Karl Mueller sang backing vocals in Art on Fire during Fall 1986 and Winter/Spring 1987. Note by donor on envelope: Band leader: Steve Freeborn, owner/developer of OK Hotel with his wife Tia Matthies.
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Description: Ephemera
Includes a flier for Art on Fire at the Ditto; invitation to wedding of Steve Freeborn and Tia Matthies, and a copy of their vows, February 21, 1987; postcard for Variant Cause album release party; small card for Halloween show at OK Hotel; Karl Mueller Pacific Science Center "Identification" photo booth card, 1987
Dates: 1986-1987Container: Box folder 1/7 -
Description: Poster
One poster, 8.5 x 14 in., for Art on Fire performance at Lincoln Arts Center.
Dates: circa 1986Container: Oversize box B2 -
Description: 2024.18.20: Audio files
Thumb drive with one folder of recordings of Art on Fire performances. Folder audio files and one PDF file of liner notes.
Files may be accessed for research; reproduction is restricted.
Dates: 1986-1987
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Moonpins, 1987-1988
Karl Mueller sang lead vocals for the Moonpins from September 1987 to September 1988
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Description: Promotional materials
Two black and white promotional photographs of the band, approximately 8 x 10 in.; three 8.5 x 11 in. fliers; one postcard promoting the Moonpins Demo EP; and one business card.
Dates: 1987-1988Container: Box folder 1/8 -
Description: Photographs
Eighteen 4" x 6" color snapshots of the band performing. Original envelope was titled "The Moonpins, live at Buck's Tavern, Bellingham, Spring 1988 and Live at the Owl Café, Ballard/Seattle, Feb. 1988."
Dates: 1988Container: Box folder 1/9 -
Description: Clippings
Printouts and clipping from Accent Magazine and WWU Western Front, with references to Moonpins, 1987-1988.
Dates: 1987-1988Container: Box folder 1/10 -
Description: Posters
Five posters, 11 x 17 in., for Moonpins performances at Buck's Tavern, Scoundrel's Lair, and V.U. Lounge.
Dates: circa 1987Container: Oversize box B2 -
Description: 2024.18.21: Audio files
Thumb drive with recordings of Moonpins performances. Contains five subfolders, each containing audio files and one PDF file of liner notes.
Files may be accessed for research; reproduction is restricted.
Dates: 1987-1988
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Other music endeavors, 1987-1988
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Description: 2024.18.11: Fossil Fish Records and solo career binder
Binder on Karl Mueller's solo career and establishment of his record company Fossil Fish Records. The spine of binder is labeled "Davy Jones' Locker," which is the title of the song on one side of his self-published 45 rpm record. The binder includes brochures and booklet about the music performing rights organization BMI and Mueller's agreement and correspondence with BMI; correspondence with radio stations; ephemera related to Mueller's record company Fossil Fish Records and his 45 rpm record Davy Jones Locker/White-Line...Right?!; approx 144 small black and white posed photographs of Mueller; and copies of various local and national music publications.
Dates: 1987-1988Container: Box 1 -
Description: 2024.18.16: Davy Jones Locker/White-Line...Right?!
45 rpm record in sleeve, by Karl Mueller, produced by his Fossil Fish Records company.
Dates: 1987Container: Box 1 -
Description: 2024.18.17: "Coupling," Karl Mueller with Occam's Razor
Music CD with 11 tracks.
Dates: 2003Container: Box 2 -
Description: 2024.18.18: "Town Crier," Karl Mueller with Occam's Razor
Music CD with 10 tracks.
Dates: 2005Container: Box 2 -
Description: 2024.18.20: Audio files
Thumb drive includeing one folder of various recordings related to Karl Mueller's songs Davy Jones Locker and White Line...Right?. Each folder includes audio files and one PDF file of liner notes. The thumb drive also includes an audio file and liner notes related to Mueller's work on a demo with the band En Route.
Files may be accessed for research; reproduction is restricted.
Dates: 1987Container: Box 1 -
Description: Poster
One 11 x 17 in. poster advertising the release of Karl Mueller's single on Fossil Fish Records.
Dates: circa 1987Container: Oversize box B2
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Description: "Chasing Bowie" book series4 volumes
Four volumes of "Chasing Bowie, the Rock & Roll Years of Karl W. Mueller," a self-published series of autobiographical books about the music career of Karl Mueller, produced between 2021 and 2023.
May be used in-person for reference; reproduction and quoting is restricted.
Dates: 2021-2023Container: Box 2
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Bands--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Music---Washington (State)--Seattle
- Singers
Personal Names
- Mueller, Karl W.--Archives
Corporate Names
- Broadcast Music, Inc.
Form or Genre Terms
- Ephemera
- Photographs
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Fossil Fish Records (creator)
