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.
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.
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.
The collection is open to the public by appointment.
Karl W. Mueller Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Gift of Karl Mueller, April 2024.
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.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Karl Mueller sang lead vocals for the ska band Arms Akimbo from December 1984 to June 1986.
Includes two 8 x 10 in. band photographs, three fliers and two business cards.
Five issues of The House Organ, newsletter of the Fabulous Rainbow Tavern; and two newsletters for Arms Akimbo fans and patrons.
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.
Eight fliers and handbills advertising Arms Akimbo performances
Newspaper clippings mentioning the band.
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. One poster, 17 x 22 in., advertising Green Monkey Records 1996 compilation, including Arms Akimbo; one poster, 18 x 24 in., for Celebrate Central America, a Festival of Song and Dance at First United Methodist Church, band list includes Arms Akimbo.
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.
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.
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
One poster, 8.5 x 14 in., for Art on Fire performance at Lincoln Arts Center.
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.
Karl Mueller sang lead vocals for the Moonpins from September 1987 to September 1988
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.
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."
Printouts and clipping from Accent Magazine and WWU Western Front, with references to Moonpins, 1987-1988.
Five posters, 11 x 17 in., for Moonpins performances at Buck's Tavern, Scoundrel's Lair, and V.U. Lounge.
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.
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.
45 rpm record in sleeve, by Karl Mueller, produced by his Fossil Fish Records company.
Music CD with 11 tracks.
Music CD with 10 tracks.
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.
One 11 x 17 in. poster advertising the release of Karl Mueller's single on Fossil Fish Records.
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.