Mudanzas

Mudanzas was formed in 1975 by founder members Martin Greenwood (keyboards and vocals) and Frank Szakaley (guitar guitar and vocals) who were about 20 yrs old at the time and later joined by Tony Petrillo (drums) and Mike Collinge (bass and vocals) who were 16 and 17 respectively. The band was based in Newhey.

The Bands name Mudanzas was taken from a 1973 album by English rock band Stray. They were a prog rock band with influences from Genesis, Purple, Uriah Heep, Camel, but all material was original and written collectively by the band. They started rehearsing in Frank Szakaley's bedroom five nights a week leaving weekends free for drink and spliffs.

First gigs were played in the local area at venues such as the Moulders Arms in Shaw, later performing regularly at venues such as The Boundary in Royton, the Seven Stars in Heywood, the Phoenix in the University Precinct in Manchester, the Fford Grene in Leeds and the Bank Hall Miners in Burnley.

A notable gig on 10th September 1976 was with Slaughter and the Dogs and Wild Ram (later Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds) at the Wythenshawe Forum described as a very loud and packed out gig. Tony Wilson was the compere who introduced the band as "Mudantas".

In the summer of 1977 Mudanzas played the Deeply Vale festival which they described as awesome.

The band did some recording at Pennine Sound Studios in Oldham run by Paul Adzed and John Needham and got airplay on Piccadilly Radio (now KEY103.) They also played at UMIST`s Battle of the Bands one year and had write ups in local papers and a small feature in Melody Maker.

Mudanzas are re-forming for the Deeply Vale 40th anniversary weekend festival at the Heywood Civic Hall on the weekend of 17th and 18th September 2016 along with many other bands who also played at the Deeply Vale Festivals.