Thundermug (band) became inactive, as of 1976. Band members then commenced various solo projects. Bill Durst joined a ZZ Top tribute band called Tres Hombres, and later was a member of The Brains, a band that released one album in 1980, on Falcon Records. Joe de Angelis became involved in production work, acting as assistant engineer on Meat Loaf's 1981 album, "Dead Ringer". In 1983, Durst released a solo album, "Call Billy", on Passport Records. Joe de Angelis contributed background vocals. In 1989, Durst released a cassette-only second solo album, "Father Earth", on the independent Cottage Records. At the initiative of former
Paul Tripp Owens on trumpet, Paquito D'Rivera on clarinet, Marco Katz on trombone, Chuck Folds on piano, John Thomas on percussion, and Oliver Jackson on drums. Paul Tripp is the narrator on this recording. Several of the same instrumental tracks appear on a 2006 release called "Play it Happy" on Koch Records that features Meredith Vieira on "Tubby the Tuba" and "Tubby the Tuba Meets a Jazz Band," and Paul Tripp on "The Story of Celeste". He also acted in other dramas on television, in the theater, and in movies. Among his television appearances were two 1962 roles on "Perry Mason", which