Miraculously forged from a host of hobbyist bands, Mudhoney can lay claim to the accolade ‘godfathers of grunge’ more legitimately than most. The band comprises Mark Arm (vocals) and Steve Turner (guitar), plus Matt Lukin (bass) and Dan Peters (drums). Arm and Steve Turner were both ex-Green River, and ‘fuck’ band Thrown Ups. Lukin was ex-Melvins, Peters ex-Bundles Of Hiss. Mudhoney were the band that first imported the sound of Sub Pop to the UK's shores. In August 1988 they released the fabulous "Touch Me I'm Sick" single, followed shortly by their debut mini-LP. Contrary to popular belief, Steve Turner chose the name SUPERFUZZ BIGMUFF after his favourite effects pedals rather than any sexual connotation. Early support included the admiration of Sonic Youth who covered their first a-side while Mudhoney thrashed through SY's "Halloween" on the flip of a joint single. The first album proper was greeted as a comparitive disappointment by many, though there were obvious standout tracks ("When Tomorrow Hits"). The EP, BOILED BEEF AND ROTTING TEETH, contained a cover of the Dicks' "Hate The Police," demonstrating a good grasp of their heritage. They had previously demonstrated an ability to pick a sprightly tune when Spacemen 3's "Revolution" had appeared on the b-side to "This Gift." The band also hold the likes of Celibate Rifles and Billy Childish is high esteem. Members of the former have helped in production of the band, while on trips to England they have invited the latter to join as support. It was their patronage which led to Childish' Thee Headcoats releasing material on Sub Pop. Meanwhile, their shows were becoming less eye-catching, and progressively close to eye-gouging. Early gigs in London saw Arm invite the audience, every last one of them, up on to the stage, with the resultant near destruction of several venues. EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FUDGE was a departure, with Hammond organ intruding into the band's accomplished grunge formula. It demonstated their increasing awareness of the possibilities of their own songwriting. They are certainly not the wooden-headed noise dolts they are sometimes portrayed as: each comes from a comfortable middle class background, and while Arm is an English graduate, Turner has qualifications in anthropology. After much speculation Mudhoney became the final major players in the Sub Pop empire to go major when they moved to Warner Brothers, though many would argue that none of their efforts thus far have managed to reproduce the glory of "Touch Me I'm Sick" or other highlights of their independent days.

( Source: Music Central 1997 )