Angry Citizen: Mudhoney Live @ Knitting Factory 11/18/06

November 27, 2006

Mudhoney Live @ Knitting Factory 11/18/06

After being entertained by Cross and Marr and disappointed by Brock, I headed over to the Knitting Factory to check out "grunge" legends, Mudhoney. Mudhoney, with all their critical acclaim, have never been able to crack the mainstream in a sustained way. Maybe there was a minute or two in 1993 when they were vaguely recognizable. Two months ago, Alice in Chains played New York, minus Layne Staley, and sold out two nights at a 2000 seat venue. Meanwhile, Mudhoney is playing small 300 capacity clubs. On its face, something appears wrong with this equation, but the guys in Mudhoney don't seem to care. They appear intent, and content with plugging away and carrying the banner for the early 1990's rock movement. Mark Arm and Steve Turner, who have over twenty years of experience playing together, were completely in sync on stage. You had the feeling they were improvising with ease as opposed to playing by rote. Lead singer, Mark Arm, nailed all screams, yelps and barks, and the band, minus founding member and bassist, Matt Lukin, were no worse for the wear. Guy Maddison stood in Lukin's shoes admirably and with drummer, Dan Peters, constructed a groove Steve Turner could destroy (in a good way) with solos. Mudhoney's Black Sabbath/Stooges influence was loud and clear during Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More. Their punk influences came out during Suck You Dry and a cover of the The Dicks, Hate the Police. On saturday night, pounding drums, thudding/rapid fire riffs and waves of feedback was the norm, not the exception.