While some of their appeal may rely on past glories, in these uncertain times Mudhoney have never seemed more necessary.
Yearly archives: 2018
36 posts
Now 50 Years Old 'The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society' Evokes An Arcadian Vision Of A Fast Disappearing England
Fuelled by scathing fury and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of scuzzy riffs, Digital Garbage sees Mudhoney frontman Mark Arm set his sights on post-truth America. Over the course of 11 tracks, Arm vents his spleen at everything from evangelical Christianity and gun control, to right-wing paranoia and the spirit-crushing status anxiety of social media. On opener Nerve Attack, Arm […]
Anniversary tours are always tricky, especially for a band with the cachet of the MC5. Reputations can be destroyed, legacies tarnished and there’s always the risk of being accused of “selling out”. Wayne Kramer has faced such a backlash before having previously reformed the band for a one-off show in 2003 with two surviving members as part of a […]
The suitably vampiric surroundings of Camden’s KOKO provides the perfect ambience for a diabolical double header, with Jon Spencer and The Melvins ghosting in for Halloween. Up first, despite being arguably the bigger name in the UK, Spencer is in explosive form. After a brief false start, for which keyboardist Sam Coomes generously assumes responsibility, the band really hits their stride. Powered by the […]
Like all the best guitarists, Jon Spencer‘s signature sound is instantly recognisable. Whether it be Pussy Galore, Boss Hog, Heavy Trash or the Blues Explosion, the moment a record comes on you know it’s him. There’s an electricity about his music you can practically taste – and it’s no different with his debut solo album – the optimistically titled Spencer Sings The […]
Hailed for their explosive live shows, Northside were an intrinsic part of the Madchester/baggy scene, which fused indie rock guitars with the dance beats of a flourishing underground rave culture. Signed to iconic Manchester label Factory, the band’s first single Shall We Take A Trip was promptly banned by the BBC, after the corporation took exception to its frank references to illicit drug-taking, particularly LSD. They […]
If you thought Brix and the Extricated were nowt but a glorified Fall tribute band, well think again.
Neville and Christine Sugary Staple have reunited with Specials‘ guitarist Roddy Byers, aka Roddy Radiation, for a new single and album. The single’s release was delayed following the fatal stabbing of Neville’s grandson Fidel Glasgow after an altercation outside a Coventry nightclub. A 23-year-old man has since been arrested over the death of Fidel, 21, who died in hospital after the […]