MUDHONEY: ST LUKE’S, GLASGOW

Mudhoney’s performance at Saint Luke’s in Glasgow was more than just a concert; it was a visceral experience, a revival of the subculture that helped define a generation in the early ’90s.

As one of the pioneers of grunge, a genre that fused punk’s raw edge with heavy metal’s distortion, the band played a crucial role in shaping Seattle’s music scene, a scene that eventually took the world by storm. For the audience that packed into the intimate space of this converted church, the night became a nostalgic yet fiercely alive testament to the staying power of the music and the attitude that grunge represented.

Formed in 1988, Mudhoney have always been the embodiment of a sound that is as much about emotional release as it is about defiance. Their self-titled debut LP, released in 1989 on the independent label Sub Pop, laid the groundwork for the grunge movement long before it became mainstream with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. While other bands from the scene have come and gone, Mudhoney have managed to carve out a career that spans more than three decades, never abandoning their gritty, DIY ethos and with a total of eleven studio albums, their longevity is a testament to their undying commitment to their craft, and their refusal to conform to the commercial pressures that causes so many of their peers to implode.

Tonight the buzz was palpable as soon as Steve Turner let loose on his fuzz-drenched guitar. His playing, so crucial to the Mudhoney sound, remains as intoxicating as ever, with its thick layers of distortion and unpredictable bursts of noise creating an almost primal connection with the crowd. Turner’s ability to blend harsh, abrasive tones with infectious riffs is what has always set Mudhoney apart, and it was on full display from the very first song. His guitar, like a well-worn weapon of sonic chaos, is a reminder of the untamed spirit that made grunge such a powerful force.

At the center of it all is Mark Arm, the band’s charismatic frontman, whose deep, raspy voice still carries the weight of the disenfranchised, nonconformist idealism that defines grunge. As he snarled through the lyrics, Arm’s presence filled the room with an energy that felt simultaneously reckless and controlled. His voice, weathered but powerful, became a vessel for the anger, frustration, and existential angst that Mudhoney’s music so often channels. Whether it’s the biting sarcasm or the raw vulnerability in his delivery, Mark Arm’s vocals make it clear that the band’s message is as relevant now as it was in the early ’90s.

The crowd, an eclectic mix of grunge veterans and newer generations of rock fans, responded in kind. As soon as the unmistakable riff of “Touch Me I’m Sick” tore through the speakers, the room seemed to erupt in a collective surge of energy. A mosh pit quickly formed, bodies crashing together in the kind of cathartic release that is emblematic of Mudhoney’s live shows. The repetitive chants of “Here comes sickness” resonated throughout the venue, a phrase that could easily be interpreted as a rallying cry for those in the audience who still feel a connection to the disillusionment that grunge once articulated so powerfully. The song, now over three decades old, still has the ability to invoke chaos and raw emotion, proving its timelessness as a grunge anthem.

Backing up Arm and Turner were the equally relentless Dan Peters on drums and Guy Maddison on bass. Peters, a fixture in the band since 1990, pounded his kit with a force that drove the band’s sound forward, his rhythms both urgent and unrelenting. Maddison, who joined the band in the early 2000s, added depth and power to the sound, his basslines throbbing through the floor and into the crowd. Together, the four members created a wall of sound that enveloped the room, making the performance feel as much like an assault on the senses as it was a celebration of a genre that refuses to die.

For a band that helped ignite the grunge movement, Mudhoney’s continued relevance in 2024 is a remarkable feat. While many of their contemporaries have disbanded or faded from public consciousness, Mudhoney’s refusal to compromise or chase commercial success has kept them both grounded and admired. They’ve always been a band that exists outside the mainstream, and that’s exactly where they’ve thrived. The show at Saint Luke’s was proof that they still have the same passion and drive that made them stand out in the first place. There’s no sense of nostalgia for the band—they’re not here to relive the past, but to show that grunge is not just a genre confined to history.

Their impact on the music industry is undeniable, and the performance in Glasgow serves as a reminder that their influence continues to ripple through the generations. As long as there are listeners who crave authenticity, raw emotion, and music that speaks to the disaffected and the misunderstood, Mudhoney will have a place in the cultural landscape. And judging by the intensity of the show, the connection they have with their audience, and the electricity that coursed through the air at Saint Luke’s, it’s clear that Mudhoney have no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Grunge may have been born in the ’90s, but Mudhoney’s performance proved that its spirit is still alive and kicking.

Words and picture: Rose McEnroe @rosemcenroephoto