My favorite Northwest bands -- 5. Mudhoney

If any band can be pointed at as creating the "grunge" sound, it's Mudhoney. Now, that might be a horrible claim to fame for some, but, the dirty and distorted sound of Mudhoney was quite awesome. It was even more awesome when you compared it the overly slick productions of most 80's music. Mark Arm was and is the driving force behind Mudhoney.

He had his start in the early 80's art/punk band Mr. Epp and the Calculations (check out the awesome Mohawk Man by them),

Mohawk Man http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuSsPusKi58

then Green River (along with founding members of Mother Love Bone/Pearl Jam) on the aforementioned Deep Six compilation, before finally forming Mudhoney.

Hangin' Tree http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd6ZvfIreNU

It didn't take long for people to take notice of Mudhoney when the snarling single Touch Me I'm Sick on the brand new Sub Pop label.

Touch Me I'm Sick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx30kfiCe6A

Most assuredly, Mudhoney did more to create the environment for future success that Nirvana rode to the top.