It was a little worrying when they kicked off with five songs from their 2008 album The Lucky Ones, which was kind of weak, not just because the material isn't great but also because Mark Arm decided to act like a frontman lead singer and let the band back him up. When Arm finally strapped on his guitar, then that Mudhoney sound was back and they immediately started going through their entire back catalogue, covering both their slower dirge ballads and punky upbeat tunes, really showing that the years of touring has stuck with them, because the set just got more and more energetic as it went along, the audience having a blast slamming and stage-diving. It reminded me of when I saw the band at a venue above The Palladium back in the early '90s, but this time, one of their roadies took it upon himself to grab the stage divers and drag them backstage (who knows where they went?).... when Mark took it upon himself to dissuade a stagediver with a face-full of crotch... well, let's just say they won't be doing that again. Original Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters was also in fine form, getting a number of showcase drum breaks, and Guy Maddison did a good job keeping up with him on bass. "Touch Me I'm Sick" was played late in the main set, but paled in comparison with "In 'n' Out of Grace"... the encore was perfect!
Bowery Ballroom @
- NEW YORK @
, NY @
- Sat, Sep 4, 2010 @
Favorite moment: In 'n' Out of Grace kicked ass but the encore which included Who Are You Driving Now? and Here Comes Sickness drove home how th @
Opening act(s): Pissed Jeans @