The Mudhoney Big Day Out 2014 sideshows have been announced, officially confirming the dates, tickets, and supports for the grunge-era survivors after their sideshow plans were leaked earlier this week by the band’s lable, Sub Pop Records.
The four-piece, who return to the Big Day Out lineup for the first time since playing the festival’s 1993 edition, have announced headline sideshows, performing at venues in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney in January 2014
The Seattle legends of dirty rock’n’roll, certainly seem to love Australia. Even after decades of making the long haul flight southwards they can’t seem to get enough of our country, having become habitual visitors in recent years.
They were part of a high billing slot on the 2011 Meredith Music Festival lineup for its 21st birthday bash, along with sideshows, and and were last in the country for last year’s Splendour In The Grass festival, playing a single sideshow in Melbourne, and return for the Big Day Out 2014 off the back of their ninth and latest studio album, Vanishing Point.
The album, the band’s first in over half a decade, was released in April and coincided with the 25th anniversary of the band as well as Sub Pop, the indie label that played an integral part in shaping Seattle’s grunge scene and bringing it to the wider world, including fellow bands (and Big Day Out alumni) Dinosaur Jr and Nirvana.
Even though Mudhoney’s veteran status and vast back catalogue – on top, of course, of their ferocious live show – has seen them become stalwarts of the festival scene, it’s in the more dingy confines of pubs and clubs
where Mudhoney are really in their element. Handsome Tours is offering just such a chance on the band’s eight visit to Australia.
Forming back in 1998 from members of respected Pacific Northwest bands Green River and the Melvins, Mudhoney – named after a 1965 flick by smut king Russ Meyers – soon signed to burgeoning indie behemoth Sub Pop which is still their home after all these years.
They became one of the most recognisable faces of the grunge revolution, especially once bigger fish such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam were co-opted into more commercial waters. Mudhoney’s early single ‘Touch Me, I’m Sick’ became a call-to-arms for the ocean of disaffected and disenfranchised youth for whom grunge was an all-encompassing panacea, and that song – and others of its ilk from the band’s early canon – have lost none of their power in the intervening years.
Being left to their own devices in the alternative realms suited Mudhoney down to the ground as their commercial aspirations were virtually non-existent, the band completely content to keep making the music they wanted to hear rather than pandering to any fads or prevailing trends.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the best rock acts in the business do their thing in the sweaty surrounds where they forged their fearsome reputation. Come and see the legends in the flesh!
Mudhoney Big Day Out 2014 Sideshows
Presented by Handsome Tours, supported by Triple R
Brisbane: Saturday 18th January, The Zoo
Support from feedtime and Gravel Samwidge
Melbourne: Wednesday 22nd January, Corner Hotel
Support from Kim & Leanne and The Paul Kidney Experience
Sydney: Wednesday 29th January, Oxford Art Factory
Support from feedtime
Handsome Tours pre sale from 10am AEDT Nov 27. General from 9am AEDT Nov 29: www.handsometours.com
Mudhoney will also appear nationally at Big Day Out
Big Day Out 2014 Dates & Venues
Friday 17th January ~ Western Springs, Auckland*
Sunday 19th January ~ Metricon Stadium & Carrara Parklands, Gold Coast
Friday 24th January ~ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Sunday 26th January ~ Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney
Friday 31st January ~ Bonython Park, Adelaide**
Sunday 2nd February ~ Claremont Showgrounds, Perth**
*For New Zealand Big Day Out 2014 lineup and ticketing details, please refer towww.bigdayout.com and choose AUCKLAND
**Subject to council approval
