Mudhoney, Cull @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide 3/5/2023
Seattle rockers Mudhoney were back in the country for their first tour here since 2014 and they really did live up to their reputation of being the elder-statesmen that have influenced so many in a career that has spanned over three decades and is still going stronger than ever. In the country for the best part of April notching up fourteen shows Adelaide was the third to last stop on the tour. If Lion Arts Factory was not sold out it would have been extremely close.
It was packed early with Adelaide openers Cull charging through their set with must gusto. There’s plenty to like about this band who really did bring their A-game and rose to the occasion. Plenty of great songs in their set from the likes of God Forgives, I Don’t and She Knows then throw in the likes of Three Time Loser, Available for One Night Only and Spittin’ the Dummy to suggest they really have something. Be sure to check them out when they gig around town.
Mudhoney! It was definitely an elite performance and when you are as good as Mudhoney nothing else matters. There was no fancy production as their works from thirty plus years did all the talking. Hot damn! This was one of those shows that people will be talking about for a long time to come. “Do you remember seeing Mudhoney play at Lion Arts Factory in 2023?” Damn straight, I was there and they rocked. Casually taking the stage just after ten o’clock Mudhoney powered their way through When Tomorrow Hits followed by In ‘n’ Out of Grace with an awesome drum solo from Dan Peters. Front man Mark Arm didn’t have a lot to say during the show apart from occasional thank you except to leave the crowd be in awe of their mastery.
This tour was very much about recently released album Plastic Eternity with Mark Arm saying “you don’t know how much that means to me” in response to new tune Little Dogs. New tunes, old tunes – both were as equally powerful and commanded attention. You Got It (Keep It Outta My Face) and Move Under were fantastic and the response to the first big single Suck You Dry was off the hook. The band sounded great and looked good as the ploughed through their set list. The highlights reel for me would include the likes of Judgement, Rage, Retribution and Thyme, Tom Herman’s Hermits, Here Comes the Flood and F.D.K. (Fearless Doctor Killers).
The run home to compete the main set was equally rampaging with Paranoid Core, 21st Century Pharisees and Bad Actor. The band could have walked off and not returned and we would of been more than satisfied with our fill. Responding the adulation and crowd noise for an encore they obliged and it doesn’t get any better with classics in the ilk of If I Think and Here Comes Sickness. Great show, if you didn’t go you really did miss out.
Live Review By Rob Lyon