Mudhoney / Unnatural Helpers / Barton Carroll

The roadworks near the train station are creating a backlog of cars trying to get into Leeds on this busy gig night. Choosing to save Eddie Hitler and the Bad Shepherds (who are playing down the road this evening) for another day we decide to go check out grunge legends Mudhoney, as they do the rounds less often (although saying that they did play this small city last October, privileged we are!).



We arrive to hear the end song of a solo guy called Barton Carroll, playing some beautiful American folk rock music on guitar and harmonica. The place is nearly empty for his set, a shame really, and the only guys down front were too drunken punks asking him questions that no one could decipher. I felt a little sorry for the guy, but loved his music and talented guitar plucking.

Next up are a band that truly blew me away. Unnatural Helpers, along with Carroll, hail from Seattle, and apart from drummer Dean Whitmore, has a rolling membership, with many musicians from Seattle taking roles in this band now and again. The pace is fast (many songs are little over a minute each, their second album 'Cracked Love & Other Drugs' hosts 15 tracks in 25 minutes) and more punk rock than garage rock, with a heavy hint of dirty grunge thrown in too.



Dean Whitmore, as lead singer and pace maker, looks really ill with flu (his band mates confirm this) and still puts in his all for this show, belting the bands original short songs out with everything he's got, along with the rest of the four piece band. As well as a couple of Who covers, tracks 'Sunshine / Pretty Girls', 'Girl In The Window' and 'She Was Your Girlfriend' show witty lyrics, similar to something Mudhoney's Mark Arm would write (they appear to be very pleased to be on this tour with them). One of my new favourite live bands…

Mudhoney, who were watching the Unnatural Helpers from the side of the stage throughout, now appear to perform a long and unforgettable set. Hitting the crowd right in the privates from the off with classics 'Into The Drink', 'Suck You Dry' and 'You Got It (Keep It Outta My Face)'. The mosh pit is manic but friendly enough; one guy helps shield my camera from falling drunkards and flying beer; much appreciated kind stranger! The hits continue… 'Sweet Young Thing (Ain't Sweet No More)', 'Touch Me I'm Sick' and 'In 'N' Out Of Grace' all in one set.



Mark Arm gets a full beer thrown over his guitar, which he isn't happy about but after cleaning it off carries on as normal, saying "what a waste of lovely beer". The guys look to be loving it. They say they like playing Leeds, and Yorkshire in particular, joking "We've come for your Terriers!". Arm leaves the soddened guitar to the side for a few tracks like the new 'The Lucky Ones', dancing around the stage like a man possessed, similar in style to Iggy Pop, bending and twisting towards the crowd. He's back on the guitar for the encore after a seemingly lengthy set; the band with just as much gusto as they had in the first song, finishing a triumphant night on the Dicks cover 'Hate The Police'. Let's hope they enjoyed it enough to return to our fair city next year…

Into The Drink
Suck You Dry
You Got It (Keep It Outta My Face)
Blinding Sun
So Much I Need
Sweet Young Thing (Ain't Sweet No More)
No One Has
Judgement, Rage, Retribution and Thyme
Good Enough
Touch Me I'm Sick
Inside Job
FDK (Fearless Doctor Killers)
Hard-On For War
When Tomorrow Hits
In 'N' Out Of Grace
The Open Mind
I'm Now
Next Time
The Lucky Ones
Tales of Terror

Who You Driving Now?
Here Comes Sickness
Hate The Police

FUTURE GIGS

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