So do you ever sit there looking back at the last century and think ‘Grunge, what the f**k was that all about?’ Well it’s been 20 years since the river turned green! Singles my arse! This is a compilation of 20 rare tracks from some of the most influential bands to come out of the Seattle scene and certainly goes along way to answering that question. Chronicling the beginnings of Seattle’s underground rock movement from the mid 80s to early 90s, the album features seminal recordings from the pioneers of the grunge-era movement, including Green River, The Melvins, Malfunkshun, Screaming Trees, Mudhoney, Babes in Toyland, Tad, Skin Yard, The Gits, 7 Year Bitch and the Supersuckers, among many others. Widely considered the first grunge band, Green River (featuring Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, and Mudhoney’s Mark Arm) released their debut album COME ON DOWN in 1985, giving birth to a new movement in music that would continue for over a decade. You may scream, ‘What no STP, Soundgarden, AIC, Mother Love Bone,’ but this record is all about the birth, so let’s hope there is a volume II & III, because while this album will floor you with some stunning tracks, more volumes will surely blow you away!

Executive produced by Colin Cobb, founder and president of Livewire Recordings and produced by Grammy-nominated producer Ted Myers (Nuggets, Troubadours of British Folk), as well as Clark Humphrey (“The Real Seattle Music Story”), famed journalist and Seattle music historian. “Sleepless in Seattle: The Birth of Grunge” features a 16-page booklet of liner notes penned by Humphre, detailing the history of the Seattle music scene from the mid 80s to early 90s. “These bands are the unsung heroes,” said Cobb. “Although they didn’t become multi-platinum megastars, they went on to influence and form some of the biggest, chart topping groups in music history. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the birth of grunge music, we are thrilled to bring this significant historical compilation, which includes many bands whose music has not been made available for years, to fans everywhere. This project was a labour of love.”

Skin Yard guitarist and producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden) said, “Who would have thought, back when I was recording many of these bands on a shoestring that our whole scene was going to blow up and be a worldwide media phenomenon? Certainly not me! We were just trying to make the best rock and roll records we could with minimal resources.” Steve Moriarty, drummer, The Gits continued, “Seattle was awash with rock bands during the 90s. I don’t know if it was the drugs, coffee or the hype, but bands were moving to Seattle from all over the world. There were literally hundreds of bands playing regularly at dozens of venues around town. Only about one in ten of those bands were any good, but it was a very exciting scene. We had a great time playing in The Gits and we, without a doubt, were blessed to have one of the best rock singers who ever graced a stage, Mia Zapata.” Eddie Spaghetti, vocals/bass, Supersuckers comments, “The Seattle scene wouldn’t have been the same without the Supersuckers. No matter what the history books have to say on the subject!”

ABOUT LIVEWIRE RECORDINGS

Livewire Recordings is an Atlanta-based, full-service independent record label focused on up and coming rock acts, with an understanding that music is more than just a product. Current acts include singer/songwriter Ashton Allen who released his debut album “DEWDROPS” in September 2005. Livewire’s roster also includes Birmingham’s southern power pop group The Rewinds, who will release their debut album in 2006. www.livewirerecordings.net

Track Listing and reasons why they are on this album:

1) Happy Hunting Ground - Blackouts

Bassist Paul Barker and drummer Bill Rieflin would go on to join Ministry as the band developed their harder edged sound. Rieflin would also do a stint with Nine Inch Nails.

2) Mohawk Man - Mr. Epp & The Calculations

Three high school friends; Jo Smitty, Mark McLaughlin (aka Mark Arm) and Darren Morey (aka Darren Mor-X) get together and pay homage to their math teacher, Mr. Epp. Upon submitting a track to a local radio show, the band is subsequently dubbed “the worst band in the world” by KZAM radio. This track would go on to hit number one on Los Angeles’ radio station KROQ’s Rodney on the Rocks program.

3) Solid Action - U-Men

The U-Men remain as one of the initial Seattle bands that would go on to pioneer the “grunge” scene. The band was even honoured by the Butthole Surfers in their song “The O-Men.” The group became tired and disbanded following tours that didn’t yield enough money to support the band. Founder Tom Price eventually found out when he kept turning up to empty band rehearsals.

4) Come on Down - Green River

Green River is widely considered the first grunge band, releasing the first grunge record in 1985.This is the title track from that record. The band would release 3 albums, helping establish the Sub Pop label and the “grunge-rock” sound. Green River features Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Mother Love Bone/Pearl Jam, singer Mark Arm would go on to form (and front) Mudhoney.

5) Grinding Process - The Melvins

Olympia-based heavy underground punk band. Kurt Cobain began playing often with The Melvins’ bassist Dale Crover. Through the Melvins’ leader Buzz Osborne, Cobain met Chris Novoselic. The Melvins recorded several albums for Atlantic then signed with Mike Patton’s Ipecac label – joining Patton in his side projects Fantomas and Tomahawk.

6) With Yo’ Heart (Not Yo’ Hands) - Malfunkshun

80s Seattle band Malfunkshun, along with Green River, is often cited as founding fathers of the northwest grunge phenomenon of the early 90s. Singer Andy Wood would go on to form Mother Love Bone with Green River’s Gossard and Ament, before their debut albums release, Wood would die of a heroin overdose in 1990.

7) Orange Airplane - Screaming Trees

One of the first Seattle Bands to sign with a major label, fused 60s psychedelia and garage rock with 70s hard rock and 80s punk. This song is off their first studio release. Big hit was “Nearly Lost You” off the Singles movie soundtrack. Singer Mark Lanegan would go on to develop a solo career with several releases, as well as most recently becoming an honorary member of Queens of the Stone Age.

In ‘N’ Out of Grace - Mudhoney

Mudhoney was the first real success story for Seattle- based Sub Pop Records. The band included members of The Melvins and singer Mark Arm - previously a member of Mr. Epp & The Calculations, then Green River. Mudhoney has gone on to become influential and quite successful in their own right.

9) He’s My Thing - Babes in Toyland

One of the rare bands not formed in Seattle, but Minneapolis, this track is off the bands debut release Spanking Machine, produced by Jack Endino. Frontwoman Kat Bjelland previously performed in bands with Courtney Love and future L7 singer Jennifer Finch.

10) Giant Killer - Tad

One of the heaviest Seattle grunge bands and last Seattle band on Sub Pop’s grunge-era roster to sign with a major-label. This track is off their last Sub Pop release 8-Way Santa, produced by Butch Vig.

11) Crawl - Coffin Break

Coffin Break didn’t exactly fit the grunge era profile, instead, drawing most of their inspiration from punk. The band would go on to record several albums for Epitaph

12) Guilt Regret Embarrassment - Treepeople

The Doug Martsch led Seattle transplants, via Boise, ID, issued several albums and EPs – Martsch would go on to form Built to Spill.

13) Hallowed Ground - Skin Yard

Never signing to Sub Pop or becoming break out artists on their own in later years, Skin Yard was probably the most overlooked Seattle grunge band. Although, the band featured guitarist Jack Endino, whose future producer/engineer credits include working with 14 of the 20 bands featured on this compilation. Drummer Matt Cameron would leave to join Soundgarden and replacement Jason Finn would join Love Battery. Frontman Ben McMillan would go on to form Gruntruck.

14) Tribe - Gruntruck

Singer Ben McMillan’s post-Skin Yard project. Signed with Roadrunner and released two albums.

15) Second Skin - The Gits

The tragedy of Mia Zapata’s untimely passing, as the band were gearing up to release their second album and poised for breakout success, overshadows the bands contributions to the Seattle music scene, as well as Mia’s own inspiration to female artists and musicians including the all female aggressive punk rock of 7 Year Bitch.

16) Half Past You - Love Battery

Featuring ex-members of Skin Yard, U-Men, Green River and Mother Love Bone the band released several albums on Sub Pop and C/Z. Drummer Jason Finn would exit the group to drum for the Presidents of the United States of America.

17) Trip - Hammerbox

One of the last female-fronted grunge era bands would sign to A&M and released one record. Without the full support from A&M the album would tank, and group would be dropped and subsequently dissolve.

18) Losing Skin - Seaweed

Another success story from Seattle. The band initially began releasing their music on their own, then signed to Sub Pop. After several albums they were offered a deal with Hollywood Records. Their debut for Hollywood would receive rave reviews, but flop in the marketplace. The band was dropped and broke up, however reconvening for one last go around on Merge in 1999.

19) The Scratch - 7 Year Bitch

Initially inspired by The Gits, 7 Year Bitch would begin their career opening for them and releasing an album on C/Z. Guitarist Stefanie Sargent would pass away before its release. Following the death of The Gits vocalist Mia Zapata, the band would record a tribute titled “Viva Zapata!” from which this track was culled.

20) Creepy Jackalope Eye – The Supersuckers

Formed in Tucson, the Supersuckers recorded three country-influenced rock records and one rock-influenced country record for Sub Pop through the 90s. Currently, they are one of the only bands on the compilation still together recording and touring.