GREEN RIVER

Homebase: Seattle, WA.
Misc Notes: Green River was a Seattle rock band that, while having little commercial impact outside of its native area, proved to have significant influence on the genre later known as grunge, both with its own music and with the music its members would create in future bands including Pearl Jam and Mudhoney. Green River was formed in early 1984 by vocalist/guitarist Mark Arm, guitarist Steve Turner, drummer Alex Vincent and bassist Jeff Ament. Guitarist Stone Gossard then joined the band to allow Arm to concentrate on singing. Prior to joining, each member had played with punk and hardcore groups. The band took its name from the "Green River Killer," a serial killer who was infamous in Washington state. By late 1984, the band was playing shows in and around Seattle. The band began production in December 1984 on its first record, Come on Down, which is cited by many as the first grunge record. By the time the band finished the record in early 1985, Turner had left the group, citing his distaste with the rest of the band's heavy metal leanings -- he was replaced by Bruce Fairweather. In mid-1985, the band embarked on its first nationwide tour to promote Come on Down which is often considered the first album to be released by a "grunge" band, as it predated both the Deep Six compilation album and the Melvins' debut album.In June 1986, the band began production on its second EP, Dry as a Bone, with local producer Jack Endino. Dry as a Bone was finally released through Sub Pop in July 1987, a full year after it was recorded. It was the new label's first non-compilation release. Dry as a Bone was promoted by Sub Pop as "ultra-loose GRUNGE that destroyed the morals of a generation."Almost immediately following the release of Dry as a Bone, the group re-entered the studio to begin production on its first full-length album, Rehab Doll. Band in-fighting, though, took center stage over the music. A stylistic division developed between Ament and Gossard on one side, and Arm on the other. Ament and Gossard wanted to pursue a major-label deal, while Arm wanted to remain independent, viewing the duo as being too careerist. In October 1987 Ament, Gossard and Fairweather stated their desire to quit the band. Although the band members agreed to complete production of Rehab Doll during the next three months, Green River had by late October 1987 ceased as a band. Rehab Doll was released in June 1988.

[...HEAR Green River HERE...]

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