“Mud Ride is a rollercoaster of a music memoir, at turns clear—eyed and madcap, quirky, surprising, and always propulsive. Turner offers us an insider’s account of the genesis of the Seattle sound and ethos, full of humor, pathos, and the sort of historical nuggets music fans cherish.”
―Jonathan Evison, New York Times bestselling author of Small World
MUD RIDE
A Messy Trip Through the Grunge Explosion
By Mudhoney Lead Guitarist
Steve Turner
With Adam Tepedelen
Foreword by Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard
On-sale: June 13, 2023
A down-and-dirty chronicle of the birth and evolution of the Seattle grunge scene—from amateur skate parks and underground hardcore clubs to worldwide phenomenon—as told by one of its founding fathers and the lead guitarist of legendary alternative rock band Mudhoney.
“I’m a Seattle musician who got started playing in punk bands in the early ‘80s—a few years before the music scene blew up. And I kept playing in a cult band for over 30 years,” says Mudhoney lead guitarist Steve Turner. “My book covers three parts: the early days, the glory days, and the post-glory days that still see many of us playing, raising kids, and earning a living.”
Turner’s MUD RIDE: A Messy Trip Through the Grunge Explosion (Chronicle Prism, June 13) is an exceedingly joyful promenade through the Seattle grunge scene of the late ‘80s, early ‘90s—it’s clear everyone was having a great time, and that infectious energy jumps off the page as readers travel on a nostalgic journey with Turner through the basements that shaped the sound to the underground flophouses to the sold-out arenas with screaming fans. Along the way are stories about the key moments, musicians, and albums from grunge’s beginnings to its comedown, told by someone who was there for it all.
“Seattle was a small, incestuous scene,” writes Turner. “Though we made an ungodly racket and created chaos wherever we played, we weren’t reviled and we could pull a good crowd, including plenty of our musical peers…some of our shenanigans may have prevented return engagements at certain clubs, but people kept showing up to see us. I think it was an appreciation of the fun we were having.”
Written by Turner, lead guitarist of Mudhoney, a foundational grunge band that inspired musical icons from Kurt Cobain to Sonic Youth, MUD RIDE features a foreword by Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard as well as never-before-seen photographs and grunge memorabilia throughout. Turner doesn’t shy away from any topic—nothing is off limits—but the tone of the book is one of enormous possibility, innovation, and a deep sense of humanity and relationships.
STEVE TURNER is the guitarist and cofounder of seminal Seattle grunge band Mudhoney. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Praise for MUD RIDE
“Mud Ride is a rollercoaster of a music memoir, at turns clear—eyed and madcap, quirky, surprising, and always propulsive. Turner offers us an insider’s account of the genesis of the Seattle sound and ethos, full of humor, pathos, and the sort of historical nuggets music fans cherish.”
―Jonathan Evison, New York Times bestselling author of Small World
“Honest, smart, wry, and filled with a deep musical detail and analysis you won’t get from anyone else.”
―Charles R. Cross, New York Times bestselling author of Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain
“Mud Ride is an essential document―a history of the aesthetic, style, and language of what came to be known as grunge from one of its spiritual and intellectural founders.”
―Greg Vandy, KEXP Seattle host and author of 26 Songs in 30 Days
“Mud Ride is a roller coaster of a music memoir . . . An insider’s account of the genesis of the Seattle sound and ethos, full of humor, pathos, and the sort of historical nuggets music fans cherish.”―Jonathan Evison, New York Times bestselling author of Small World—Kory Floyd, PhD, author of The Loneliness Cure
Author Appearances
Steve Turner is available for events in the Pacific Northwest as well as in New York City. He is also available for virtual appearances anywhere.
PORTLAND
Powell’s
Tuesday, June 13, 7:00p.m.
SEATTLE
Elliott Bay
Wednesday, June 14, 7:00p.m.
Third Place Books
Thursday, June 15, 7:00p.m.
LOS ANGELES
Book Soup
Tuesday, June 20, 7:00p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO
Green Apple Books
Wednesday, June 21, 7:00p.m.
For more information, see Chronicle Books
A down-and-dirty chronicle of the birth and evolution of the Seattle grunge scene—from backyard skateboard ramps and underground hardcore clubs to worldwide phenomenon—as told by one of its founding fathers and lead guitarist of legendary alternative rock band, Mudhoney.
In the late 80s and early 90s, Steve Turner and his friends—Seattle skate punks, hardcore kids, and assorted misfits—started forming bands in each other’s basements and accidentally created a unique sound that spread far beyond their once-sleepy city. Mud Ride offers an inside look at the tight-knit grunge scene, the musical influences and experiments that shaped the grunge sound, and the story of Turner’s bands, Green River and Mudhoney, which went from underground flophouse shows to selling out stadiums with Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Including stories about the key moments, musicians, and albums from grunge’s beginnings to its come-down from the highs of global success and stardom, this is the first account of the musical phenomenon that took over the world from someone who was there for it all.
Written by Steve Turner, lead guitarist of Mudhoney, a foundational grunge band that inspired musical icons from Kurt Cobain to Sonic Youth, Mud Ride features a foreword by Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard and never-before-seen photographs and grunge memorabilia throughout. Take a seat and ride through the messy and muddy grunge scene that grew from the basements of the Northwest and went on to circle the globe.
MUST HAVE FOR FANS: For cult fans of Mudhoney and all things Seattle grunge, this is the perfect book to add to your collection. Turner helped put Sub Pop Records on the map, a label that launched bands like Soundgarden and more. Mudhoney was also one of the first American grunge bands to tour Europe and the UK, laying the groundwork for the worldwide explosion of grunge. Learn more about the ins and outs of the birth of grunge and immerse yourself in ’80s and ’90s Seattle.
A GREAT GIFT FOR MUSIC LOVERS: For the aspiring musician or anyone wanting to learn more about music history, this is an illuminating look into grunge and Seattle bands that have gone on to become world-famous.
AN ESSENTIAL ROCK HISTORY BOOK: An amazing gift for readers of Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain’s Please Kill Me, John Doe and Tom DeSavia’s Under the Big Black Sun, and Michael Azerrad’s Our Band Could Be Your Life. Anyone wanting to learn more about the history of grunge will delight in this great tell-all read.
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