Sep 1, 2026 · 15 min · 11 segments
Mudhoney guitarist and founding member Steve Turner called up ahead of the band’s return to New Zealand this October, to talk about Mudhoney’s beginnings in Seattle, the scene that spawned bands like…
Steve TurnerGuestBecHostMudhoney, we're right there at the beginning of the Seattle Sound releasing Touch Me I'm Sick back in 1988 before grunge exploded around the world.
They haven't played New Zealand since a big day out in 2014, but that's about to change with five shows around the country starting this October.
Kia ora, welcome.
hi.
So like I was saying, it's been 12 years since you were last here.
Well, we're really excited about it in particular because we've only ever been to Auckland.
So, you know, New Zealand has a special place in our hearts because so much music has come out of there.
You know, I'm talking Flying Nun and all that stuff that really I paid attention to a lot in the 80s.
And speaking of Christchurch, I mean, it is different for you, this tour, because, you know, last time you were here, you're doing a massive festival at Big Day Out.
But on this tour, you are doing that more intimate kind of packed tour.
club show and I know that Christchurch sold out so fast they had to upgrade the venues elsewhere.
I haven't been paying attention my girlfriend told me that some of them were selling really well and that at least one show was sold out but I you know I don't pay attention to that stuff.
Well do you still prefer playing to those more sweaty high-energy rooms where you can see the whites of the audience's eyes over those massive festival stages?
And we're quite aware of our position in the whole world, right? But it is fun to do that.
Mudhoney, we're right there at the beginning of the Seattle Sound releasing Touch Me I'm Sick back in 1988 before grunge exploded around the world.
They haven't played New Zealand since a big day out in 2014, but that's about to change with five shows around the country starting this October.
Kia ora, welcome.
hi.
So like I was saying, it's been 12 years since you were last here.
Well, we're really excited about it in particular because we've only ever been to Auckland.
So, you know, New Zealand has a special place in our hearts because so much music has come out of there.
You know, I'm talking Flying Nun and all that stuff that really I paid attention to a lot in the 80s.
And speaking of Christchurch, I mean, it is different for you, this tour, because, you know, last time you were here, you're doing a massive festival at Big Day Out.
But on this tour, you are doing that more intimate kind of packed tour.
club show and I know that Christchurch sold out so fast they had to upgrade the venues elsewhere.
I haven't been paying attention my girlfriend told me that some of them were selling really well and that at least one show was sold out but I you know I don't pay attention to that stuff.
Well do you still prefer playing to those more sweaty high-energy rooms where you can see the whites of the audience's eyes over those massive festival stages?
And we're quite aware of our position in the whole world, right? But it is fun to do that.
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