Sites of The Seattle Sound

The Metropolis

Kurt Cobain would often accompany Buzz Osborne and Matt Lukin (Both of the Melvins) and Krist Novoselic (future Nirvana bassist) on their weekend trips from the logging town of Aberdeen to Seattle, where Friday and Saturday nights were often spent at the Metropolis club, a rare Seattle venue that permitted under 21s. Under 21 venues were rare due to many bars been dependent on liquor licenses and the turn-over this brought to stay afloat. Consequently locating spaces where this age group could congregate to express themselves was rare. Mark Arm and Steve Turner played here as members of Mr Epp and the Calculations. Indeed; this was described by Mark Arm himself in a letter to Desperate Times zine: “I hate Mr Epp! Pure Grunge, Pure Noise! Pure Shit!”. It was at this club, that Jeff Ament had a hardcore trio “Deranged Diction” and they supported Husker Du. They got paid $25 and 2 joints. In 1984, Ament would join Arm and Turner, plus Stone Gossard and Alex Shumway to form a band named Green River.

Changing Form

Following the demise of Green River in late 1987, Gossard, Ament and Fairweather formed the short-lived covers band Lords of the Wasteland with Malfunkshun front man Andrew Wood. Mark Arm and Steve Turner would later form Mudhoney. Andrew Wood became most known for his time fronting Mother Love Bone. Wood died of a heroin overdose in March of 1990. His band mates, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, went on to form Pearl Jam. On the back of the Mother Love Bone compilation album, there’s a shot of lead singer, Andy Wood standing in front of the Changing Form, a steel sculpture located at the Kerry Park. The area also has some stunning views of the Seattle skyline.

Also of note is that Chris Cornell (Of Soundgarden) and Pearl Jam formed the band, Temple Of The Dog in Andy’s honour. The name Temple of the Dog is derived from the opening lyrics of the Mother Love Bone song "Man of Golden Words", "I want to show you something, like joy inside my heart, seems I been living in the temple of the dog".

The Off Ramp Cafe

This venue is known today as EL CORAZON. It was a significant locale within the music scenes of the Pacific North West, especially it’s place in what many refer to as the Seattle sound. Deeply etched in the memories of many in the local music scene was Pearl Jam playing their first show here on October 22, 1990. On this date they performed under the name Mookie Blaylock (reference to the NBA player). For many attending the show the legacies of Green River and Mother Love Bone were still vivid and the 300 people attending left many outside unable to get in. Alice In Chains would often listed as playing at the venue. Soundgarden can also be seen on stage performing at the venue in the movie “Singles”. It was on November 25, 1990 that many have reported watching Nirvana introduced Dave Grohl as their new permanent drummer. Below is a link to a boot-leg of Mookie Blaylock (Pearl Jam) first ever show at The Off Ramp (22/10/1990).

The Central Saloon

As is described on the Central Saloon website, In the year 1888, Washington Territory became a state of the union and in 1889 Seattle suffered the “great fire.” Early pioneers began to rebuild Pioneer Square and in April of 1892 Mr. Thomas Watson opened The Central, then known as Watson Bros. In 1901 Mr. Watson sold the business to Messrs. Jamison and McFarland who renamed it “The Seattle Bar.”

Seattle experienced a consistent expansion as Yukon gold miners in the rush looked for places to eat and drink. Another catalyst in this consisted of the increasing volumes of cargoes which were loaded in and around Seattle for distant ports. Public spaces and bars such as The Central therefore continued to evolve and their functions would begin to adapt and change. Consequently, through it’s life The Central Saloon has seen a range of forms, this has included a cafe, post office, employment hall, a card room and bar, as well as a brothel.

In 1970 the Central changed hands again. This time it was to Bob Foster and Jamie Anderson, who were two young Boeing engineers. It has since changed hands again. Today, the bar has become famous for it’s affiliations to the sub-cultural scenes, especially the Punk and alternative music. Nirvana played their 1st Seattle show here on April 10, 1988. Many people believe that the bar was pretty much empty with all but staff present. It has been suggested that of the few people who did show up, Bruce Pavitt and Jonathon Poneman of Sub-Pop records were in attendance (need to research this further). A little known band named Soundgarden played one of their early shows in 1988.

Alice In Chains played a show here the same night as Mother Love Bone and Andrew Wood frequented the bar with Malfunksion. Many of the names on the Deep Six record can be found on early Central posters. Mother Love Bone played their last show here on March 9, 1990. A neon sign "Who am I..." from the 2014 Alice In Chains video, “Voices” now hangs in the window. It was actually used as a stage-light for the backdrop in the video. Many of todays Pacific North West active and emerging bands still frequent this venue and it remains very much in tune with its now established legacy and recent past. A poignant memorial sits on one of the walls to the Seattle musicians who once dominated the scene and are now deceased (image below).

Crocodile Tavern

This venue was opened in 1991 by the wife of Peter Buck (Lead Guitarist of R.E.M). The Crocodile became well known for the hosting of many album and EP release parties. Nirvana played a monumental set with Mudhoney on October 4, 1992. There’s a 12 min home video in existence of Nirvana’s performance that night. Seattle super group, Mad Season (formed in 1994 and consisting of members from Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Screaming Trees) played their first show at the Cafe.

Today, the venues history of live performance spans from the Beastie Boys to Macklemore, Social Distortion to The Melvins, Lucero to Alt J! It was bought in 2009 by Alice In Chains drummer, Sean Kinney and Alice In Chains manager Susan Silver (Chris Cornell’s ex-wife).

The Paramount Theatre

The theater originally opened March 1, 1928 as the Seattle Theatre with 3,000 seats, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 9, 1974.

Andy Wood’s memorial was held here in March of 1990. Nirvana filmed Live at The Paramount here. Soundgarden's 1992 home video, Motorvision was filmed here. Pink Floyd played this venue on the Meddle tour of 1972. Many remember the venue for been the first date which kicked off Madonna’s Like A Virgin Tour on April 10, 1985.

Reciprocal Recordings

This is a wedge shaped building located on Leary Way, Ballard. It was a studio operated from 1986-1991, managed by Jack Endino and Chris Hanzsek. Jack was previously in the Seattle band called Skin-Yard and was to become a pivotal name in the propagation of the “Grunge” sound. Kurt, Krist and Chad recorded their first demo at this studio and this included music which was then released on the debut album “Bleach”. Three of the album songs including "Floyd the Barber", "Paper Cuts" and "Downer" – were recorded during a session at Reciprocal Studios in 1988, featuring Dale Crover on drums. Despite attempts to re-record them with new drummer Chad Channing, the band ultimately decided to remix the versions recorded with Crover for the final version of Bleach. "Big Long Now" was omitted from the album because vocalist/guitarist Kurt Cobain felt "there was already enough slow heavy stuff on Bleach, and he 'didn't want that song to go out'", according to Jack Endino.

Many other records were to be recorded at this location. This includes Mudhoney’s “Mudhoney” and “Superfuzz Bigmuff,” TAD’s “God’s Balls,” Green River’s “Dry as a Bone,” Soundgarden’s “Screaming Life,” and Babes in Toyland’s “Spanking Machine.” After Reciprocal Recording closed, the building housed several other recording studios, including Hall of Justice, owned by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla.

Image from Brian Barr on Flickr

Pike Place

This market is home to the original Starbucks and has become notorious for the throwing of fish across the huge fresh fish market stall. In terms of the market itself, I really don’t know much about it, therefore, I had to consult its website which I found pretty informative. The market was established in 1907 to “connect citizens and farmers, the Market continues its “Meet the Producer” tradition with a year-round farmer’s market, owner-operated bakeries, fish markets, butcher shops, produce stands and specialty food stores.” It stretches across a nine-acre area and boasts dozens of farmers, a bustling crafts market, and more than 200 unique independent shops. There are more than 80 food stalls and restaurants as well.

Interestingly, the market has not remained detached from the musical story of Seattle. This market was where a man named Artis the Spoonman used to perform by playing the spoons. Soundgarden, wrote a song about him called, “Spoonman” which is included on their “Superunknown” album. The local Hard-Rock café is also home to many artefacts from the local music history. It is the only Hard-Rock café to have an upside down guitar outside as a homage to Seattle artist Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain (Both lefties).

Black Sun

“Black Sun” is a sculpture by Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi, which was installed in Volunteer Park in 1969. This sculpture is believed to be the inspiration for the name of Soundgarden’s most famous songs “Black Hole Sun.” “Black Sun” can be found across the road from the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

The Soundgarden name itself is thought to have been inspired by the "A Sound Garden" art installation. This was installed in 1983 on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, adjacent to the Warren G. Magnuson Park on the northwestern shore of Lake Washington. Created by Douglas R. Hollis the park consists of 12 structures made of steel. Inside each of these area range of organ pipes of differing sizes. In the event of wind the pipes produce eerie and groaning tones. Accounts have been made by some of Chris Cornell often using the park as a place to hang out in the midst of his alcohol addiction.

All images are the authors own, unless specified

"Driving around up and down Division Street

I used to like it here

It just burns me out to remember"

Elliot Smith - Punch and Judy. Album: Either/Or

"Everybody loves us

Everybody loves our town

That's why I'm thinking lately

The time for leaving is now"

Mudhoney – Overblown. Album: March to Fuzz