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{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{For|the [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]] album|Green River (album)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Infobox Musical artist
{{More citations needed|date=January 2023}}
|Name = Green River
{{Original research|date=January 2023}}
|Img = Green River Promo.gif
|Img_capt = Green River, from left to right: Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mark Arm, Bruce Fairweather and Alex Vincent<br>{{deletable image-caption|Sunday, 1 November 2009}}
|Img_size = 250
|Background = group_or_band
|Origin = [[Seattle]], [[Washington]], [[United States|USA]]
|Genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[grunge]]
|Years_active = 1984–1988<br>2008–present<br><small>(One-off reunion: 1993)</small>
|Label = [[Homestead Records|Homestead]], [[Sub Pop]]
|Associated_acts = [[Limp Richerds]], [[Spluii Numa]], [[Mudhoney]], [[Mother Love Bone]], [[Love Battery]], [[Temple of the Dog]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Brad (band)|Brad]], [[Three Fish]]
|Current_members = [[Jeff Ament]]<br>[[Mark Arm]]<br>[[Steve Turner (guitarist)|Steve Turner]]<br>[[Alex Vincent (drummer)|Alex Vincent]]<br>[[Stone Gossard]]<br>[[Bruce Fairweather]]
|Past_members =
|Notable_instruments =
}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
'''Green River''' is an American [[Rock music|rock]] band that formed in [[Seattle]], [[Washington]] in 1984. The band was active from 1984 to 1988. Although the band had little commercial impact outside of its native Seattle, Green River 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. In 2008, Green River reunited and has since played several live shows.
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Green River
|image = Green-River.jpg
|image_upright = 1.2
|caption = Green River live in 1984. From left to right: [[Stone Gossard]], [[Mark Arm]], [[Alex Vincent (drummer)|Alex Vincent]] and [[Steve Turner (guitarist)|Steve Turner]].
|background = group_or_band
|origin = [[Seattle]], Washington, U.S.
|genre = {{hlist|[[Grunge]]<ref name="Huey">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/green-river-mn0000799771/biography |title=Green River {{!}} Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |last=Huey |first=Steve |access-date=June 13, 2005}}</ref>|[[punk&nbsp;rock]]<ref name="Mudhoneysite">{{cite web|title=MudHoney biography|url=http://www.mudhoneysite.com/biography|access-date=February 22, 2018}}</ref>|[[Heavy metal music|heavy&nbsp;metal]]<ref name="Mudhoneysite"/>|[[garage rock]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Prato|first=Greg|title=Mother Love Bone {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mother-love-bone-mn0000502269/biography|access-date=August 26, 2020|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>}}
|years_active = {{hlist|1984–1988|1993|2008–2009}}
|label = [[Homestead Records|Homestead]], [[Sub Pop]]
|associated_acts = [[Limp Richerds]], [[Spluii Numa]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Mudhoney]], [[Mother Love Bone]], [[Love Battery]], [[Soundgarden]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Brad (band)|Brad]], [[Three Fish]]
|past_members = [[Jeff Ament]]<br/>[[Mark Arm]]<br/>[[Steve Turner (guitarist)|Steve Turner]]<br/>[[Alex Vincent (drummer)|Alex Vincent]]<br/>[[Stone Gossard]]<br/>[[Bruce Fairweather]]<br/>[[Chuck Treece]]
}}

'''Green River''' was an American [[Rock music|rock]] band formed in [[Seattle]], Washington, in 1984. Considered one of the first [[grunge]] bands, Green River is best known for being the precursor to multiple key early 1990s rock bands, most notably [[Pearl Jam]], [[Mudhoney]], [[Mother Love Bone]], [[Temple of the Dog]], and [[Love Battery]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green River Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/green-river-mn0000799771/biography |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> Green River reunited for several live shows in 2008 and 2009.


==History==
==History==
In its first practice sessions in early 1984, Green River's members were vocalist [[Mark Arm]], guitarist [[Steve Turner (guitarist)|Steve Turner]], drummer [[Alex Vincent (drummer)|Alex Vincent]] (also known as Alex Shumway) and bassist [[Jeff Ament]]. Prior to joining Green River, they had played for a variety of rock, punk, and hardcore groups, often with overlapping lineups. Arm and Turner had played together in Mr. Epp and the Calculations and the [[Limp Richerds]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Cameron |first=Keith |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3OTcBAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Green+River%22+%22Ament%22+%22Deranged+Diction%22&pg=PA44 |title=Mudhoney: The Sound and the Fury from Seattle |date=2014-03-21 |publisher=Voyageur Press |isbn=978-0-7603-4661-7 |pages=22, 33–35 |language=en}}</ref> Determined to start a new band together, they first recruited Vincent, whom Turner had briefly played with in [[Spluii Numa]], as drummer, and then set about convincing Ament to join.<ref name=":0" /> He and Turner worked at the same Seattle coffeeshop, and Arm had befriended him after a DJ set by Ament at Metropolis, a local club.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Yarm |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z-44p7V2TrUC&dq=%22Green+River%22+%22Ament%22+%22Deranged+Diction%22&pg=PA50 |title=Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge |date=2012-03-13 |publisher=Crown |isbn=978-0-307-46444-6 |pages=49–51 |language=en}}</ref> Ament had a low opinion of Mr. Epp, but agreed to join the new band due to Turner's persistence and Ament's frustration with Deranged Diction, his band at the time.<ref name=":0" /> The first Green River rehearsal was at the Turner home on Mercer Island.<ref name=":0" /> [[Stone Gossard]], a high school friend of Turner and Vincent, joined as a second guitarist shortly thereafter.<ref name=":1" />
Green River (named after the then at-large [[serial killer]] [[Gary Ridgway|of the same name]]) was formed in early 1984 by vocalist/guitarist [[Mark Arm]], guitarist [[Steve Turner (guitarist)|Steve Turner]], drummer [[Alex Vincent (drummer)|Alex Vincent]] and bassist [[Jeff Ament]].<ref name="Huey">Huey, Steve. "[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3hrsa9wgb23h~T0 Green River]". [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved on June 13, 2005.</ref> 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. Arm and Turner had played together in both Mr Epp & The Calculations and the [[Limp Richerds]]. Turner had also performed with Vincent in [[Spluii Numa]], and Gossard in The Ducky Boys. Ament had been asked to join after moving from Montana with his band Deranged Diction.


The idea for the name "Green River" came to both Arm and Turner independently.<ref name=":1" /> Arm has cited several possible inspirations — [[Green River College|a local community college]], [[Green River (song)|the 1969 Creedence Clearwater song]] — but the most resonant association was with the [[Gary Ridgway|Green River Killer]], an infamous Washington state serial killer who was prominent in headlines at the time.<ref name=":1" /> To Alice Wheeler, a band photographer, the name reflected undercurrents of depression and danger that would come to characterize grunge;<ref name=":1" /> Turner later came to see it as "a dumb joke."<ref name=":0" />
By late 1984, the band was playing shows in and around Seattle. In December 1984, the band began production on its first record, ''[[Come on Down]]''. However, 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.<ref name="Huey"/> He was replaced by former Deranged Diction guitarist [[Bruce Fairweather]].


On June 23, 1984, Green River recorded their first demos at [[Reciprocal Recording]]. They were released on vinyl in 2016. 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 (EP)|Come on Down]]''.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|title=allmusic ((( ''Come on Down'' > Review )))|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r8681|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|author=Torreano, Bradley|access-date=May 20, 2009}}</ref> By the time the band finished the record in mid-1985, Turner had left the group, citing his distaste with the rest of the band's heavy metal leanings.<ref name="Huey" /> He was replaced by former Deranged Diction guitarist [[Bruce Fairweather]].
In mid-1985, the band embarked on its first nationwide tour to promote the now completed ''Come on Down'' EP. Release of the record was delayed however, thus negating the purpose of the tour. From all accounts the experience was less than positive, though it did help cement alliances with other emerging American [[indie rock]] bands. Among them was [[Sonic Youth]], who later quoted the song "Come on Down" on its own composition "[[Nevermind (What Was It Anyway)]]". After the tour, ''Come on Down'' was finally released by the New York-based [[Homestead Records]]. The record was released to little fanfare, and did not sell well. However it is often considered the first album to be released by a "grunge" band, as it predated both the ''[[Deep Six (album)|Deep Six]]'' compilation album and the [[Melvins]]' debut album.


In late 1985, the band embarked on its first nationwide tour to promote ''Come on Down''. Release of the record was delayed, however, thus negating the purpose of the tour. From all accounts the experience was less than positive, though it helped cement alliances with other emerging American [[indie rock]] bands. Among them was [[Sonic Youth]], who later quoted the song "Come on Down" on its own composition "[[Nevermind (What Was It Anyway)]]". After the tour, ''Come on Down'' was finally released by the New York-based [[Homestead Records]]. The record was released to little fanfare, and did not sell well. However it is often considered the first record to be released by a "grunge" band, as it predated both the [[Melvins! (album)|''Melvins'']] debut EP and the ''[[Deep Six (album)|Deep Six]]'' compilation album.
In 1986, the band continued to play in and around the [[Pacific Northwest]] to steadily larger crowds (especially in the band's hometown of Seattle). Early in the year, the now legendary ''[[Deep Six (album)|Deep Six]]'' compilation album was released on the local [[C/Z Records]] label. Alongside two Green River songs, the compilation features the music of fellow Washington bands [[Soundgarden]], [[Melvins]], [[Malfunkshun]], [[Skin Yard]] and the [[U-Men]]. Kathleen C. Fennessy of [[Allmusic]] stated that the compilation "documents a formative period in Northwest rock history."<ref>Fennessy, Kathleen C. [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ck9as35ba3rg "Deep Six"]. [[Allmusic]].</ref>


In 1986, the band continued to play in and around the [[Pacific Northwest]] to steadily larger crowds (especially in the band's hometown of Seattle). Early in the year, the now legendary ''[[Deep Six (album)|Deep Six]]'' compilation album was released on the local [[C/Z Records]] label. Alongside two Green River songs, the compilation features the music of fellow Washington bands [[Malfunkshun]], [[Melvins]], [[Skin Yard]], [[Soundgarden]], and [[The U-Men]]. Kathleen C. Fennessy of [[AllMusic]] stated that the compilation "documents a formative period in Northwest rock history".<ref>Fennessy, Kathleen C. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r35030|pure_url=yes}} "Deep Six"]. [[AllMusic]].</ref>
In June 1986, the band began production on its second EP, ''[[Dry As a Bone]]'', with local producer [[Jack Endino]]. Green River chose to record ''Dry As a Bone'' for [[Bruce Pavitt]]'s new label, [[Sub Pop]]. However, Pavitt couldn't afford to release it until the following year, and, as had happened with ''Come on Down'', the record was delayed. In the meantime the band issued the one-off "Together We'll Never" single on the local Tasque Force Records label. ''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."<ref name="Azerrad">Azerrad, Michael. ''[[Our Band Could Be Your Life]]''. Little, Brown and Company, 2001. ISBN 0-316-78753-1</ref> Steve Huey of Allmusic called it Green River's "strongest individual release...perfecting their sleazy, raucous fusion of '70s hard rock and post-hardcore punk."<ref>Huey, Steve. [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jmdkyl51xp9b "Dry As a Bone"]. [[Allmusic]].</ref>


{{Listen
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.<ref name="Azerrad"/> Ament and Gossard wanted to pursue a major-label deal, while Arm wanted to remain [[independent music|independent]], viewing the duo as being too careerist.<ref name="Huey"/> The in-fighting came to a head following an October 1987 show in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. Apparently, without informing the group Ament had filled the show's guest list with major label representatives, instead of the band's friends, only to have two of the representatives appear.<ref name="Huey"/> On October 31, 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. Ned Raggett of [[Allmusic]] called it "a record that sounded caught somewhere between grunge mania and [[Heavy metal music|metal]]/corp [[Rock music|rock]] folly."<ref>Ned Raggett. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:lgfe4jo70wae "Rehab Doll"]. [[Allmusic]].</ref>
|filename=ThisTown GreenRiver.ogg
|title="This Town"
|description=Sample of the 1986 Green River track "This Town" off ''[[Dry as a Bone]]''. Characteristic of the band are heavy distortion and Arm's frenetic vocals.
|format=[[Ogg]]}}In June 1986, the band began production on its second EP, ''[[Dry as a Bone]]'', with local producer [[Jack Endino]]. Green River chose to record ''Dry as a Bone'' for [[Bruce Pavitt]]'s new label, [[Sub Pop]]. However, Pavitt couldn't afford to release it until the following year, and, as had happened with ''Come on Down'', the record was delayed. In the meantime the band issued the one-off "Together We'll Never" single on the local Tasque Force Records label. ''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".<ref name="Azerrad">Azerrad, Michael. ''[[Our Band Could Be Your Life]]''. Little, Brown and Company, 2001. {{ISBN|0-316-78753-1}}</ref> Steve Huey of AllMusic called it Green River's "strongest individual release...perfecting their sleazy, raucous fusion of '70s hard rock and post-hardcore punk".<ref>Huey, Steve. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r316621|pure_url=yes}} "Dry as a Bone"]. [[AllMusic]].</ref>


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.<ref name="Azerrad"/> Ament and Gossard wanted to pursue a major-label deal, while Arm wanted to remain [[independent music|independent]], viewing the duo as being too careerist.<ref name="Huey"/> The in-fighting came to a head following an October 1987 show in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. Apparently, without informing the group, Ament had filled the show's guest list with major label representatives, instead of the band's friends; nonetheless only two of the representatives appeared.<ref name="Huey"/> On October 31, 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. Ned Raggett of AllMusic called it "a record that sounded caught somewhere between grunge mania and [[Heavy metal music|metal]]/corp [[Rock music|rock]] folly".<ref>Ned Raggett. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r8682|pure_url=yes}} "Rehab Doll"]. [[AllMusic]].</ref>
A Green River reunion occurred on November 30, 1993 during a [[Pearl Jam]] concert in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]]. Participating in the reunion were Arm, Turner, Gossard, Ament and [[Chuck Treece]], who filled in on drums for Vincent, who at that time was living in Japan. The band performed the songs "Swallow My Pride" and "Ain't Nothing to Do" before leaving the stage. Green River reunited for four shows in 2008. The line-up for the shows included Ament, Arm, Turner, Vincent, Gossard, and Fairweather. The first show was a warm-up show on July 10, 2008 at the Sunset Tavern in Seattle. The band next played on July 13, 2008 at [[Marymoor Park]] near Seattle to honor Sub Pop's 20th anniversary.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN0241422520071003 "Cult rock band Green River to reunite for show"]. [[Reuters]]. October 2, 2007.</ref> Green River played another live show on November 28, 2008 at [[Dante's]] in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]]. Afterward, the band played on November 29, 2008 at the Showbox in Seattle to celebrate [[The Supersuckers]]' 20th anniversary.<ref>Hay, Travis. [http://blog.seattlepi.com/earcandy/archives/155756.asp "REVIEW: Supersuckers, Green River & Zeke @ Showbox at the Market"]. ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''. December 1, 2008.</ref> Green River played on May 22, 2009 and May 23, 2009 at the Showbox in Seattle to celebrate the [[Melvins]]' 25th anniversary.<ref>[http://www.showboxonline.com/market/eventdetail.php?id=22269 "Showbox Presents Melvins with Green River"]. showboxonline.com.</ref><ref>[http://www.showboxonline.com/market/eventdetail.php?id=22270 "Showbox Presents Melvins with Green River"]. showboxonline.com.</ref> Green River has tentative plans to record a new studio album when the band members' schedules permit, to release a remixed and remastered version of the band's debut EP, ''Come on Down'', containing bonus material, and to possibly tour.<ref>Schaffer, James. [http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=364525415&blogId=492533724 "Green River Interview with drummer Alex Shumway"]. ''Rock-it In Space''. May 30, 2009.</ref>


===Reunions===
==Post-Green River==
A Green River reunion occurred on November 30, 1993 during a [[Pearl Jam]] concert in [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]]. Participating in the reunion were Arm, Turner, Gossard, Ament and [[Chuck Treece]], who filled in on drums for Vincent, who at that time was living in Japan. The band performed the songs "Swallow My Pride" and "Ain't Nothing to Do" before leaving the stage. Green River reunited for four shows in 2008, featuring every band member in its history except Treece. The first show was a warm-up show on July 10, 2008 at the Sunset Tavern in Seattle. The band next played on July 13, 2008 at [[Marymoor Park]] near Seattle to honor Sub Pop's 20th anniversary.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN0241422520071003 "Cult rock band Green River to reunite for show"]. [[Reuters]]. October 2, 2007.</ref>
After the break-up, Arm and Turner began rehearsing together. They recruited bassist [[Matt Lukin]] (formerly of [[Melvins]]) and drummer [[Dan Peters]] (of Bundle of Hiss and Feast) to form [[Mudhoney]] in January 1988. Mudhoney quickly gained popularity in the Seattle scene, with debut releases "[[Touch Me I'm Sick]]" and ''[[Superfuzz Bigmuff]]'' receiving positive reviews in the music press. Since releasing its debut album in 1989, Mudhoney has recorded a further seven albums and continues to tour.


==Band members==
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]] frontman [[Andrew Wood]]. By early 1988 the Lords of the Wasteland had become [[Mother Love Bone]]. Mother Love Bone quickly rose to popularity in the Seattle scene, and were about to release its debut album in 1990, when Wood fatally overdosed on [[heroin]]. That same year, Ament and Gossard (along with [[Chris Cornell]], [[Matt Cameron]], [[Mike McCready]], and a guest appearance by [[Eddie Vedder]]) recorded the Andrew Wood tribute album ''[[Temple of the Dog (album)|Temple of the Dog]]'' (amidst the formation of the band [[Pearl Jam]]), which went on to achieve international mainstream success. After Temple of the Dog, Gossard and Ament founded Pearl Jam along with Mike McCready of Shadow, Eddie Vedder of [[Bad Radio]], and [[Dave Krusen]]. Pearl Jam rocketed to fame with its debut album ''[[Ten (Pearl Jam album)|Ten]]'' and is still active today. Pearl Jam has released nine studio albums in total and continues to tour.
*[[Mark Arm]] – vocals (1984–1988, 1993, 2008–09)
*[[Steve Turner (guitarist)|Steve Turner]] – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1985, 1993, 2008–2009)
*[[Alex Vincent (drummer)|Alex Vincent]] – drums, percussion (1984–1988, 2008–09)
*[[Jeff Ament]] – bass, backing vocals (1984–1988, 1993, 2008–09)
*[[Stone Gossard]] – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1988, 1993, 2008–09)
*[[Bruce Fairweather]] – guitar, backing vocals (1985–1988, 2008–2009)
*[[Chuck Treece]] – drums (1993)


===Timeline===
Fairweather joined Gossard and Ament as a member of Mother Love Bone. Following the band's demise, he replaced Tommy Simpson on bass in the psychedelic rock band [[Love Battery]] in 1992. He played on two of the band's albums and many of its tours before leaving that band as well and dropping off the radar. In 2006, he resurfaced in The Press Corps, with Garret Shavlik ([[The Fluid]]) and Dan Peters (Mudhoney). Vincent, Green River's drummer, moved to Japan after the break-up and did not return to the United States for many years.
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ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1984


Colors =
==Legacy==
id:lvocals value:red legend:Vocals
Green River made little commercial impact outside of Seattle, but what the band lacked in commercial success however it made up for in influence. In general, Green River is widely regarded as being one of the originators of the genre later known as [[grunge]]. With its sludgy mix of [[hard rock]], [[punk rock|punk]] and [[heavy metal music|metal]], heavily influenced by [[Iggy Pop]]'s original proto-punk group [[The Stooges]], coupled with Arm's twisted lyrics and vocal delivery, Green River greatly influenced both its peers and bands that followed them. Even without the fact that some of its members would later go on to form some of the biggest bands of the Northwest music scene, Green River is still remembered for its musical foresight and innovation, years ahead of the rise of grunge.
id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums,_percussion
id:albums value:black legend:Studio_album
id:ep value:gray(0.5) legend:Extended_play
id:bars value:gray(0.95)


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==Band members==

*[[Jeff Ament]] – [[Bass guitar|bass]]
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*[[Mark Arm]] – [[Singing|vocal]]s
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*[[Steve Turner (guitarist)|Steve Turner]] – [[guitar]] (1984–1985, 2008–present)
at:05/05/1985
*[[Alex Vincent (drummer)|Alex Vincent]] – [[Drum kit|drum]]s
at:07/07/1987
*[[Stone Gossard]] – guitar
color:albums layer:back
*[[Bruce Fairweather]] – guitar (1985–1988, 2008–present)
at:06/06/1988

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bar:Turner text:"Steve Turner"
bar:Fairweather text:"Bruce Fairweather"
bar:Gossard text:"Stone Gossard"
bar:Ament text:"Jeff Ament"
bar:Vincent text:"Alex Vincent"
bar:Treece text:"Chuck Treece"

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bar:Arm from:11/30/1993 till:12/01/1993 color:lvocals
bar:Arm from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:lvocals
bar:Turner from:start till:05/06/1985 color:lguitar
bar:Turner from:start till:05/06/1985 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Turner from:11/30/1993 till:12/01/1993 color:lguitar
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bar:Turner from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:lguitar
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bar:Fairweather from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:lguitar
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bar:Gossard from:start till:01/01/1988 color:rguitar
bar:Gossard from:start till:01/01/1988 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Gossard from:11/30/1993 till:12/01/1993 color:rguitar
bar:Gossard from:11/30/1993 till:12/01/1993 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Gossard from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:rguitar
bar:Gossard from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Ament from:start till:01/01/1988 color:bass
bar:Ament from:start till:01/01/1988 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Ament from:11/30/1993 till:12/01/1993 color:bass
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bar:Ament from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:bass
bar:Ament from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Vincent from:start till:01/01/1988 color:drums
bar:Vincent from:07/10/2008 till:05/23/2009 color:drums
bar:Treece from:11/30/1993 till:12/01/1993 color:drums
}}


==Discography==
==Discography==

===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
{| class ="wikitable" border="1"
{| class ="wikitable" border="1"
Line 59: Line 135:
|1988
|1988
|'''''[[Rehab Doll]]'''''
|'''''[[Rehab Doll]]'''''
*Released: June 1988
*Released: May 1, 1988
*Label: [[Sub Pop]]
*Label: [[Sub Pop]] (SP-15)
*Format: [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[Gramophone record|LP]]
*Format: [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[Gramophone record|LP]]
|}

===Live albums===
{| class ="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Year
!width="185"|Album details
|-
|2019
|'''''Live at the Tropicana'''''
*Released: April 14, 2019
*Label: Jackpot records
*Format: [[Gramophone record|LP]]
|}

===Demo albums===
{| class ="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Year
!width="185"|Album details
|-
|2016
|'''''1984 Demos'''''
*Released: April 16, 2016
*Label: Jackpot records
*Format: [[Gramophone record|LP]]
|}
|}


Line 71: Line 173:
|-
|-
|1990
|1990
|'''''[[Dry As a Bone/Rehab Doll]]'''''
|'''''[[Dry as a Bone/Rehab Doll]]'''''
*Released: September 13, 1990
*Released: September 13, 1990
*Label: Sub Pop
*Label: Sub Pop (SP-11b)
*Format: CD, [[Compact Cassette|cassette]] (CS)
*Format: CD, [[Compact Cassette|cassette]] (CS)
|}
|}
Line 84: Line 186:
|-
|-
|1985
|1985
|'''''[[Come on Down]]'''''
|'''''[[Come On Down (EP)|Come On Down]]'''''
*Released: 1985
*Released: November 1985
*Label: [[Homestead Records|Homestead]]
*Label: [[Homestead Records|Homestead]] (031)
*Format: CD, LP
*Format: CD, LP, [[Compact Cassette|cassette]] (CS)
|-
|-
|1987
|1987
|'''''[[Dry As a Bone]]'''''
|'''''[[Dry As a Bone]]'''''
*Released: July 1987
*Released: July 1987
*Label: Sub Pop
*Label: Sub Pop (SP-11)
*Format: CD, LP
*Format: CD, LP
|}
|}
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|-
|-
|1986
|1986
|"Together We'll Never"
|"Together We'll Never"/"Ain't Nothing to Do"

*Released: September 10, 1986
*Label: Tasque Force (ICP-01)
*Format: 7"
|align="center"|Non-album single
|align="center"|Non-album single
|}
|}
Line 135: Line 241:
|1989
|1989
|
|
"Bazaar"<br>"Away In Manger"
"Bazaar"<br>"Away in a Manger"
|''Another Pyrrhic Victory: The Only Compilation of Dead Seattle God Bands''
|''Another Pyrrhic Victory: The Only Compilation of Dead Seattle God Bands''
|C/Z
|C/Z
Line 155: Line 261:
*[[List of alternative rock artists]]
*[[List of alternative rock artists]]


==References==
==Notes and references==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=2019-02-01 |title=Green River and the Birth of Seattle Grunge: The Oral History |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/green-river-seattle-grunge-oral-history-pearl-jam-mudhoney-783878/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.subpop.com/artists/green_river Sub Pop's Green River page]
*[http://www.subpop.com/artists/green_river Sub Pop's Green River page]
*{{allmusicguide|11:a9fixqw5ld6e|Green River}}
*{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p13088|label=Green River}}
*{{last.fm|Green River|Green River}}
{{Green River}}
{{Mother Love Bone}}
{{Pearl Jam}}
{{Brad}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Green River}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Green River}}
[[Category:1980s music groups]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:American alternative rock groups]]
[[Category:Grunge musical groups]]
[[Category:Grunge groups]]
[[Category:C/Z Records artists]]
[[Category:Homestead Records artists]]
[[Category:Homestead Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1988]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1984]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1984]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Seattle, Washington]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1988]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2008]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Seattle]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Sub Pop artists]]
[[Category:Sub Pop artists]]

[[cs:Green River]]
[[de:Green River (Band)]]
[[es:Green River]]
[[fr:Green River (groupe)]]
[[gl:Green River]]
[[it:Green River (gruppo musicale)]]
[[he:גרין ריבר]]
[[nl:Green River (band)]]
[[no:Green River (band)]]
[[pl:Green River (grupa muzyczna)]]
[[pt:Green River (banda)]]
[[ru:Green River]]
[[sk:Green River]]
[[fi:Green River (yhtye)]]
[[sv:Green River (musikgrupp)]]
[[zh:绿河乐队]]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 26 May 2024

Green River
Green River live in 1984. From left to right: Stone Gossard, Mark Arm, Alex Vincent and Steve Turner.
Green River live in 1984. From left to right: Stone Gossard, Mark Arm, Alex Vincent and Steve Turner.
Background information
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1984–1988
  • 1993
  • 2008–2009
LabelsHomestead, Sub Pop
Past membersJeff Ament
Mark Arm
Steve Turner
Alex Vincent
Stone Gossard
Bruce Fairweather
Chuck Treece

Green River was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984. Considered one of the first grunge bands, Green River is best known for being the precursor to multiple key early 1990s rock bands, most notably Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog, and Love Battery.[4] Green River reunited for several live shows in 2008 and 2009.

History

[edit]

In its first practice sessions in early 1984, Green River's members were vocalist Mark Arm, guitarist Steve Turner, drummer Alex Vincent (also known as Alex Shumway) and bassist Jeff Ament. Prior to joining Green River, they had played for a variety of rock, punk, and hardcore groups, often with overlapping lineups. Arm and Turner had played together in Mr. Epp and the Calculations and the Limp Richerds.[5] Determined to start a new band together, they first recruited Vincent, whom Turner had briefly played with in Spluii Numa, as drummer, and then set about convincing Ament to join.[5] He and Turner worked at the same Seattle coffeeshop, and Arm had befriended him after a DJ set by Ament at Metropolis, a local club.[6] Ament had a low opinion of Mr. Epp, but agreed to join the new band due to Turner's persistence and Ament's frustration with Deranged Diction, his band at the time.[5] The first Green River rehearsal was at the Turner home on Mercer Island.[5] Stone Gossard, a high school friend of Turner and Vincent, joined as a second guitarist shortly thereafter.[6]

The idea for the name "Green River" came to both Arm and Turner independently.[6] Arm has cited several possible inspirations — a local community college, the 1969 Creedence Clearwater song — but the most resonant association was with the Green River Killer, an infamous Washington state serial killer who was prominent in headlines at the time.[6] To Alice Wheeler, a band photographer, the name reflected undercurrents of depression and danger that would come to characterize grunge;[6] Turner later came to see it as "a dumb joke."[5]

On June 23, 1984, Green River recorded their first demos at Reciprocal Recording. They were released on vinyl in 2016. 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.[7] By the time the band finished the record in mid-1985, Turner had left the group, citing his distaste with the rest of the band's heavy metal leanings.[1] He was replaced by former Deranged Diction guitarist Bruce Fairweather.

In late 1985, the band embarked on its first nationwide tour to promote Come on Down. Release of the record was delayed, however, thus negating the purpose of the tour. From all accounts the experience was less than positive, though it helped cement alliances with other emerging American indie rock bands. Among them was Sonic Youth, who later quoted the song "Come on Down" on its own composition "Nevermind (What Was It Anyway)". After the tour, Come on Down was finally released by the New York-based Homestead Records. The record was released to little fanfare, and did not sell well. However it is often considered the first record to be released by a "grunge" band, as it predated both the Melvins debut EP and the Deep Six compilation album.

In 1986, the band continued to play in and around the Pacific Northwest to steadily larger crowds (especially in the band's hometown of Seattle). Early in the year, the now legendary Deep Six compilation album was released on the local C/Z Records label. Alongside two Green River songs, the compilation features the music of fellow Washington bands Malfunkshun, Melvins, Skin Yard, Soundgarden, and The U-Men. Kathleen C. Fennessy of AllMusic stated that the compilation "documents a formative period in Northwest rock history".[8]

"This Town"
Sample of the 1986 Green River track "This Town" off Dry as a Bone. Characteristic of the band are heavy distortion and Arm's frenetic vocals.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In June 1986, the band began production on its second EP, Dry as a Bone, with local producer Jack Endino. Green River chose to record Dry as a Bone for Bruce Pavitt's new label, Sub Pop. However, Pavitt couldn't afford to release it until the following year, and, as had happened with Come on Down, the record was delayed. In the meantime the band issued the one-off "Together We'll Never" single on the local Tasque Force Records label. 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".[9] Steve Huey of AllMusic called it Green River's "strongest individual release...perfecting their sleazy, raucous fusion of '70s hard rock and post-hardcore punk".[10]

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.[9] Ament and Gossard wanted to pursue a major-label deal, while Arm wanted to remain independent, viewing the duo as being too careerist.[1] The in-fighting came to a head following an October 1987 show in Los Angeles, California. Apparently, without informing the group, Ament had filled the show's guest list with major label representatives, instead of the band's friends; nonetheless only two of the representatives appeared.[1] On October 31, 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. Ned Raggett of AllMusic called it "a record that sounded caught somewhere between grunge mania and metal/corp rock folly".[11]

Reunions

[edit]

A Green River reunion occurred on November 30, 1993 during a Pearl Jam concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. Participating in the reunion were Arm, Turner, Gossard, Ament and Chuck Treece, who filled in on drums for Vincent, who at that time was living in Japan. The band performed the songs "Swallow My Pride" and "Ain't Nothing to Do" before leaving the stage. Green River reunited for four shows in 2008, featuring every band member in its history except Treece. The first show was a warm-up show on July 10, 2008 at the Sunset Tavern in Seattle. The band next played on July 13, 2008 at Marymoor Park near Seattle to honor Sub Pop's 20th anniversary.[12]

Band members

[edit]
  • Mark Arm – vocals (1984–1988, 1993, 2008–09)
  • Steve Turner – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1985, 1993, 2008–2009)
  • Alex Vincent – drums, percussion (1984–1988, 2008–09)
  • Jeff Ament – bass, backing vocals (1984–1988, 1993, 2008–09)
  • Stone Gossard – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1988, 1993, 2008–09)
  • Bruce Fairweather – guitar, backing vocals (1985–1988, 2008–2009)
  • Chuck Treece – drums (1993)

Timeline

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Year Album details
1988 Rehab Doll
  • Released: May 1, 1988
  • Label: Sub Pop (SP-15)
  • Format: CD, LP

Live albums

[edit]
Year Album details
2019 Live at the Tropicana
  • Released: April 14, 2019
  • Label: Jackpot records
  • Format: LP

Demo albums

[edit]
Year Album details
2016 1984 Demos
  • Released: April 16, 2016
  • Label: Jackpot records
  • Format: LP

Compilations

[edit]
Year Album details
1990 Dry as a Bone/Rehab Doll
  • Released: September 13, 1990
  • Label: Sub Pop (SP-11b)
  • Format: CD, cassette (CS)

Extended plays

[edit]
Year Album details
1985 Come On Down
1987 Dry As a Bone
  • Released: July 1987
  • Label: Sub Pop (SP-11)
  • Format: CD, LP

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Album
1986 "Together We'll Never"/"Ain't Nothing to Do"
  • Released: September 10, 1986
  • Label: Tasque Force (ICP-01)
  • Format: 7"
 Non-album single

Other appearances

[edit]
Year Song Title Label
1986

"10,000 Things"
"Your Own Best Friend"

Deep Six C/Z
1988

"Searchin' (Good Things Come)"

Motor City Madness Glitterhouse

"Hangin' Tree"

Sub Pop 200 Sub Pop
1989

"Bazaar"
"Away in a Manger"

Another Pyrrhic Victory: The Only Compilation of Dead Seattle God Bands C/Z
1990

"Ain't Nothing to Do"

Endangered Species Glitterhouse
1996

"Swallow My Pride" (1987 demo)

Hype!: The Motion Picture Soundtrack Sub Pop

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Huey, Steve. "Green River | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved June 13, 2005.
  2. ^ a b "MudHoney biography". Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  3. ^ Prato, Greg. "Mother Love Bone | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  4. ^ "Green River Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e Cameron, Keith (March 21, 2014). Mudhoney: The Sound and the Fury from Seattle. Voyageur Press. pp. 22, 33–35. ISBN 978-0-7603-4661-7.
  6. ^ a b c d e Yarm, Mark (March 13, 2012). Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge. Crown. pp. 49–51. ISBN 978-0-307-46444-6.
  7. ^ Torreano, Bradley. "allmusic ((( Come on Down > Review )))". AllMusic. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
  8. ^ Fennessy, Kathleen C. "Deep Six". AllMusic.
  9. ^ a b Azerrad, Michael. Our Band Could Be Your Life. Little, Brown and Company, 2001. ISBN 0-316-78753-1
  10. ^ Huey, Steve. "Dry as a Bone". AllMusic.
  11. ^ Ned Raggett. "Rehab Doll". AllMusic.
  12. ^ "Cult rock band Green River to reunite for show". Reuters. October 2, 2007.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_River_(band)&oldid=1225763978"