If you know your alternative rock onions you’ll be familiar with Mudhoney.

That’s because it’s hard to imagine how today’s distortion loving guitar bands would sound without them.

In 1989, the one-time kings of the Seattle underground toured the UK with a then little known band called Nirvana.

Two year later Nirvana’s breakthrough Nevermind album knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the album chart changing rock ’n’ roll forever.

Nirvana’s success overshadowed bands like Mudhoney, even if both bands struck major label record deals.

It should be remembered, however, that Mudhoney were a band that Nirvana idolised.

Mudhoney were – and still are – are a fuzzed up, feedback drenched force to fear.

“Anything we play that makes people go nuts is a good thing” says singer and guitarist Mark Arm on a transatlantic line from his Seattle home.

Though he’s 48 and has calmed a little since grunge’s golden days during the early 1990s.

“There’s a few mellow-ish songs. A little variation in the music is a good thing.”

Grunge waned over the years leaving Mudhoney and fellow Seattle band, Pearl Jam, as the last survivors of the genre.

But both bands have become respected veterans rather than embarrassing has-beens.

Mark explains: “We never try to second guess what people want to hear. That’s the downfall of a lot of bands when they try to cling to some kind of success.

“If you’re around for long enough you’re going to taste the kiss of death. At least we put out records which we’re proud of and are uncompromising.”

Mudhoney play the odd UK date from time to time, but this is their first British tour since 1995. And how times have changed.

“In the 1980s putting out your own record was do-able but it was almost mystifying and so was going on tour,” said Mark. “Nowadays there’s a lot more receptive venues and touring infrastructure that wasn’t there.”

What hasn’t changed is opportunist bands who’ll do anything for a bit of fame and fortune – somewhat to Mark’s consternation.

He says: “It’s silly to put your eggs in that basket. If you’re just looking for fortune you’d be better going to business school.

“Unless it’s heartfelt and you’re genuinely into what you’re doing please don’t bother and don’t bother the rest of us with it.”

Mudhoney play Leeds University Stylus on October 7.