Mother Love Bone is a Washington D.C. band formed by former members of two other bands, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament. They are still considered the founders of the genre. Most of the bands from Seattle were prominent representatives of the grunge scene of that time, and Mother Love Bone was no exception.
She performed grunge with elements of glam and hard rock. The group was founded in 1988 and lasted only two years. During this short time, she managed to release only one EP (mini-album) "Shine". Later, and one full album "Apple", excluding the compilation album and live album. Despite this, Mother Love Bone managed to earn its share of popularity and be remembered among fans of the genre all over the world.
Founding of Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone started in 1988. It was formed as a result of the acquaintance of the musicians of the recently disbanded band Green River with Andrew Wood. After the band broke up, Jeff Ament, Bruce Fairweather and Stone Gossard met Andrew Wood. The latter was at that time a member of the Malfunkshun band founded by Andrew and his brother.
Despite the absence of an official breakup, Andrew stopped playing in the band, preferring to rehearse with Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, which leads to the formation of their band Lords Of The Wasteland. After some changes, including the arrival of Bruce Fairweather and Greg Gilmore, the group is renamed Mother Love Bone.
Recording of the Shine EP
Founded at the beginning of 88, the group already on November 19 signed a large contract by the standards of that time. In March 1989, the group's first mini-album "Shine" was released, containing 4 main compositions and one bonus track.
The success of the first mini-album leads to the success and recognition of the group itself. In the future, after the breakup, the EP will be included in the Mother Love Bone (Stardog Champion) compilation album.
First and only full length album
6 months after the release of the commercially successful mini-album, the band, together with producer Terry Date, begins recording their debut album. Recording began in California at The Plant recording studio. The work lasted 3 months and ended in November 1989 in Seattle.
Recording for "Apple" was completed at London Bridge Studios. At the very beginning of work on a new album, the group has difficulties. But despite this, the finalization of the album is completed on time. "Apple" consists of 13 tracks, the lyrics of which were developed exclusively by the band's vocalist.
The release of the album was planned in March 1990, but was delayed by several months. A few days before the planned release date, Wood is hospitalized for a heroin overdose. After spending several days in a coma, Andrew Wood died, the release of the album had to be postponed.
Death of a vocalist
Andrew Patrick Wood (January 8, 1966 - March 19, 1990) always dreamed of a career in a rock band. At the age of 14, he and his brother founded the group Malfunkshun, one of the first grunge bands in Seattle. In their songs, the group spread the ideas of peace and love, which is more typical for hippies than for the underground scene of that time. Andrew himself was inspired by Kiss. He painted his face in a similar style for performances, wore eccentric things, which brought some elements of glam rock into the image of the group.
At the age of 18, Andrew begins to take drugs, in particular heroin. At the age of 20, he was diagnosed with hepatitis. He has to go to rehab. After returning with no announcement of the band's breakup, Andrew Wood begins rehearsing with the former members of Green River. After that, he establishes a new group with them, which is rapidly gaining popularity all over the world.
Toward the end of the recording of the full-length album, Andrew's heroin problems resumed. He again ends up in a clinic where he tries to get treatment for drug addiction. After a month of rehabilitation, he temporarily refuses drugs, goes to meetings of the Narcotics Anonymous Society.
In the first half of 1990, shortly before the planned implementation of "Apple", Andy misses a meeting with the band's newcomer, a stagehand who was also considered as a guard. On the evening of March 16, he was discovered by his friend lying unconscious at home.
After 106 days of sobriety, Andrew Wood took heroin. He was taken to the hospital, where he spent two days connected to a heart-lung machine. On March 19, 1990, the death of the vocalist was recorded. Death was caused by an overdose of heroin, which led to the rupture of blood vessels in the brain.
The further fate of the members of Mother Love Bone
After the death of the vocalist, the group disbands. Former members of Mother Love Bone go to different bands.
Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament take part in temporary project Temple of the Dog created by Chris Cornell in memory of Andrew. The two musicians founded the Pearl Jam group, which exists to this day. A group founded by two former members of Mother Love Bone. Gaining immense popularity all over the world, is one of the key four grunge.
Shortly after the breakup of the band, Bruce Fairweather joins the ranks of Love Battery as a drummer, Greg Gilmore no longer joins groups, remaining a freelance musician.
Temporary reunion
In April 2010, the remaining members of the group reunite in one show. After 20 years, Mother Love Bone gathers without Andrew Wood to perform as part of Brad and Friends. The group performed compositions from their main repertoire, including one cover.
The last meeting of the members was on May 5, 2018, when the surviving members of the group performed 14 songs in Seattle, at the Neptune Theater. They were assisted on vocals by Shawn Smith (Pigeonhead) and Ohm Johari (Hell's Belles).
