Malfunkshun will be featured on KGRG 89.9 FM’s The Puget Sound Underground debut 3 p.m. to 7 p.m Thursday

This Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. KGRG 89.9 FM will take a step backward with their newest on-air offering The Puget Sound Underground, hosted by Jeff Stark.

Long known as a stepping stone for local artists, KGRG was instrumental in breaking several Seattle bands in the 1980s, including Mudhoney, Green River, Mother Love Bone and Nirvana. The Puget Sound Underground is a return to that spirit and will feature an in-studio performance by grunge forefathers Malfunkshun for their debut show.

According to Stark, who is also active in the local music scene as the vocalist for Muldoon and Catatone, the concept behind the show is to shine a spotlight on local independent rock bands.

“There are a lot of local artists out there grinding, doing what they can,” said Stark. “As musicians, we all want to get heard, whether it’s live, on the radio, or in a ditch somewhere. I want to keep this for those people on the grind.”

Considered one of the pivotal bands in the Seattle grunge movement in the late 1980s, Malfunkshun is currently on the grind, touring and working on a new album featuring founding member and guitarist Kevin Wood, vocalist Jeff Loftis, bassist Gus McIntosh and drummer Mike Stone. The band will be playing two Puget Sound area shows, Oct. 21 at the Backstage Bar and Grill in Tacoma and Oct. 22 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle.

“Obviously every body knows them from the whole Andy Wood thing,” Stark said.

After founding and playing in Malfunkshun with his brother Kevin throughout much of the 1980s, Andy left to form Mother Love Bone, with members of Green River.

After Andy’s death from a heroin overdose in 1990, Mother Love Bone morphed into Pearl Jam.

For the Puget Sound Underground, Stark said he plans on keeping the format of the show similar to the debut, with a featured band coming into the studio each week.

“I think it’s just a place for local bands to get heard,” he said. “I’m going to stick to anything local, as long as it rocks. Anything rock, psychobilly, grunge, emo, alternative, indie, hardcore, metal. Anything in that spectrum I’m going to get some play for.”

The Puget Sound Underground airs weekly from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursdays on 89.9 FM. It can also be streamed at www.kgrg.com.

For more information visit the show’s Facebook page or KGRG’s Web site at www.kgrg.com.

Submissions from local bands may be sent to KGRG FM, 12401 S.E. 320th St., Auburn, WA, 98029-3699.

For more information on Malfunkshun visit their Web site here.

“Jezebel Woman” by Malfunkshun