Mudhoney's future is in limbo following the band's departure from Reprise and the exit of bassist Matt Lukin.

According to singer/guitarist Mark Arm, Lukin's decision to quit the music business was not connected to the label's decision to ax the grunge pioneers. "When Matt told me he was giving up music, he also told me that he wished that he quit while we were still signed so that it'd be a ïfuck you' to them," says Arm. "I'm pretty sure that the fact that we got dropped had nothing to do with Matt's decision, rather his declining interest in music in general, and touring, in particular."

Arm hat he and bandmates guitarist Steve Turner and drummer Dan Peters are planning to take time off to consider their future. For now, they aren't seeking a replacement for Lukin.

The quartet's dismissal by Reprise after seven years and three albums came following disappointing sales of last year's critically acclaimed Tomorrow Hit Today. Arm says he isn't surprised by Reprise's move. "Reprise, like all major labels in 1999, is geared towards the big hit," he says. "We are not a big hit band."

"The label is not the same label we signed to," he continues. "In 1992, it was still considered an 'artist-friendly' label. A few years later, the label was virtually gutted, leaving less than a handful of people we had known from the previous regime. It seemed only a couple of people there [A&R rep David Katznelson and publicist Rick Gershon] knew we existed. It was an unhappy situation for all involved. I'm sure all parties are happier this way."

While Lukin plans to "become a hermit," Arm and Turner are working on a second Monkeywrench LP with Tom Price, Martin Bland and Tim Kerr. Drummer Peters plans to write and perform with Mike Johnson. Mudhoney are presently compiling a two-CD retrospective for Sub Pop. One disc will function as a "Best Of," hitting the high points from the band's Sub Pop and Reprise years, while the second will feature b-sides and rarities.