:D OH HELL YEAH !! IT'S TIME TO FUCKIN' ROCK ' N ' ROLL !!! :D
(http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/seder71/4Melvins.jpg)
I just got back from the melvins. Still a little in shock, I haven't had time to fully absorb the experience, and I'm tired and have to work tomorrow, so this review will be half-baked.
Isis was headlining, and the melvins only played an hour. They packed in an awful lot, so it seemed a little rushed. Still, it was a perfect way to end my eight-year (!) melvins-less drought.
I still consider the Kevin era to be the melvins' golden age, and even though Kevin brought an inimitable, dionysian sort of rawness to the sound and the goings-on, there was still much happening here that just could not be replicated sans Jared and Coady. Obviously, I'm talking about the vocal harmonies and the double-drumming. (The latter was something I experienced for the first time tonight; more on the later, but for now suffice it to say ... WOW.) I think Jared and Coady have nurtured Buzz and Dale's inner rock-god, and that's a good thing. The material from the last three albums, played live, have a populist, fist-pumping, hand-clapping, foot-stomping quality to them. Half the time, I was nodding my head as if to say, "Yes. YES. THIS ROCKS!" The other half, I was shaking my head, as if to say, "No, no -- DON'T STOP A ROCKIN'."
As anthemic as the TBSM material is, it's also borderline progressive. If I had four video cameras, I'd train them on each band member, watch each angle on its own from start to finish and never feel like I was watching the same show. The songs on their own are complex enough, but each player's depth of skill adds extra dimensions to the songs that just can't be observed watching any other band. This is quantum string-theory rock.
If I have one criticism about the whole affair tonight, it's Jared. At times, it seemed like he just couldn't get the sound I had been expecting. I guess I like my music the way I like my women -- with a big, fat low-end. I had seen him with Big Business, and it just seemed like he had his bass turned up to maybe an 8 out of 11, like during "The Talking Horse." Also, during "Black Stooges" (hurray for HAT!), it seemed like he was either playing it slightly differently than Kevin or was struggling with it. Just goes to show what a long shadow Goldilocks cast, I suppose.
Now, the dual drumming. People have been saying the current lineup has blown them away -- I think they mean this literally. At times, I could feel myself actually, physically being pushed back by the concussive force of the drums. And I was in the balcony, at the back of the room. I don't know whether I was jealous of the guys standing directly in front of the bass drums, or just sorry for them. The physicality -- something else unique to the current lineup -- was especially evident in the set-closers, "Hung Bunny" and "Roman Bird Dog." I won't go into a lot of detail on this because it's late, but I honestly believe this was how these songs were meant to be played.
Here's the setlist, as best as I can remember.
Sacrifice
A Civilized Worm
Black Stooges
Anaconda
Pig House
Electric Flower
Lovely Butterfly (tease)
AMAZON
The Talking Horse
The Water Glass
Evil New War God
The Kicking Machine
Billy Fish
Hung Bunny
Roman Bird Dog
Maybe I'll add more to this review later.
Great review Mike!
Quote from: dead mike on June 16, 2010, 11:09:19 PMThe physicality -- something else unique to the current lineup -- was especially evident in the set-closers, "Hung Bunny" and "Roman Bird Dog." I won't go into a lot of detail on this because it's late, but I honestly believe this was how these songs were meant to be played.
I agree so, so much here. I just can't picture Hung Bunny and Roman Bird Dog being played any better. To be honest I thought Jared was exactly what made these songs work so well. He just seemed perfect for it. I wish I could explain better but it's just too hard for me.
Another interesting point you brought up is about The Melvins being progressive. I met this one guy wearing a "The Who" T Shirt while standing in line. To paraphrase the conversation:
The Who T Shirt Guy, "My friend told me to come because he is a huge fan and could watch them 40 times. He said since I liked grunge I'd probably like them. What do they sound like?"
Me, "Well if you like grunge there's a good chance you'll like them but I don't consider them to be a grunge band at all."
The Who T Shirt Guy, "So are they more like a metal or progressive band?"
Me, "....Actually now that I think about it...a little of both but I wouldn't consider them to be either. They're just The Melvins."
Anyway, glad you enjoyed the show and thanks for the well written review!
Your conversation is a position I've been in many times. People even think they are supposed to be hearing "grunge" because Kurt Cobain "liked" them.
My Review: The Show Was Fanfukintastic !!! Special thanks to A.D.Gore for getting my wife and I backstage.
(http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/seder71/SSS%20June%2016%202010/MelvinsJune16th2010034.jpg)
(http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/seder71/SSS%20June%2016%202010/MelvinsJune16th2010105.jpg)
(http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/seder71/SSS%20June%2016%202010/MelvinsJune16th2010009.jpg)
(http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/seder71/SSS%20June%2016%202010/MelvinsJune16th2010103.jpg)
Great pictures Jizz!
Man, Isis's set was annoying
Did anyone ask about the mask?
did they have any posters for this show? i'd really like to pick one up, it was my son's 2nd birthday yesterday.
Quote from: Cato Fong on June 17, 2010, 07:56:47 AM
did they have any posters for this show? i'd really like to pick one up, it was my son's 2nd birthday yesterday.
no posters,no buckles.....something to do with the club wanting too big of a cut or something ?
But, there still might be a poster for it....I dunno.
Quote from: bUTTHOLEmAN on June 17, 2010, 07:23:01 AM
Did anyone ask about the mask?
What mask ?
:D
His face got cold.
Quote from: >>>JZS<<< on June 17, 2010, 12:57:34 PM
Quote from: Cato Fong on June 17, 2010, 07:56:47 AM
did they have any posters for this show? i'd really like to pick one up, it was my son's 2nd birthday yesterday.
no posters,no buckles.....something to do with the club wanting too big of a cut or something ?
But, there still might be a poster for it....I dunno.
Quote from: bUTTHOLEmAN on June 17, 2010, 07:23:01 AM
Did anyone ask about the mask?
What mask ?
I was ticked off I couldn't snag a t-shirt. It took me an hour to get to the club (thanks, Metro!), and by the time I got there they only had one of the Nazi Eagle shirts, but in XL, and alas I am an L. There's always ebay, I suppose.
Anyone else bummed there was no karp cover?
Personally, I'm a little mad it was Isis and the Melvins. I wanted more Melvins, less angry-whale noises and screaming power chords from ISIS.
Also, did they play "heather moves and eyes"? The set list online says yes, but I didn't hear it.
Quote from: turnacus on June 17, 2010, 11:06:38 PM
Also, did they play "heather moves and eyes"? The set list online says yes, but I didn't hear it.
No siree bob. I'm also positive that the setlist initially posted is wrong, Anaconda was the 2nd song.
I had the time of my fuckin life. This was my 5th Melvins show and they just progressively keep getting better and better. I met Buzz beforehand AND left before Isis. :D
Quote from: turnacus on June 17, 2010, 10:40:44 PM
Anyone else bummed there was no karp cover?
#-o
i miss kevin. at least they'll play anaconda.
sigh.
will weigh in if its worth its weight on the lates.
Quote from: dontyoutellme on June 18, 2010, 02:30:52 PM
i miss kevin. at least they'll play anaconda.
sigh.
will weigh in if its worth its weight on the lates.
I miss nickle bags.IMO, Jared Kicks Ass ! .....and he can stand still for 5 seconds. :lol:
Here's a pic of Mr. Warren gettin' ready to Kick Washington, D.C.'s Collective Ass...(http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/seder71/SSS%20June%2016%202010/MelvinsJune16th2010004.jpg)
....Fuck Ian MacKaye ! :lol:
Quote from: erin on June 18, 2010, 08:29:47 AM
Quote from: turnacus on June 17, 2010, 11:06:38 PM
Also, did they play "heather moves and eyes"? The set list online says yes, but I didn't hear it.
No siree bob. I'm also positive that the setlist initially posted is wrong, Anaconda was the 2nd song.
I had the time of my fuckin life. This was my 5th Melvins show and they just progressively keep getting better and better. I met Buzz beforehand AND left before Isis. :D
Quote from: turnacus on June 17, 2010, 10:40:44 PM
Anyone else bummed there was no karp cover?
#-o
Out of curiosity, where did you stand for the show?
Also, did anyone else notice there was a fuck ton of photographers?