Small's Bar Detroit 8-5

[glen]

well,   I'll give you my take and let Mount Ambulance, Armofinfant, Jozzy, EGO and anyone else who was there chime in.

got in town early after my copilot pussed out on me at the last minute because he was "too tired" to go to the show.  so in my pissed-off state I took off for detroit probably 3 hours earlier than I should have.   so I wasted my extra time by throwing my money away at the greektown casino downtown. headed over to the venue about a half hour before doors and ran into moss and dale buying booze and junk food at the hood party store across the street.  they had 3 bags of chips, cookies, booze, bread, etc.    I asked moss if morning star rising was playing and his answer was "maybe" I then asked if dale would be on drums and again got a "maybe".   

got in and B-lined it for the merch table.  introduced myself to Walsby and chatted for a few. he told me a little about his new band.   seemed like a hell of a guy. picked up one of the Grumpy's 3 cd sets ($50, ouch!), the comic book and a couple posters. Walsby was kind enough to hold it all for me behind the table after telling me he had room for "me and me only"
I thought that called for a generous tip.  there was still basically nobody in the place so when dale walked by a few minutes later with an LA dodgers shirt on I grabbed his attention and asked him about the manny ramirez trade.  that seemed to spark his interest because he then stopped and spent a few minutes talking about the dodgers, tigers, etc. with me.  he seemed very passionate and knowledgable about the dodgers and glad to find someone to share his thoughts on the subject.  I was, of course, slightly overwhelmed to be talking to the legend that is dale crover about something I have interest in as well. it was like we were both fighting to get the next thought out on ramirez, the dodgers, and baseball in general.  but I thought it best to let him go about his business so after a few minutes I told him I didn't want to keep him any longer and he said "take care" or something and wandered away.

before I get to the actual sets I'll mention the fine folks from the board I met or re-met.   armofinfant: always a treat.  although I was disappointed he did not let me sit on his shoulders during big business. EGO the living planet: fine human being although by the end of the show he seemed to be about 2, 2 1/2 sheets to the wind. Jozz: only met briefly right before the melvins set.  next time we'll try to cross paths earlier.   Mount Ambulance and his crew: really cool guy. someone I could relate to.  hope to see you again at a future show Mount. I would have liked to have sat and dumped down a few beers with you afterwards if we both didn't have a million miles to home.  next time.

now to the music.  morning star rising eased in.  I think most people didn't realize a set was starting. the just thought some hairy biker looking dude was sound checking.    then toshi came out and did his thing.  some guy next to me said "is the asian guy playing anything or just fixing pedals?"  I didn't bother to answer.  when dale walked out  people realized this was a planned event and began to cheer.  dale, of course, made the set with his hybrid version of SafetyThird over moss and toshi's soundscape. I thought it was cool but I'd take a porn set anyday over that. 
next big business.   ridiculously long break between msr and bb.  the crowd was gettng anxious.   people were chanting "big business!  big business!"  until jared finally came out and apologized for the delay. same set as before although I had a hard time with their set because I got corraled into a corner and couldn't see shit.  they seemed plagued with technical difficulties and apologized for it a couple times.  but all in all better than most bands I've seen live. I bailed for a bathroom break and fresh beer before their last song after reading that the break was really short between big business and melvins.   I read wrong.   another looooong break between bands.  now to the MELVINS.

I've seen the melvins many times now over the years.   at least a dozen.  this set was one of the tightest.  allow me to loosely quote grim by saying if you have any questions about this line-up go see this tour. it will silence the naysayers.
dale and coady have got it down pact right now.  the drumming was impecable. really though, across the board the set was impecable.   amazing sound, amazing timing.  plus all 4 guys seemed completely into the moment.   after seeing the melvins on an off night once or twice in the past I'll say this was the opposite end of the spectrum.  I stood in front of buzz and I'll agree with everyone who says he has this uncanny way of seeming like he is looking right at YOU.  kinda like those pictures of jesus where no matter where you are in the room it looks like his eyes are on you.  maybe its the hair.
but anyway, they tore through the same set.   by the time they got to the (A)SA meddly it was about 130degrees F in the place. the sweat was rolling. I expected a dirtier version of my generation.  this was slow and bluesy, but clean.  it sounded damn good actually with dale and coady whinning out the vocals.   then the star spangled banner which everyone in my area sang along with.  then... BORIS.    oh man.     without a doubt, the best version of boris ever.  two drummers and 3 vocalists make that song.  there were indeed goosebumps up and down my spine.  dale and coady stayed in during the ending for an occasional double "THUMP!",  buzz dragging out the "boris knows.... and boris likes it all."    jared with the neck of his bass under his throat making his now famous whale calls.   finally only buzz left standing.   he thanked everyone for coming out and gave some advice on purchasing lottery tickets and that was it.
I was ready for 4 or 5 more songs.  some jerky behind me yelled "DISINVITE!!"  over and over again when the show was obviously over.    said my goodbyes to jozz, EGO, and ambulance butdidn't see armofinfant again.
drove home the 2 hours wishing I was heading for Cleveland.   next time.

uumm.. any questions? 

[Idlehanz]

No questions here.  Great review!

[Jozz]

uumm.. any questions? 

I think your account of the evening pretty much nails it.

Great, great show...Although, like you pointed out, it was WAY to fucking hot in that place. It seemed like if I nodded my head to the music just a little then I'd sweat a gallon. They need a better way to keep that place cool because there was zero ventilation in there.

It was great to see Tipping the Lion and Boris...Buzzo actually seemed like he kinda wanted to do some crowd interaction, but when he tried to have people ask questions, the crowd of overtly drunk people just drowned each other out and annoyed Buzzo. So he just started back into the set again.

Only bummer of the evening for me was my lack of fundage. So I had to make a choice between the Melvins Detroit poster or a Walsby poster depicting Buzzo, Dale, and Bob Seger   I went with the Walsby. Oh yeah, and he held onto the poster for me also. I did throw him a tip for doing so. Seemed like a real nice guy.

It was good meeting you, Glen. I only talked to Armo for a brief second, but it was cool seeing him as well.

[black stallion]

i'm curious about Honey Bucket,how does it sound with the new line up?

[Jozz]

i'm curious about Honey Bucket,how does it sound with the new line up?

Tighter than a nuns cooch.

[cheeseburger]

i'm curious about Honey Bucket,how does it sound with the new line up?

Tighter than a nuns cooch.

and just as brutal.

[bUTTHOLEmAN]

Was Armo on the speed again?

[Mount Ambulance]

   Hell yeah, Glen nailed it ... another great showing of the Melvins in Detroit Rock City! As per usual we hit the road late for a 3.5 hr drive from the Toronto area, hit boarder hassels, got lost? in a city where I've easily seen 50 gigs in the last 10yrs ... always hope it'll be different ... it never is. Get to Smalls' bout 10-15 mins. before Moss & Co. hit the stage. Hit the Merch stand ... said hi & chatted w/ Walsby for a sec. Gave him a Melvins dvd I was supposed to but forgot to send in a trade a couple yrs. ago ... figured he wouldn't really remember ... he did. Not in a bad way or anything ... but like "oh yeah, the dude w/ the Canadian hardcore stuff right? Cool, thanks man!" Talked a little more later ... cool guy ... talked to him a couple times online ... nice to meet ... even gave me a free Grumpys' poster at the end of the night.  But damn those Melvins! Dropped like $100 on Merch ... coulda dropped more ... probably will Thursday & Friday ... ouch!! Picked up the Trick or Riddle, some cds, & Grumpys' set ... but other than the Grumpys' no old posters ... bummed me out ... I'm big on posters & there has been some really cool ones this tour.

  Went inside main room ... as I was already, still spying for Glen. Though the loose description he gave fit alota people ... lots of army shorts & black t-shits. Though I know I don't stick out like a sore thumb either, so good thing Glens' got a sharp eye. He came up and introed himself ... Ha ha ha ... after meeting Glen, it is obvious why he writes a great review ... always cool to meet another Melvins freak , really don't come cross too many ya know? It's funny, alot people round here talk 'bout how their a Melvins island unto themselves ... even their closest friends just don't "get it" ... you can totally see/feel it when someone does though ... an' it was obvious ... as fuckin' cheeseball as it might sound ... its' heart warming. More importantly, Glen was a great guy ... which really wasn't a huge suprise ... thanks for the props Glen ... shame it was as brief ... totally agree over a beer I'm sure more than Melvins would crop up ... I'm sure the paths will cross again. Didn't meet anyone else from here ... though I believe Armofinfant was standing just infront of us ... if that is who Glen pointed out when saying who else attended ... hope everyone had a great night ...

  Alright, nuff w/ the mushy stuff ... onto the gig. As I said Glen nailed ... whats' to say? Moss & Co. was pretty cool I thought ... but I'm big on noise & ambient type stuff, so it was right up my alley ... though it didn't really connect ... half interested crowd, anticipation for Melvins, being relatively "straight" ... ummm having to stand ... in a different setting, playing a longer set ... woulda been much deeper & heady ... but it was still pretty decent.

  Big Biz ... I've bagged on the Biz a bit in the past ... sayin' things like: "Their cool but I don't really need to see 'em open for Melvins everytime, ya know?" A sentiment I still hold ... but in real life openers usually blow hard ... a complete and annoying interference to what I'm waiting for ... an' at least the Biz don't suck ... They were great ... the new tunes? were awesome ... fuck the duo purists ... adding Toshi adds a whole new element ... the stability of a "real" guitarist shows ... shit sounds hot!

  An of course ... The Melvins!! Of course it was great as I knew it would be ... they never disapoint. Glen speaks of seeing some off nights ... glad in the 20 plus shows I've seen 'em plays since 1989-90 I never have ... of course some have stood out more or just had that Magic ... seems Detroit an' even Smalls' an' the crowd there bring that Magic out ... compared to some of the other Detroit shows I've seen ... the ones' at Smalls' just seem a little more "ON" (though shows round the HAT period at St. Andrews always had that vibe too). The place is nice ... small, compact, comfy, easy to see, nice sound ... crowd always seems to really be diggin' it ... and so does the band. Even though I actually liked this one better, the last show at Smalls' seemed even a little more "ON" ... at least crowd wise ... seemed a little thinner & less vocal this time round ... But not by much ... & shit the Mevins were on fire!! Tight as hell ... an' God those double drums ... I'll never tire of that spectacle ... WOW! Sounded great ... nice mix, volume, seperation ... found harmony & Jared vocals on the last tour a little weak ... sounded great this time 'round ... Amazing set list ... though knowing said setlist & having heard some shows from this tour was kinda a distraction ... like a clock ticking away ... damn my obsessive Melvins contition! But c'mon ... Eye Flys, Tipping the Lion, Honey Bucket ... hell yes! An' the new stuff sounds devestating ... pretty much all of it standout ... the Dog Island/Dies Irea arc was phenomanal ... and kicking Machine & Nude w/ Boots as I've said before ... fuck Van Halen or whatever the kids listen to these days these are perfect summer beach ball rock ... though I didn't see any beachballs ... Stuff off ASA even better this time round ... Blood Witch has a highlight ... I donno though I could do without Civilized Worm ... a least fave for me ... and least fave or not ... overplayed! Though it got the biggest crowd reaction ... ??? Even bigger than Boris!!?? Fuckin' Boris was the cherry on top ... and the whip creme & chocolate sauce too! Heavy & Lurching ... had me practically losing my shit ... and that vocal outro ... pure Creepy Crawl ... best Boris I've ever seen ... beutiful way to close it down ... Three Cheers for the Melvins!

  On a side note ... thats' a great Dale & Baseball story Glen ... I'm sure they dig a little conversation from fans that doesn't revole round the band ... and the typical "man your so great" or what not ... They already know their great ... just ask Buzz! And I'm sure from the fan perspective its more engaging to actually talk than just gush an' get a well meaning but fully practiced "thanks' we do it for the fans" response ...

  And that party store where you saw Moss & Dale? WTF!!! That place was insane ... WOW! Completely assulting ... bright, loud, garish, exessive ... It was like walking into a freaking carnival or pinball machine or something ... I couldn't get outta there fast enough ... though had I dropped a tab of acid ... I could have stayed there all night!

   Jozz mentions the crowd interaction thing ... at the end after everyone exited the stage Buzz still up there, asks the crowd: "So, what you guys been upto since we were here last". To which the crowd drunkenly called out their responses ... and through the din this catches my ear: "I built a sweet patio!" Fucking hilarious!! God I hope that shows up on the tape!

[bathroom creep]

   On a side note ... thats' a great Dale & Baseball story Glen ... I'm sure they dig a little conversation from fans that doesn't revole round the band ... and the typical "man your so great" or what not ... They already know their great ... just ask Buzz! And I'm sure from the fan perspective its more engaging to actually talk than just gush an' get a well meaning but fully practiced "thanks' we do it for the fans" response ...

I agree. The only problem with me is that I never really know what to say other than things like "...nice to meet ya... it's an honor... blah blah", I guess I wouldn't be able to talk about random stuff. My brain is kinda weird, it doesn't work properly in situations like that. So I reckon sometimes it's better if I don't say anything at all.

Oh, and nice reviews so far.  I'm thrilled.

[Jozz]

Jozz mentions the crowd interaction thing ... at the end after everyone exited the stage Buzz still up there, asks the crowd: "So, what you guys been upto since we were here last". To which the crowd drunkenly called out their responses ... and through the din this catches my ear: "I built a sweet patio!" Fucking hilarious!! God I hope that shows up on the tape!

Was it at the end? I could've sworn it was somewhere in the middle of the set that he asked that. Guess my brain is still having a hard time computing the complete awesomeness that was going on in front of me last night.

[GrimReaper]

Thanks for the great reviews. I can sleep now.

[EGO the Living Planet]

Not much I can add here. It was good to see Glen and sorry I didn't get a chance to say "Hi" to any of the rest of you. Next time.

I was too tight on funds this week to spend any at the merch table (I have $15 to last me till Wednesday) . Which blows.  I reeeeaaaaaalllllly wanted on of the Melvins vs. Minneapolis sets.

Not three sheets to the wind, but some dude did share a smoke with me during the MELVINS set (plus by the middle of the set the heat was really getting to me). Big thanks to whoever that was.

Didn't get a chance to talk to any of the band or Walsby (with no money to spend I didn't want to stand around the merch booth).  I only got to say a quick "Great show!" to Moss. I did however get to talk to Mick Collins and Ben Blackwell of the Dirtbombs who were in attendance. So was John Brannon, which was apparently noticed by whoever was choosing the music between sets, 'cause they kept playing Laughing Hyenas and Easy Action albums. 

[Jozz]

Not three sheets to the wind, but some dude did share a smoke with me during the MELVINS set (plus by the middle of the set the heat was really getting to me). Big thanks to whoever that was.   

Could've been me or my buddy We shared with a few people last night.

[Idlehanz]

I was really hoping to see a Melvins show at Smalls next year, but I cannot handle place without ventilation, and that much heat.  I may have to reconsider.

[Jozz]

I was really hoping to see a Melvins show at Smalls next year, but I cannot handle place without ventilation, and that much heat.  I may have to reconsider.

It was pretty brutal.  I had to take a shower immediately after getting home because the clothes I was wearing were completely drenched and nasty. Overall, it's a great venue to see them in but they really have to do something about the airflow.