04/30/2003 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues

[anon]

I had just moved to Vegas about a week prior to this show so I had never seen a show at the H.O.B. which is in the Mandalay Bay Hotel/Casino in case anyone is wondering. I had bought my ticket while I was still in Washington so not knowing anyone in Vegas I bought a seated balcony seat so I could have a good view sit down and have a drink or two and let the all-agers tear up the downstairs non seated area.
Upon arriving at the show I was informed that they had not sold enough tickets, so they were not going to open the balcony. No sweat for me there is a huge bar downstairs and a railing to lean against, but a bummer for the bands I'm sure.
Mondo Generator, which is Nick Oliveri's(Queens of Stone...,Kyuss,Dwarves)band opened the evening early around 6 6:30 they had Brant Bjork(Kyuss, Fu Manchu,solo) on drums,Dave Catching, I believe, on guitar and I'm not sure who the gal playing bass was. Nick sang or screamed however u look at it. I only caught the last couple of songs unfortunately cuz I was out at the merch table eyeing the goodies. What I did see of them was good a little punkier sounding then I had expected and less desert/stoner rock than expected. I met Brant out by the merch table and he was very nice and a hella drummer(he's also a guitarist,bassist,etc.) he was selling his merch since Mondo had none.
Next up was the band I had been waiting to see ever since I first heard them a while back, SKELETON KEY! If you dig percussion you will love these guys 1 drummer and 1 percussion/noise/junk player both great. Then you have the great song writing/bass/and vocals of Erik Sanko a totally unique artist whose is every bit as awesome live as he is on disc.Finally guitarist Craig LeBlang who worked the stage and the guitar and completely tore it up, especially considering the fact that he and the other Keys had apparently had a horrible trip in to town. I can't say enough about how graet these guys were and again super nice people.(Erik sorry to hear about the leg!)
Finally The MELVINS who as usual blew my doors off and RULED!! I took up a spot out in front of Mr. Buzz O and got pummeled by the huge sound that is the Melvins> Kevin had a great night with Melvins, Dale ruled but seemed to be having some problems with his monitors, or it coulda just been his bright pink hair.They played what seemed to be mostly newer stuff, Buzz+ Kevin were still in their iron cross Moo Moos although Kevins is more like a shirt now.When I last saw Buzz with Fantomas in Seattle he looked to have thinned down quite a bit, but at this show he looked like he had gained a bit back ( a healthier look)either way the Tuneage was unreal and they surrounded the audience and smashed us.
Last was Tomahawk supporting and selling their new disc Mit Gas. Mike started off the evening by getting his cord wrapped around one of his two racks sitting center stage and toppoling it to the ground. He took it in stride but it musta sucked. They all wore Karate outfits, Kevins even matched everyone elses. They were great but unfortunately for me or them The Melvins are a nearly impossible act to follow as far as I am concerned so all I can say was good show thanks to Mike Patton for making it happen.The new Tomahawk disc is great, the Melvins had 3 shirt desings 1 that included Tomahawk and they were selling the trilogy triple lps for $50.
DON'T MISS THIS SHOW IF U CAN GO MAKE SURE YOU DO!!
Lovely Butterfly
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