Maxwell's - Hoboken, NJ - Show #31

[ZAPPAJOE]

Great show, of course.  I had seen them at Maxwell's in 2006 on the ASA tour so I was psyched coming back to see them at this venue.  It's like seeing the Melvins in your basement.  The stage is about a foot off the ground, the band has to walk in through the crowd to get on and off the stage, and there's no barrier or anything like that.

The front of the place is like a bar & grill type restaurant.  This time, as well as when I saw them in 2006 I made sure I got there early and hung around the bar.  The guys were pretty much hanging around the bar area and where they had merch set up in the front of the restaurant.   Brian Wallsby came up to get some drinks right next to where I was sitting to I said Hi and asked how it the tour was going.  He said it was going great that they all felt it was actually probably one of their easiest tours because of it being such a small amount of people.  I felt weird acting like a big fanboy, but I did approach Dale at one point as he walked through the bar.  I told him I was at the show the night before and that they sounded great.  He said it should be a good show tonight and that it was a nice intimate venue. 

During the band intros Dale mentioned that it was Brian Wallsby's birthday  and that he liked cocaine, booze, and whores.  Buzz said yes, that he liked to get a whore for the night, get her drunk, watch her do cocaine . . . and then send her dome.  Because that's the safest way to spend the night with a whore of course.  Buzz also told a story how they had played Maxwell's way way back with Helmet.  He said Helmet had an Australian guitar player at the time who told Buzz how horrible they were and made him a list of everything he was doing wrong.  SHortly after, he was thrown out of Helmet and Buzz likes to think he takes credit  for that. 

The set went off without a hitch.  Really sounded great and Trevor Dunn is pretty freakin incredible.  Between his solo spot and watching him play the riff from Eletric Flower on the upright, it's really just nuts how good he is on that thing.  He earns his money just between those two performances.

[jonE5]

Great show, of course.  I had seen them at Maxwell's in 2006 on the ASA tour so I was psyched coming back to see them at this venue.  It's like seeing the Melvins in your basement.  The stage is about a foot off the ground, the band has to walk in through the crowd to get on and off the stage, and there's no barrier or anything like that.

The front of the place is like a bar & grill type restaurant.  This time, as well as when I saw them in 2006 I made sure I got there early and hung around the bar.  The guys were pretty much hanging around the bar area and where they had merch set up in the front of the restaurant.   Brian Wallsby came up to get some drinks right next to where I was sitting to I said Hi and asked how it the tour was going.  He said it was going great that they all felt it was actually probably one of their easiest tours because of it being such a small amount of people.  I felt weird acting like a big fanboy, but I did approach Dale at one point as he walked through the bar.  I told him I was at the show the night before and that they sounded great.  He said it should be a good show tonight and that it was a nice intimate venue. 

During the band intros Dale mentioned that it was Brian Wallsby's birthday  and that he liked cocaine, booze, and whores.  Buzz said yes, that he liked to get a whore for the night, get her drunk, watch her do cocaine . . . and then send her dome.  Because that's the safest way to spend the night with a whore of course.  Buzz also told a story how they had played Maxwell's way way back with Helmet.  He said Helmet had an Australian guitar player at the time who told Buzz how horrible they were and made him a list of everything he was doing wrong.  SHortly after, he was thrown out of Helmet and Buzz likes to think he takes credit  for that. 

The set went off without a hitch.  Really sounded great and Trevor Dunn is pretty freakin incredible.  Between his solo spot and watching him play the riff from Eletric Flower on the upright, it's really just nuts how good he is on that thing.  He earns his money just between those two performances.

Nice review man.. Sounds like it was an awesome place to see Melvins

[DejaGravy]

It was nuts. A little bummed with those dudes talking during Lividity. Probably one of the best versions I've heard and theres 3 "bros" standing there talking shit. Do us a favor, go play in traffic at night while wearing all black clothing.

[thomas]

they didnt play lividity......

[anaconda]

I think he meant Shevil

[Idlehanz]

they didnt play lividity......

Probably meant Shevil.  And yea, Trevors work in that song is beautiful. It makes a totally different song.

[thomas]

yeah trevor really made it sound like a horror movie soundtrack

[jonE5]

they didnt play lividity......

Probably meant Shevil.  And yea, Trevors work in that song is beautiful. It makes a totally different song.

It was a highlight when I saw them too. It is now the definitive version for me

[ZAPPAJOE]

Before the tour started I was going through some youtube clips and this clip from Shevil back in July 2011 came up...


Melvins lite "shevil" - detroit bar - costa mesa CA 7-12-11

I was looking forward to seeing it since then, but really it really is a highlight - even though it signifies the end of the show once it's over 

[glen]

It was a highlight when I saw them too. It is now the definitive version for me

just for argument's sake... the only thing I didn't like about Shevil live with Trevor were the vocals.   its one of those songs that needs that whispery vocal style. especially with Trev on stand-up.   Buzz kinda shouted the vocals.  I realize that shouting works much better in a live setting.  but I would like to hear that track studio recorded with trevor and the proper vocal style.  then I say its the definitive version.

[thomas]

it is a song you want to do whispery but he always sings it like that when i've seen them perform that live before especially in the choruses without dunn there.....buzz does that on lots of songs where his vocals are low on the album but he doesnt do that live like on ti[ping the lion.....those vocals are soft but when he does it live the vocals become much harsher

[DejaGravy]

I think he meant Shevil

Totally. I only go on forums when I'm drunk. Speaking of.....

[ZAPPAJOE]

I know this show is ancient history at this point, but here's a complete video of the entire show:


Melvins - Melvins lite - Hoboken, NJ 10 - 5 -12. [FULL SHOW]

Also, on a sad note, that club is closing for good this week.  Like I said in my review of the show last year, it was an awesome place to see any band.  Very small, intimate venue.  It's a shame it will be no more.

[Fureon Nectarmoon]

just for argument's sake... the only thing I didn't like about Shevil live with Trevor were the vocals.   its one of those songs that needs that whispery vocal style. especially with Trev on stand-up.   Buzz kinda shouted the vocals.  I realize that shouting works much better in a live setting.  but I would like to hear that track studio recorded with trevor and the proper vocal style.  then I say its the definitive version.

This is what bugs me about any live performance of Shevil, or for that matter, any Melvins song with quiet vocals
It's not so bad on Endless Residency, though.
Too bad I never heard how those "An Evening With The Melvins" shows sounded.

[Shaolin]

It was nuts. A little bummed with those dudes talking during Lividity. Probably one of the best versions I've heard and theres 3 "bros" standing there talking shit. Do us a favor, go play in traffic at night while wearing all black clothing.

Wait, people were TALKING? My god, they must've drowned out the amps! Assholes