When I saw The Melvins play last year after not seeing them play for around a decade, I was amazed by the fact that they were better than ever so when I found out they were coming back to town and playing a far superior club this time around, I was really excited to go. I didn’t even care that going to a late show would mean I’d be hurting the next day getting up early for work!
Big Business
Big Business
Big Business
After a near two hour wait during which time a DJ was playing some pretty good music, Big Business took the stage. I own one of their albums and saw them play once before so I knew I was in for good things. What I didn’t expect was for them to completely eclipse the good performance of last time. It is somewhat amazing that such a loud, thick and heavy sound comes from just three guys. While the heaviness was pounding its way into my chest, the singer was bellowing his lyrics with pretty good intensity, which only made the band sound even better. They had their share of fans in the audience this evening as well and I’m pretty sure many of those who weren’t before probably are after this showing. Their drummer alone is worth the effort of going to see them play, it is incredible the force with which he pounds those drums. I would hate it if he ever punched me because he could have the strongest arms in the world judging by his drumming prowess!
The Melvins
The Melvins
The Melvins
Since they share equipment, and members, it didn’t take long at all for The Melvins to be ready to play. See 2/3 of Big Business also happens to be 2/3 the rhythm section for The Melvins! There was a wall of near inter-tangled drum kits ready for their two-drummer assault. Buzz came on stage wearing another kimono and I almost think the bass player didn’t move since the Big Business set and was up there waiting to go.
The Melvins
The Melvins
The Melvins
When the band got started I instantly knew this was going to be a great show. The sound was so much clearer and better than the last time I saw them, not to mention the club is just so much better all around. The Melvins two-drummer attack has to be the most powerful force in rock music ever. Dale must have cloned himself to make the other guy because those two have to share the same thought waves to be able to be so in sync with each other’s playing. I swear when called for they were hitting their drums at exactly the same time with the same intense force. I said this before but it still holds true a year later, I could easily just watch those two play drums for a couple hours straight and not get bored of it because it is so amazing.
The Melvins
The Melvins
On top of that foundation came Buzz’s trademark guitar sounds which few have yet to match. His guitar sound is so heavy and full that you’d think there were three guitarists on stage. The bass player was delivering spot-on heavy bass lines that only added to the force of sound being thrown from that stage. I’ve seen a few different lineups of The Melvins and this is by far the most solid unit they’ve ever been.
The Melvins
They played nearly the entire new album, Nude With Boots, which really stands out to me as one of their best works yet. They sprinkled some other tunes in there as well. The crowd were in awe and heads were banging left and right around me. When they finished one song, they didn’t stop and would just start the next one right away. The only time they took a break in their main set was due to equipment problems which I’m sure were caused by the sheer force of the sound emitting from their instruments.
The Melvins
The Melvins
Of all the times I’ve seen The Melvins, including just last year with this same lineup, this is easily the best Melvins show I’ve witnessed. What’s amazing to me is that more than two decades after they started, The Melvins are better and more relevant than ever. I can’t of many bands that get better with age, let alone have the staying power as these guys do. When they were done playing their nice long set, the clock said it was nearly 2am! I knew I’d have a rough day at work the next day functioning on so little sleep, but in the end it was totally worth it.
My ears are still buzzing from the show. A bold statement from me is that is by far the best show I have seen in 20 years (granted I haven’t gotten out much in the last 10 or so). I am an instant fan of Big Business now and need to find their stuff for my ipod. I want to give a BIG thanks to Rob and the crew at Reggie’s for the great hospitality and look forward to many more shows there.
The last time I saw the Melvins was back in the 88 or 89. They have gotten so much better and more powerful over the years. They made me feel oh so young……
Punks not dead … it just has to put on a tie and go to work sometimes….
-m13