Lithium Magazine

www.myspace.com/themelvins

Review by: Alex Young
Photos by Mike Bax

After twenty-five years of disgruntled, distorted and contorted rock music, the Melvins are still alive and continuing to drool their dysfunctional breed of distorted grooves while touring North America.  Music lovers unhappy with the state of alternative music, with a desire to know where feedback met melody, or sonic brutality met structure in the realm of alternative rock, met the Melvins.

The Melvins formed in 1983 amidst the hardcore punk explosion in America, thanks to the strong scenes in DC, LA and New York. While other underground bands were attempting to be faster than Black Flag, more controversial than the Dead Kennedys, louder than Sonic Youth, and more unforgiving than Minor Threat, the Melvins played slower than Black Sabbath. It might be hard to believe that the band has carved out such a dedicated audience, but the legacy and influence this band continues to create is undeniable. The Melvins have had an impact on music ranging from Nirvana, Tool, Neurosis and Mastodon, leaving a mantle that countless bands aspire to reach.  But, King Buzzo and company continue to harness a sound that’s entirely their own.  

Since the Melvins have not come to Canada for a decade, their performance was a celebration of their disfigured creations over the last twenty-five years. The band opened with the opening tracks from their latest album “The Bride Screamed Murder” before jumping into fan favourites from albums like 1993’s “Houdini” and 2006’s “(A) Senile Animal”, among others. The tracks “Set Me Straight”, “Civilized Worm” and the intense version of “Night Goat” sent shivers throughout the room.

What really separates the Melvins from so many artists as a live act is the fact they’ve been playing with both members of Big Business since 2006, as well as playing with two drummers. The sheer density of the band’s live sound is enough to conjure up an audio hurricane that’s as precise as the tip of a scalpel. The hypnotic component of the show was seeing Coady Willis and Dale Crover play drums completely in tandem, then solo, only to snap back into a symmetrical rhythmic synchronicity. Another unanticipated part of the Melvins set was hearing the band pull off four-part harmonies, even while they were whistling on songs like “Pig House”. After an acapella cover encore of “Okie from Muskogee” by Merle Haggard from the 2000 album “The Crybaby”, the Melvins packed it up and headed back to America. Though Buzz Osbourne’s afro is turning greyer with every passing day, you wouldn’t know it to see him and the band perform.  The band’s set was filled with primal energy and is not soon to be forgotten.

Set List
1.) The Water Glass
2.) Evil New War God
3.) Amazon
4.) Talking Horse
5.) Kicking Machine
6.) Billy Fish
7.) Pinhead (Ramones Cover)
8.) Set Me Straight
9.) Drum solo
10.) Sky Pup
11.) Black Bock
12.) Pig House
13.) Electric Flower
14.) Sacrifice (Flipper Cover)
15.) Civilized Worm
16.) Oven
17.) Black Stooges
18.) Bacon Industry
19.) Night Goat