The first time I saw the Melvins live was back in 1995. Susan bought me tickets to go see White Zombie in concert — The Melvins and Reverend Horton Heat opened up for them. The Melvins have always been known as being a little bizarre if not temperamental, and when the anxious crowd began chanting “WHITE. ZOMBIE. WHITE. ZOMBIE.” about two songs into the Melvins’ set, lead guitarist/vocalist King Buzzo announced something to the effect of, “Here’s our new song called ’30 Minutes of Feedback’.” With that, the band leaned their instruments up against the speakers causing a terrible squeal. The sound man, I suspect not knowing if this was part of the band’s regular show or not, let the instruments scream for a minute or two before cutting the sound. Everyone in the crowd looked at one another, slightly bewildered. A few minutes later the stage was cleared, White Zombie came on, and that was the end of that.
Skip forward a couple of years and I discover and meet Oil Filter. Everyone in Oil Filter loves the Melvins. A few years later I discover and meet Totimoshi. Totimoshi cites the Melvins as a major influence. I keep meeting people who praise The Melvins. And so, repeatedly, I buy random Melvins albums and they’re all terrible. Then, when I tell people which ones I bought, they tell me “Oh yeah, that one’s terrible — you shouldn’t have bought that one!” Groan.
Over the years I’ve found Melvins albums I enjoy, but more than that, I find their music more interesting and challenging than simply “fun”. Last month I heard that the Melvins were playing again in Oklahoma. I mentioned it to Susan, and she bought us tickets … which leads us to last Tuesday night.
The Melvins were scheduled to play the Diamond Ballroom, which holds, oh, 1,000 people (a complete guess). I assume due to low ticket sales, the show was moved to the Conservatory, which holds a couple hundred. So the bad news is that the Conservatory was very packed and very hot. The good news was, Susan and I stood ten feet away from the band all night.
Since 2006, the Melvins have performed as a four piece — that’s one guitarist (who also sings), one bassist, and two drummers. The end result is very heavy, very bassy, and very loud. The show Tuesday night was no exception, especially in the small hall of the Conservatory. I had no problem hearing the band perform Tuesday night. In fact, I have no problems hearing the ringing in my ears still, two days later.
The older Susan and I get, the more we tend to see entertainers as humans, and the less romantic the lifestyle of a musician sounds. Behind the club were a couple of white vans, obviously used to transport instruments and Melvins. Susan spent much of the night people watching, noting how curious it was that King Buzzo (the band’s lead singer) would wear a full length velvet coat in a 100 degree club, and how the girl next to the guy Susan was standing to would kiss her man every time she noticed Susan standing there.
Without an opener, the Melvins played two full sets in that small club, taking a break in the middle to drink some water and answer questions from the crowd, and ending their second set with an a capella version of “Proud to be an Okie from Muskogee”.
Much better than the first time we saw them, The Melvins redeemed themselves Tuesday night.
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/earplugs.jpg
Tinnitus is totally not worth it.
Yea man, when the heck are you going to start wearing earplugs to shows? I started doing it about 7 years ago and my ears are still thinking me today. Bands play so loud that you can still hear the songs just fine with them in.
I had a similar experience when I went to a Tool concert (they were a heavy rock band) in the mid 90’s, but the result was far worse! The opening band was a couple of overweight balding guys playing folky rock guitar music. I didn’t know who they were at the time, but apparently I was in the minority of those who were enjoying their music. Because midway through the first song most of the crowd was booing and chanting “Tool, Tool, Tool”. They preservered and played 4-5 songs though the taunting.
Then the main act Tool came on stage. The lead singer chewed us out for giving the opening act such a hard time, then they started into sound track of squealing tires and feedback that probably looped for a half hour before someone finally pulled the plug and we all went home.
A few years later, I went to a concert at the same arena to see this great new band fun rock band. I had one of their albums and really enjoyed their music. So, they get up on stage and say “So, the last time we were here, you guys didn’t give us such a warm welcome.” Then it hit me… the Tool concert crowd had boo’ed Jack Black’s Tenacious D off the stage!
I have to admit as much as I enjoyed their music, goofy folky rock is an odd choice for an opening band for a metal concert. :-)
Two questions:
1. Did they reprise their song “30 minutes of feedback”?
and
2. Ever saw White Zombie in concert again since 1995?
Oh, wait, 3 questions:
3. Ever bought a White Zombie album/CD/mp3?
No, they actually played real songs and we had a really good time – the drummers provide a very interesting study in teamwork and on-stage communication (there were lots of times I’d realize that they were a) watching each other and, b) both playing complex drumbeats and fills exactly the same, perfectly.). I couldn’t understand a single word of the entire set, except the Okie from Muskogee, which I thought was a very thoughtful gesture on the Melvins’ part.
I think because of our days running the magazine in Spokane, this show was especially meaningful for us. I found myself wanting to get up close, and to stay after and interview the band, for some strange reason (we didn’t, however). I actually enjoyed it back in the day when Rob would on occasion get a little star struck and tongue tied when the big bands would come in and I’d get to ask all the questions from time to time.
Rob had mentioned to me before we came to the show, that Kurt Cobain really loved the Melvins. I went in looking for what he saw, and I definitely saw that they are true musicians, whether or not the actual music was my favorite singalong tunes, they actually really knew how to play. Very interesting show for me.
I can’t remember if we’ve seen WZ since 95- I almost feel like we’ve been 2x, but don’t have the concert memory like Rob does. For me, attending is the same as going to a movie for many concerts anyway, just entertainment. For rob, it’s an actual Event (initentionally capitalized). Rob remembers the set lists, the outfits, etc. – every little detail is very important to him for most pop culture items.
I know for sure he’s bought come White Zombie CDs, or at least owns the real CDs, especially from the 90s. Now whether he traded them in for computer work (or an old Commodore drive), or found them in an alley or got ’em at WalMart, who knows….Well, he does I’m sure.
I think it’s interesting that the King Buzzo character is the only member in costume – he’s taken on a sort of Adams Family look – he definitely loves that crazy head of hair – it sets him apart from the entire rest of the world in a funky cool kinda way. I’d like to borrow his coat to wear during an afternoon walk around here – probably sweat off about 15 lbs in it!