There’s nothing on Earth quite like a Melvins show. Add in the double whammy of Redd Kross and I just knew this would be a show for the ages. The Escape From L.A. U.S. Tour made a recent stop here in Charlotte at the iconic Visulite Theatre and it definitely was a night to remember.
As I was parking my car in the lot across the street, the doors of a van opened up and a band began to set up and play out the back doors of the vehicle complete with a fog machine and lights. Already it was a good start for a great night of music. The alternative rock of Redd Kross was up first. The band features brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald who have been playing together since middle school. They have a pure and simple rock sound, kind of a garage punk vibe and their set was full of crunching riffs and solid melodies. Jeff’s vocals sounded great and the band seemed to have a great time performing for everyone. Steve was quite the showman slinging his bass around and high kicking every chance he got. Their time on stage absolutely flew by and I was sad to see them go.
After a quick break, it was time for the main event, as the Melvins were next to take the stage. I saw a few people stretching and limbering up and one woman explained that she didn’t want to get Melvins’ neck, which may or may not be an actual medical condition, I didn’t bother Googling it. An interesting note, Steve McDonald is also playing bass for the Melvins along with drummer Dale Crover who was also doing double duty. As Crover and McDonald came back out, in a fresh set of clothes with Steve donning a dapper red and black suit, it was game time. I was tight up against the stage and when the crowd started chanting Mel-vins! Mel-vins! I took a look behind me and realized that the Visulite was packed tight. It seems everyone wanted to be a part of the action. When frontman Buzz Osborne made his way out , he was dressed in a long black velvet robe adorned with what looked like some sort of royal crests or insignias. When he picked up his guitar and stood in front of his amps, back to the crowd, the room was buzzing with excitement and when he spun around and the band began “Sesame Street Meat,” the chaos began. People were singing, screaming, dancing, and moshing and before you knew it the floor in front of the stage had turned into a full on mosh pit and I had to scramble to get out of dodge with my camera equipment. Now, I knew what all the warming up was for! From a safer vantage point, I took in the rest of the show. The band was fierce with drummer Crover pounding away and McDonald continuing his high kicks and upped his game by even jumping off an amp or two. Although Osborned mostly stayed behind his mic stand, he was clearly the ringleader of the evening and the crowd watched every move he made cheering him on all night long. The party continued with all the usual songs as well as a few Redd Kross covers which allowed for the other members of Redd Kross to join the Melvins on stage for an all out good time. They closed things out with a Melvinsesque cover of the KISS classic “Deuce.”
When I was asked how the show was, I grinned and replied “It was a Melvins show,” because really that’s all the explanation needed. If you haven’t experienced a Melvins show yet, what are you waiting for? Just don’t forget to limber up first.
Setlist:
Sesame Street Meat
The Kicking Machine
Anaconda
Queen
It’s Shoved
Oven
With Yo’ Heart, Not Yo’ Hands (Malfunkshun cover)
Billy Fish
Charlie (Red Kross cover)
Civilized Worm
Hooch
Honey Bucket
A Growing Disgust
Your Blessened
The Bit
With Teeth
Standing in Front of Poseur (Red Kross cover)
Deuce (KISS cover)
We would like to thank Monica Seide-Evenson from Speakeasy PR for the credentials to review the show.
