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Where do we start? Well, we can start with the fact that few bands on this planet can boast as much influence on the entire rock scene as the Melvins. Always one step ahead. And it doesn't matter if some still don't know that many of their current listens, in various rock 'n' roll fields and beyond, lead straight to this crazy bunch from Aberdeen. None of that concerns us; tonight, we'll enjoy them live.
Arriving around 10:00 PM at Estragon, I notice there are still few people around. A good reason to hop over to the merchandise stand, where I'm disappointed to find only a pathetic t-shirt with "Melvins" written on it and the Slaytanic Wermacht logo à la Slayer (?!?), and a horrible poster signed by the band. Oh well, whatever, I take my place near the front-row barriers. Just a few minutes of waiting and Porn take the stage, with Tim Moss handling guitars and various hellish effects, a rather unsavory-looking guy on bass, and the Willis/Crover duo pounding the cymbals and drums. A "pleasant" half-hour instrumental mix of drone and noise that manages to maintain the audience's attention.
Everything ended okay, 10 minutes and only King Buzzo enters with a black velvet tunic and Dale Crover in shorts and a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. Between a cover of Alice Cooper and a "Let Me Roll It" by Paul McCartney, they hit us with an energetic "Suicide In Progress" before returning to the past with "Oven" and "Let God Be Your Gardner" directly from "Ozma". At the deadly assault of "Pigs Of The Roman Empire," the band is complete with Coady Willis behind the drums and Jared Warren on bass, both dressed in absurd shaman-style shirts. The duo "The Talking Horse"/"The Bloated Pope" immediately heats everyone up, a mosh pit ensues, but everything is under control, "they" are laughing. Then King Buzzo announces: "We'll be right back!"; don't worry guys, we're not moving anywhere. The second part of the concert brings multiple erections. Dale Crover is as ugly as few but hits like no one else. And he also sings. Plus, I mention again he has a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. The percussion interplay between the 2 drums is insane, Warren's bass is an unstoppable tank. There's everything one could wish for: "The Kicking Machine" unleashes panic in front of the stage, then there's "Dies Iraea" and the martial mantra of "Blood Witch". The riff of "Anaconda" nearly makes me come in my pants, "With Teeth" is a gem not everyone will appreciate, but that's fine. And "Hooch"? Of course, they did, there's no joking around with these things. And "Night Goat"? Present and accounted for, no doubt about it! They close with a 12-ton boulder called "The Bit," and it would make you want to say gudnait tu de miusicpleiers! Buzzone leaves the stage, and the other 3 create a sonic maelstrom where Willis and Crover exchange blow for blow with Warren, who succumbs to an almost mystical trip with ultra-effected voice. It's about 10 minutes of stuff! After that, it's really over.
What else can I say? I've got Dale's drumstick, I'm thrilled! Go see them if they pass by your neighborhood. I even traveled almost 600 km, but it was worth it! Melvins.....? Jackasses! Badasses! Ruthless! Ugh! No one like them ever!
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