It’s hard to believe that it’s almost 30 years since the Melvins stood on stage at the now sadly defunct Riverside in Newcastle. Those wide-eyed kids who stood in awe in that dark, dinghy but ever so exciting club ball those years ago are now back with slightly less hair and a tad more weight around the belly but for an hour and a quarter, those years just rolled away as Melvins returned to celebrate their 40th anniversary as a band.
The influence of the Melvins cannot be overstated. As pioneers of Grunge before Grunge was even a word, they went on to inspire a generation of artists who turned the musical world on its head. While the mainstream embraced the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the Melvins, the real innovators, were often overlooked by all but their hardcore following but those in the know, knew fine well just how vital they were in the grand scheme.
Original members Buzz Osborne, on guitar and vocals and Dale Crover on drums, who himself was drummer in an early incarnation of Nirvana, were joined by bassist Steven Shane McDonald and they didn’t half whip up a fair sonic storm to mark their eagerly awaited return to the North of England.
A-ha’s classic “Take On Me” lulled the crowd into a false sense of security before being bludgeoned over the head with a ferocious “Snake Appeal” from their debut E.P Six Songs, a rather apt way to start their celebrations.
“Zodiac” and “Copache” continued the deep dive into their early repertoire before a spiky cover of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles took them back to their musical roots.
It wasn’t all looking back though as a pair from their most recent release Bad Moon Rising, “Never Say You’re Sorry” and the twisted harmonies of “Hammering” brought us bang up to date.
The glorious tight groove of “Let It Be” brought a different dynamic to the night before the fuzzed up riff of “A History Of Bad Men” shook the foundations to their core and the fast paced, almost Thrash-like “Honey Bucket” had the impressive Crover, drawing on hidden reserves on energy.
As the show drew to a close the taught riffing and snappy melody of “Revolve” brought a more commercial hook to the night before a couple of vintage cuts, “Night Goat” and “Boris” ended their Ruby Anniversary sludgefest in style.
Review and Photos By Mick Burgess
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