The Melvins with Big Business
Big Business opened up for the Melvins, but since half to 3/4 of Big Business is Melvins it was more like an exended show with slightly different styles. The lighting sucked and half the front lights looked like they'd recently been knocked askew, hell one of the main lights was shining down on the people in the front row or two and not anywhere near the damn stage. Sadly it's was the brightest light on. This little "problem" with the lights became really noticable when the Melvins took to the stage. Buzz stood in darkness the whole set, Next there was no barrier or "photo pit" and everything had been crammed on the stage in a way that shooting from any angle was blocked by something. So from a photography standpoint the show SUCKED! As for sound, I think the new sound guy at the Meridian is deaf, that or he'd rather feel the music than hear it. Luckily I carry earplugs for this kind of thing. Even though the volume seemed to be at 11 it was sort of a good thing. The percussion of both bands was so damn good and powerful that it wasn't a bad thing to feel it to the center of your being. Did I mention the drummer, or rather drummers? Dual drumming if done right is one of the most amazing things to watch and listen to and the Melvins do it right. These bands are tight. Tight in a way that says "this is what YEARS of practice" is, screw your "Myspace" band. It was primal, it was powerful and it took me back to a time when the world was a better place and real music roamed the earth.
We'll put it this way, after the show I went over and picked up a CD or so.
On a side note, take a look at the bass player. Now does anyone else see the John Belushi Samurai Futaba character? Samurai Bass Player!
