MELVINS LITE - The Venue - July 15th 2012
“Fuck Elvis! Buzzo's the King!” declares one dedicated fan interviewed before The Melvin's show.King Buzzo denies being “King of Seattle”, but he did influence Seattle's music scene that exploded in the early 1990's. Many of us hate it when someone likes us too much. It must be hell to be a king or a rock god. Buzzo once gave a fan the finger. A young punk singer saw Osborne on a street in Calgary while talking with his dad over a pint. The punk yelled out, “Buzz!” Buzzo raised his finger, saluted and declared, “Fuck you! It seems a stately reminder to a loyal punk rocker of his place in the realm.
When King Buzzo held court in Vancouver, those in attendance were royally impressed with his power trio. Buzz Osborne's divine and well-executed guitar feedback seemed to pick up where Hendrix left off in “If 6 was 9”. Dale Crover sounded like Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles rolled into one. Trevor Dunn's deep bass with a bow opened the show. Playing stand up bass exclusively throughout, he would return here and there to the foreplay of the opening bass vibe. The sound he created gave the drums and guitar a solid foundation on which to dance. The Melvins were not to stop until Black Sabbath's “Sweet Leaf” resumed where it had left off when the band had begun 90 minutes before.
Given the sounds from the stage and from the packed house, The Melvins should be experienced live. A drummer friend commented during the show that this is the best he had ever heard them. He liked the three-piece set-up; this one dubbed Melvins Lite. It's heavy. The singing is noteworthy too. At one point Buzzo hits a beautifully sweet falsetto. The rhythm section provides great backup vocals. What is so worthwhile is how these musicians honour the sonic tradition we hear in the essential heavy hitters of rock and roll. Their cover of “Let Me Roll It” by Wings is appreciated. The whole set, musically and lyrically, resonates with true lovers of rock and roll and gives us what we desire: to be beautifully transformed and timeless.
Hendrix said, “I'm the one who's got to die when it's time for me to die / so let me live my life / the way I want to.” This is the Rock and Roll creed. King Buzzo lives it. The “King of Seattle” title doesn't do him justice. Benevolent, wise and hard working, Buzzo is very good to those of us loyal to rock and roll. All Hail King Buzzo!
- Jackie Thunders
