I Was There - Melvins

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I think this is my 3rd all-nighter in a row. Could be 4 or 5. The days are kind of blending together into mush right now. Or rather, the nights. Either way, it’s time for another show I attended; this one, the Melvins at Summit Music Hall in Denver Colorado, September 2023. Melvins were in the middle of a bill on this one, between Mr. Phylzz (pronounced “Flies” for some reason) and Boris. They formed in Montesano, Washington, in 1983. They are led by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Buzz “King Buzzo” Osborne. (Fun fact: former Melvins bassist Lori “Lorax” Black is the daughter of the legendary Shirley Temple.) They are considered early architects of both grunge and sludge metal. And while I got there early so I could get a front row spot in front of Boris guitarist Wata, it worked out that I was also in front of Buzzo, so that was a bonus. Bassist Stephen Shane McDonald was also entertaining, and a treat, considering I hadn’t seen him live since the 1990’s, when his main band, Redd Kross, opened for the Butthole Surfers. The Summit is a fine music venue, which it has been under a few names for years. It has also been a hip-hop club, and, due to its proximity to Coors Field, just one of a few baseball-themed bars in the area. Link is to a video of the opening of that show, playing “Ligature” (after walking out to A-ha!.) My head is prominent throughout the 2 and a half minutes:”