You would have to look back as far as 1996 for the last time Grunge Godfathers the Melvins performed on Tyneside.

Of course, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since that time. The band are presently celebrating their milestone 40th anniversary and what better way to celebrate than the band’s eagerly anticipated North-East return?

It is widely regarded that The Melvins catalysed the grunge movement. Frontman Buzz Osborne introduced Kurt Cobain and Krist Novaselic to Dave Grohl, and the rest they say is history. Subsequently, Melvin’s drummer Dale Crover played in an early incarnation of Nirvana and features on the album Bleach.

The unlikely sounds of Aha’s Take on Me ushered the trio to the stage. The ferocious riffs of Buzz Osborne, bass player Steven Shane McDonald’s energy and rhythm, along with Dale Crover’s thunderous hard-hitting beat had the crowd transfixed from the off. Immediately it was easy to understand why Crover has been regarded by Rolling Stone as of the greatest drummers of all time.

Early in the set, the group put their own stamp on The Beatles’ classic I Want to Hold Your Hand. Whilst you can hear how the group influenced a new generation of bands via the heavy groove of tracks such as Hammering, Never Say You’re Sorry and Evil New War God.

Rather than chit-chat and on-stage banter, the Melvins preferred to let the music do the talking. Occasional pauses allowed for the audience to cheer, but largely the band raced through their fifteen-song setlist.

Blood Witch with its tight rhythm and short sharp fuzz fuelled riffs along with a crowd-pleasing airing of A History of Bad Men were highlights of the set. Whilst Honey Bucket was executed at breakneck speed. The Melvins hurtled towards the finish line with Revolve and a mosh pit-inducing rendition of Night Goat.

A few words from Dale Crover led the band into the encore. Speaking about the band’s 40th anniversary, the drummer concluded that “A day that you don’t dance is a day wasted”. And who could argue with that sentiment?

The Melvins brought the show to a close with Boris from their 1991 Bullhead album. It may have taken the US-based grunge pioneers 28 years to return to the North-East, but this show was certainly worth waiting for.

Words and Photos by Adam Kennedy

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