Tomahawk and Melvins

We shouldn’t come down too hard on Tomahawk for not gigging all that often. After all, they’re probably the busiest bunch of dudes on the harder end of the spectrum of alternative rock. Led by inimitable Faith No More and Mr. Bungle frontman Mike Patton, who also runs their record label Ipecac, the band also features Duane Denison of The Jesus Lizard, Kevin Rutmanis of Cows and The Melvins, and drummer John Stainer, who you’ll recognise from Battles and Helmet. That list of bands alone should have any fan of slightly askew rock and roll excited, but stories of their live shows will only excite more. A brutal, sardonic, hilarious and dangerous experience, a Tomahawk live show is just as likely to see the front few rows emerge covered in frontman Patton’s spit as they are their own sweat. Their two real trump cards come in the form of their drummer and singer. Though celebrated for his more math rock contributions to Battles in recent years, John Stainer is a powerhouse of a straight up rock drummer, so much so you’ll start to feel sorry for the very drums he’s beating quite so heavily, and Patton’s remarkable voice seemingly knows no physical limits. They might take ten year breaks in between touring, but one has to feel that they’ve really earned the elongated rests – Tomahawk gigs are a thing of physical endurance as much as they are spectacles of musical muscle flexing.

When someone mentions the grunge genre attention is immediately turned to Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, etc… but often time people forget one of the true pioneers of the genre, The Melvins.

While they’re not strictly a grunge band, they share many elements of the genre along with aspects of metal, alternative, punk and hardcore. The sludgy rock band has been together for nearly 30 years and are still performing live and putting on great shows as well.

Buzz Osbourne, the lead guitarist, vocalist, and all around interesting guy is one of the most unique front man in rock ‘n roll. Even if you’re not familiar with his music, you more than likely know him by his Side Show Bob hairstyle.

While the band isn’t as hard around the edges as they used to be, the more senior members are all near 50 years old at this point, they’re still able to pull off a crunching live set. Most of their shows these days tend to flip between electric and acoustic elements. It’s a nice change of pace and you get to hear re-worked versions of some classic songs like “Shevil,” “Eyes Fly,” and “Inner Ear Rupture” amongst others.

The Melvins aren’t as nasty as they used to be, but they’re every bit as exciting still.