I love shows with such a diverse line-up of bands that it not only crosses multiple genres of metal, but still bring out so many different types of fans, from the Stoner Metal Weedeater fans to the slightly geekish Melvins fans (I only say that because I am on of them), to the tattooed neck, jock and frat boy Down fans. Yes, this show had something for everyone.
I should mention that Portland, Oregon's Danava opened this show, but due to the over-intensified security pat down getting into the venue (I heard rumors that this was because of Phil Anselmo death threats earlier in the day) it took way too long to get inside, so unfortunately I missed their set. Next time though.
After a brief intermission—during which I witnessed a couple of fights and more than a few spilled beers—Weedeater hit the stage and threw down a pretty awesome set of slime and grime metal. Vocalist/ bass player "Dixie" Dave Collins was a man possessed, and beat the shit out of his bass so hard that he was reapplying duct tape to the strap after just about every song. Every time I see these dudes I'm amazed that three guys with broken down gear can create such an intense wall of sound, but they do, and for that I fuckin' love them. With the fuzz tone of Dave "Shep" Shepherd's guitar and the relentless pounding of the skins by Keko, I was once again left blown away by the band. Highlights of their far too brief set included "Wizard Fight" and a smokin' version of Skynard's "Gimme Back My Bullets." It's been far too long since I've seen a full set from Weedeater, and here's hoping that they make it back to San Francisco soon.
As the crowd got drunker and the tension in the room continued to build, The Melvins took their turn on stage, and like Weedeater before them, they put on a pretty spectacular set. The band was all about business tonight, and ripped through a set list which included songs I haven't heard them play in a long time. Buzzo was his usual stoic self, and seemed to have cranked it up a notch with his EGC guitar. His riffs, combined with the duel tribal drumming of Dalve Crover and Coady Willis, and the bass of Jared Warren really seemed to win over the Down fans who originally looked a bit unsure of them. And as far as The Melvins fans in the audience, I don't think any of them were disappointed, especially since the band reached into their back catalog and churned out classics such as "Hooch" "Dog Island" "Anaconda" "Zodiac" and an awesome cover of Devo's "Mr. DNA." Although it was a bit strange to see them in the support slot, The Melvins were up to the challenge, and dare I say it, may have slightly upstaged the headliners, at least in my opinion.
While the Melvins fans seemed to bolt for the doors, they were soon replaced by almost double the amount of Down fans, and by the time Phil Anselmo and his crew hit the stage, The Regency Ballroom was as packed as I've ever seen it. You could almost reach out and grab a fistful of the energy that was in the air. Say what you will about the man, but there is no denying that Phil Anselmo has always been the ultimate front man, and I don't know that I've ever seen someone control every person in the venue, whether it was with Pantera, Superjoint Ritual or Down. Tonight was no exception, and you really got the feeling that all he would have had to do is say the word and the entire place would have erupted into a giant prison yard-style brawl. Fortunately for everyone Phil kept it real, and delivered some serious New Orleans influenced Southern Sludge. No longer plagued by back and knee problems, he was able to give 100% to his vocals, and seemed to be on top of his game. Guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein (also of Corrosion Of Conformity and Crowbar, respectively) tore it up as well, and showed that they are kind of an under rated duo. Drummer Jimmy Bower was his usual bad-ass drumming self, while fill-in bass player Danny Theriot (Rex Brown sat out the first leg of this tour due to "personal issues") seemed to mesh quite nicely with the rest of the band, probably due to the fact the he use to be in a band with Windstein. Together the five delivered a kick-ass set that included "The Path," "Temptation's Wings" "Nothing In Return" and my personal favorite "Eyes Of The South."
As for the inmates, they were pretty much goin' nuts, and when Phil dedicated "Lifer" to Dimebag, the place turned into a free for all of headbanging, moshing, fighting, puking, spilling beer and smoking pot. It was the first time in years that I could actually fell a bit of danger at a metal show, and it was a good feeling. By the time Down wrapped up the show with an encore of "Stone The Crow" and "Bury Me In Smoke" everyone exiting the building looked like they had been put through the wringer, and undoubtedly got there moneys worth.
Artists:
Down: www.down-nola.com
The Melvins: www.melvins.com
Weedeater: myspace.com/weedeater
Related Articles:
Down w/ Danava [Live Review]
The Melvins w/ Big Business [Live Review]
The Melvins [Feature]
