Bodega, Wellington – 23 February, 2011
The Melvins and High on Fire arrived in Wellington a day later than planned after the Christchurch earthquake left them stranded at Christchurch airport the night before. Every measure was taken to ensure the touring party made it to Wellington including getting the ferry over from Picton. These two bands were now ready to rock the Bodega; just like they themselves had been rocked in Christchurch.
First was High on Fire who came highly recommended and they certainly didn’t disappoint, the first two songs (I have no idea what they were) had heads banging and bodies flying. The band was tight, and the sound was better than usual for the Bodega; it had me already anticipating what the Melvins would do once onstage. There was still much more of High on Fire to be seen though and I found my eyes glued to bassist Jeff Matz’s rapid finger work while guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike’s beer belly was also a sight to behold. This was stoner doom heaven; a full on rocking set was played before they finished off with Bastard Samurai and Snakes for the Divine, dedicating the show to “anyone who got fucked on by the Christchurch earthquake”. The performance best summed up by someone remarking; “Fuck Metallica; this is heavy metal!”
By the time High on Fire were finished the Bodega was packed. The late cancellation of Queens of the Stone Age (who were due to perform a few blocks away at the Town Hall) may have been a factor; Josh Homme was probably scared some “cocksmoker” would throw a shoe at him. Most were in attendance to see timeless sludge rockers the Melvins. King Buzzo and Jared Warren came out looking larger than life, imposing figures on the tiny stage, while Dale Crover and Coady Willis could hardly be seen behind their monstrous drum kits. Buzz sported a turtle neck and moo moo, the other three looked sort of like vikings.
Opening track The Water Glass had the Melvins declaring they were ready; the raucous crowd in attendance were certainly ready, ready, ready. The band ran through a relentless set which included The Kicking Machine, Bar-X-The Rocking M, AMAZON, The Bit, Blood Witch, and the more recent Evil New War God, and Electric Flower; the only let up being early on when some idiot tried to look cool by dancing on stage. Jared did his best Josh Homme impersonation explaining that the idiot not only did not look cool but he also kicked a plug out of Buzz’s guitar, forcing them to stop while Buzz calmly fixed himself up.
The highlights of the show were Civilized Worm, Let It All Be, and Coady’s frenetic drumming. I could only see Dale’s sweaty hair from my position, but he would have done well to keep up with the younger, fitter Coady who was constantly pounding away. The show finished after Buzz casually strolled off leaving Coady and Dale providing a thunderous drum duet while Jared screamed into the microphone. The three of them then waved their goodbyes; a half-expected encore did not come but was not really necessary.
If the band were a little “freaked out” by their experience in Christchurch it certainly didn’t show. They gave the Bodega a magnitude 6.3 earthquake of their own, leaving the still shaking crowd to wind down to the Disney classic Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.
Interesting to hear how the earthquake affected their tour! I hope everyone you know is safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barry, everyone I know down there seems to be doing well (well, as well as possible at a time like this).
ReplyDeleteThe Melvins and High on Fire crew did a great job rescheduling showing how much they rock, they were checking in at Christchurch airport when the quake hit, subsequently leaving them grounded for the night.