Las Vegas Weekly

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1. It’s midnight before the Melvins go on Tuesday night. Are they going out of their way to make me feel old? Despite the late start, LVCS is packed with die-hards waiting to see the band perform its 49th show in 49 days en route to a record-breaking 51—every state plus Washington, D.C.—in 51 days tour.

2. The Melvins never rush. They methodically grind, allowing every sonic wave to steadily crest until finally rupturing into a heavy rhythmic flare of energy. So much for “sludge-rock.”

3. “Las Vegas is the greatest city in the world!” exclaims mushroom-headed, wizard-cloak-wearing frontman Buzz Osborne. Oh, Buzzo, I bet you say that to all the towns on your 51 states in 51 days tour.

4. Stand-up bassist Trevor Dunn, aka the “Lite” in Melvins Lite, is a fine addition to the Melvins sound and has adapted their old material to fit his style. But Dunn really shines when the trio performs tracks off Freak Puke, the only album Dunn has recorded with the band, which features an upright bass.

5. The Melvins’ memorable Tuesday night performance is one of those shows you leave with your ears ringing, your head pulsing and your heart pounding. And in desperate need of sleep.