{"id":16642,"date":"2017-07-07T16:19:21","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T23:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/?p=16642"},"modified":"2017-07-07T16:19:21","modified_gmt":"2017-07-07T23:19:21","slug":"prolific-and-pummeling-melvins-bring-a-walk-with-love-and-death-tour-to-orange-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/2017\/07\/07\/prolific-and-pummeling-melvins-bring-a-walk-with-love-and-death-tour-to-orange-county\/","title":{"rendered":"Prolific and Pummeling: Melvins bring &#8216;A Walk with Love and Death&#8217; Tour to Orange County"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By Andrew Bansal<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>(photos by Matt Nielson)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>July 6th 2017, The Observatory, Santa Ana CA:\u00a0<\/strong>More than 30 years into their career, the Melvins still continue to push themselves to take on new ventures, and 2017 sees their biggest undertaking yet, &#8216;A Walk with Love and Death&#8217;, their first ever double album. This is a combination of &#8216;Love&#8217;, a soundtrack to the Melvins-produced short film, and &#8216;Death&#8217;, a standard Melvins album. To celebrate this release, they embarked on a very extensive 12-week North American headline tour, with support act Spotlights, and on the second day of the journey, arrived in Santa Ana, California\u00a0for a gig at The Observatory Orange County. Less than 2 weeks ago, the Melvins opened for Tool at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, but watching them play outdoors in broad sunlight hardly even counts, and fans of the band in Southern California came back for more. Last Thursday July 6th, Orange County was ready\u00a0to experience a proper Melvins headline show.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Brooklyn, New York trio <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/spotlightsband\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Spotlights<\/strong><\/a>, who also happen to be the Melvins&#8217; label mates at Ipecac, were the sole opening act for this event, and they took the stage at 8:15 to get the show off to the ideal start. With their stoner rock jams they got this crowd perfectly ready for the headliner. Spotlights&#8217; tunes went from dreamy to heavy through smooth transitions, and they certainly showcased their talent and held the audience&#8217;s attention. Being the only opening band on a high-profile tour can be a blessing and a curse at the same time, but Spotlights proved themselves to be worthy of the spot, and a band Melvins fans definitely should\u00a0catch on this tour.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spotlights photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1038.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16652\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1038.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1038.jpg 1800w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1038-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1038-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1038-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-16642 gallery-columns-6 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0973.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0973-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0973-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0973-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0973-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0974.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0974-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0974-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0974-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0990.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0990-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0990-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0990-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0997.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0997-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0997-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0997-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0997-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0998.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0998-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0998-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_0998-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1000.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1000-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1000-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1000-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1002.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1002-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1002-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1002-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1019.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1019-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1019-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1019-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1024.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1024-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1024-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1024-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1027.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1027-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1027-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1027-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1031.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1031-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1031-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1031-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1031-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1033.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1033-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1033-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1033-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1035.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1035-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1035-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1035-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1048.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1048-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1048-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1048-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1052.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1052-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1052-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1052-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1058.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1058-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1058-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1058-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1058-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1060.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1060-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1060-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1060-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1068.jpg' rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1068-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1068-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1068-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Shortly after, the <a href=\"http:\/\/themelvins.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Melvins<\/strong><\/a> arrived on stage without much fuss, and laid into a non-stop 16-song set wherein they hardly even paused to address the crowd. They got into the zone and hit their peak right at the outset, and never relented. Of course, the set included three songs off of the new release, along with some older tunes, and some brilliantly chosen covers executed in signature Melvins style. Frontman Buzz Osborne was in his element, as were drummer Dale Crover and bassist Steven Shane McDonald, and time flew as they seamlessly moved from one song to another. The entire set felt like one giant single song, and such was the class and quality of the performance, it was only anticlimactic to see the\u00a0house lights turned on immediately after the 16th song, the band walking off the stage and not returning for an encore.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16648\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16648\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1141.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-16648 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1141.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1141.jpg 1200w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1141-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1141-768x1152.jpg 768w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1141-683x1024.jpg 683w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Buzz Osborne &#8211; Melvins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The brand new songs\u00a0added further to an already excellent set which presented plenty of tunes from albums all the way through the &#8217;90s as well as some from the late &#8216;2000s. The most amazing and unique aspect of a Melvins set is that the newer\u00a0material sounds as strong as the old, and on the other hand, the old songs do not sound dated whatsoever, and come across as completely relevant in the year 2017. Such a compilation of songs when performed live really shows how ahead of their time the Melvins have always been, from the beginning of their career and even now. Upon listening to a lot of stoner\/sludge\/doom bands that surfaced in the last 20 years and got popular, it&#8217;s clear that the Melvins were one of their biggest influences. And still, 34 years into their career, they continue to live up to their legacy and stand as an inspiration to one and all.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16649\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16649\" style=\"width: 1800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1263.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[16642]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16649\" src=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1263.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1263.jpg 1800w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1263-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1263-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/DSC_1263-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16649\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Steven Shane McDonald &#8211; Melvins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Besides inspiring others with their tunes, the Melvins also touched upon their own influences with three cover songs in this set, their renditions of the David Bowie song &#8216;Saviour Machine&#8217; and the Beatles&#8217; &#8216;I Want to Hold Your Hand&#8217; standing out as two of the highlights of the entire evening. Aside from putting on a clinic on their respective instruments, all\u00a0three members delivered immaculate vocals and presented some powerful vocal harmonies and trade-offs throughout the set. The mosh pits were going full tilt, the head-bangers were loving every moment of it, and the audience as a whole was mesmerized and overpowered by this monolithic Melvins performance.<\/p>\n<p>Not many bands would dare to embark on a 12-week North American tour in this day and age, but only are the Melvins doing it, they are bringing a show that is going to rock the socks off every city and every venue they visit on this epic journey. If you kept missing the Melvins boat over the years for whatever reason, now is as good a time as any to jump on board.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>If you like what you\u2019ve read\/seen, <a href=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/shop\">buy a shirt<\/a> and help keep Metal Assault running full time!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>If you live in LA, San Diego or Sacramento, come to one of our <a href=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/events\">events<\/a>!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Melvins set list:<\/strong><br \/>\n01. Sacrifice (Flipper cover)<br \/>\n02. Oven<br \/>\n03. Anaconda<br \/>\n04. Queen<br \/>\n05. The Kicking Machine<br \/>\n06. Saviour Machine (David Bowie cover)<br \/>\n07. It&#8217;s Shoved<br \/>\n08. I Want to Hold Your Hand (The Beatles cover)<br \/>\n09. Euthanasia<br \/>\n10. Edgar the Elephant<br \/>\n11. Sober-delic (Acid Only)<br \/>\n12. The Bit<br \/>\n13. Onions Make the Milk Taste Bad<br \/>\n14. AMAZON<br \/>\n15. Hung Bunny<br \/>\n16. Roman Dog Bird<\/p>\n<p><strong>Melvins + Spotlights remaining tour dates:<\/strong><br \/>\n07\/07\/2017 &#8211; Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour<br \/>\n07\/08\/2017 &#8211; Fresno, CA @ Strummer\u2019s<br \/>\n07\/09\/2017 &#8211; Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post<br \/>\n07\/10\/2017 &#8211; San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall<br \/>\n07\/12\/2017 &#8211; Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre<br \/>\n07\/14\/2017 &#8211; Vancouver, BC @ Venue Nightclub<br \/>\n07\/17\/2017 &#8211; Edmonton, AB @ Union Hall<br \/>\n07\/18\/2017 &#8211; Calgary, AB @ The Marquee<br \/>\n07\/20\/2017 &#8211; Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret<br \/>\n07\/21\/2017 &#8211; Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium<br \/>\n07\/22\/2017 &#8211; Minneapolis, MN @ Grumpy\u2019s Bash<br \/>\n07\/24\/2017 &#8211; Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom<br \/>\n07\/25\/2017 &#8211; Chicago, IL @ The Metro<br \/>\n07\/26\/2017 &#8211; Grand Rapids, MI @ The Pyramid Scheme<br \/>\n07\/27\/2017 &#8211; Detroit, MI @ El Club<br \/>\n07\/28\/2017 &#8211; Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop<br \/>\n07\/29\/2017 &#8211; Columbus, OH @ A&amp;R Music Bar<br \/>\n07\/31\/2017 &#8211; Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater<br \/>\n08\/01\/2017 &#8211; Syracuse, NY @ The Westcott Theater<br \/>\n08\/02\/2017 &#8211; Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club<br \/>\n08\/03\/2017 &#8211; New York, NY @ Irving Plaza<br \/>\n08\/04\/2017 &#8211; Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer<br \/>\n08\/05\/2017 &#8211; Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony<br \/>\n08\/06\/2017 &#8211; Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar<br \/>\n08\/08\/2017 &#8211; Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry<br \/>\n08\/09\/2017 &#8211; Carrboro, NC @ Cat\u2019s Cradle<br \/>\n08\/10\/2017 &#8211; Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse<br \/>\n08\/11\/2017 &#8211; Louisville, KY @ Headliner\u2019s Music Hall<br \/>\n08\/12\/2017 &#8211; St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room<br \/>\n08\/13\/2017 &#8211; Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck<br \/>\n08\/15\/2017 &#8211; Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre<br \/>\n08\/17\/2017 &#8211; Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge<br \/>\n08\/18\/2017 &#8211; Las Vegas, NV @ Psycho Fest<br \/>\n08\/20\/2017 &#8211; San Jose, CA @ The Ritz<br \/>\n08\/21\/2017 &#8211; Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst<br \/>\n08\/22\/2017 &#8211; Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br \/>\n09\/05\/2017 &#8211; Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom<br \/>\n09\/06\/2017 &#8211; Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole<br \/>\n09\/08\/2017 &#8211; Austin, TX @ The Mohawk<br \/>\n09\/09\/2017 &#8211; Dallas, TX @ Tree\u2019s<br \/>\n09\/10\/2017 &#8211; San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger<br \/>\n09\/11\/2017 &#8211; Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live (Studio)<br \/>\n09\/13\/2017 &#8211; New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack\u2019s<br \/>\n09\/14\/2017 &#8211; Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall<br \/>\n09\/15\/2017 &#8211; Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbit\u2019s<br \/>\n09\/16\/2017 &#8211; Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum<br \/>\n09\/17\/2017 &#8211; Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ The Culture Room<br \/>\n09\/18\/2017 &#8211; Orlando, FL @ The Social<br \/>\n09\/20\/2017 &#8211; Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club<br \/>\n09\/21\/2017 &#8211; Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Hell Stage)<br \/>\n09\/22\/2017 &#8211; Nashville, TN @ 3rd &amp; Lindsley<br \/>\n09\/23\/2017 &#8211; Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone<br \/>\n09\/25\/2017 &#8211; Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon<br \/>\n09\/26\/2017 &#8211; Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Co.<br \/>\n09\/27\/2017 &#8211; Des Moines, IA @ Wooly\u2019s<br \/>\n09\/28\/2017 &#8211; Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room<br \/>\n09\/30\/2017 &#8211; Ft. Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre<br \/>\n10\/02\/2017 &#8211; Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad<br \/>\n10\/03\/2017 &#8211; Flagstaff, AZ @ The Green Room<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Andrew Bansal (photos by Matt Nielson) July 6th 2017, The Observatory, Santa Ana CA:\u00a0More than 30 years into their career, the Melvins still continue to push themselves to take on new ventures, and 2017 sees their biggest undertaking yet, &#8216;A Walk with Love and Death&#8217;, their first ever double album. This is a combination &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/2017\/07\/07\/prolific-and-pummeling-melvins-bring-a-walk-with-love-and-death-tour-to-orange-county\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Prolific and Pummeling: Melvins bring &#8216;A Walk with Love and Death&#8217; Tour to Orange County&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16642"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16642"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16676,"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16642\/revisions\/16676"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/gig_reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}