Tomahawk kicked off “A Huge Waste of Your Time and Money”, their first tour in thirteen years in Nashville, TN at the Brooklyn Bowl on July 18th. Tomahawk brought along genre mainstays, the Melvins, to start the night.
The Melvins formed in 1983 in Montesano, California. The band makes slow, heavy and experimental music and is often accredited as one of the forefathers of sludge metal, as well being the inspiration for Kurt Cobain to start Nirvana.
The band consists of Buzz Osbourne on guitar and vocals, Steven McDonald on bass and vocals, Dale Crover and Coady Willis both on drums and vocals.
Buzz and Steven both bounced off each other vocally and sonically. They are ying and yang, quite literally reflected in their opposite stage outfits. I wish I had a time machine to back in time to watch each member’s performance individually.
The Melvins have been a bucket list band for me for a LONG time. I can’t even begin to express how loud this band is. Two drummers and everyone on stage sings. You feel it in your chest, head and soul. Double trouble drums are something to behold. They’ll blow your eyebrows clean off. I was mesmerized watching both drummers play in perfect unison. One left handed, the other right handed.
Hands down, seeing the Melvins was one of the best show experiences I’ve ever had. I will be incessantly beating on my steering wheel when I drive to “Houdini” from now on.
SETLIST
Working the Ditch
Never Say You’re Sorry
Sway (The Rolling Stones cover)
Evil New War God
Civilized Worm
It’s Shoved
A History of Bad Men
The Bit
Blood Witch
Hag Me
Honey Bucket
Night Goat
Tomahawk hit the stage for the first time in thirteen years in the city that started it all. The band is a brainchild of Duane Denison, a Nashville native and Mike Patton after a 1999 Mr. Bungle show. Now back for the band’s twenty-fifth anniversary, Tomahawk is back and better than ever!
The band currently consists of Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) on synths, samples and vocals, Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard) on guitar, John Stanier (Helmet) on drums, and Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle) on bass.
Nashville was in for a real treat on this rainy Saturday. Opening with fan favorite “Flashback” the crowd went crazy as the band took their places on stage. Patton is a delight to watch on stage, his vocals are raw and visceral. Duane’s guitar work and tone was perfect.
Despite the lackluster stage design, only a large tapestry backdrop, the band captivated the sold out venue. I saw maybe two people with their phones out the entire show, which is a feat for Nashville.
I could feel the crowd’s passion while I photographed in the photo pit. Fans both young and old came together to welcome back Tomahawk.
Tomahawk played six songs that had NEVER been heard live! The setlist was a perfect mix of fan favorites and deep cuts. I found myself getting a bit teary eyed during “Capt. Midnight”, a personal favorite of mine.
Towards the end of the set, Patton faked out the crowd twice. I whole heartedly believed they were finishing out the show with deep cuts, until the band came out in changed clothes to finish the night with “God Hates a Coward”
I highly recommend nabbing tickets if your city hasn’t sold out. I had a blast!
SETLIST
Flashback
SHHH! (live debut)
Predators and Scavengers (live debut)
Business Casual (live debut)
Doomsday Fatigue (live debut)
Capt. Midnight
Rape This Day
Birdsong
White Hats / Black Hats
Fatback (live debut) South Paw I.O.U.
Mayday
Point and Click
Stalkin’ (Duane Eddy cover)
Sidewinder (live debut)
Laredo
God Hates A Coward
