The day after Ozzy's passing, we got a visit from another Osborne; Buzz, spelled slightly differently but packing an equally powerful presence. Melvins played Athens, and the earth practically trembled under the sludge megatons they unleashed.
They arrived with a crew of friends, half of whom are in the actual Melvins, plus an up-and-coming femme punk outfit from Bristol.
Grandmas House kicked off their set under the blistering sun in the middle of a brutal heatwave, and they were nothing short of sensational.
Grandmas House recently released a stellar new EP, Anything For You, which they played in full. Alongside that, there were the goosebump-inducing opener, No Place Like Home, and past favorites like Body and Devil’s Advocate which closed things out in nervy punk rock fashion.
The band, composed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums), Zoë Zinsmeiste (bass), and newest member Polly (guitar), is conjuring up a full length, and judging by everything they've shown so far, plus their commanding live presence, we're definitely sticking around for it.
Next up were Redd Kross, true icons of underground rock ‘n’ roll who thrive onstage. They came out swinging, decked in faux glam-psychedelic garb and radiating arena-rock charisma. And they were loud!
Their set burst open with the high-voltage Huge Wonder, followed by power pop greats like Stay Away From Downtown, Stunt Queen, and Lady in the Front Row. It was all pure Redd Kross, playful, theatrical, glitter-drenched garage glam and psychedelia, capped off with a standout rendition of The Beatles’ It Won’t Be Long which the band dedicated to huge Beatles fan Ozzy Osbourne, and a touch of feminist punk awesomeness with Frightwig’s Crazy World.
Though signature covers like their beloved take on Carpenters’ Yesterday Once More and KISS’s gritty Deuce didn’t make the cut this time, Redd Kross reminded the world once again just how distinctively they can reinterpret other people’s music.
Favorites like Annie’s Gone and Jimmy’s Fantasy made the setlist, with their iconic track Linda Blair closing out their explosive performance.
Though signature covers like their beloved take on Carpenters’ Yesterday Once More and KISS’s gritty Deuce didn’t make the cut this time, Redd Kross reminded the world once again just how distinctively they can reinterpret other people’s music.
Favorites like Annie’s Gone and Jimmy’s Fantasy made the setlist, with their iconic track Linda Blair closing out their explosive performance.
At this point, we should take a moment to honor the rock star-level dance moves of guitarist Jason Shapiro as they deserve their own spotlight.
Before the dust could settle, two Redd Kross members, Steven Shane McDonald and Dale Crover, returned to the stage as part of the Melvins, looking anything but tired.
Melvins came out to annihilate.
Two drum sets: Dale Crover and Coady Willis. Steven Shane McDonald on bass and vocals. The legendary Buzz Osborne on guitar and vocals. The sound wasn’t just heavy. It was massive.
Expectations for a sludge-drenched, riff-heavy sonic apocalypse were high, and the band didn’t disappoint. Their set was a meticulously crafted dive into sludge and noise rock’s twisted depths. The band's vast discography offers plenty in which one can indulge. They started with Working the Ditch, locking into a grimy groove before plunging into the swirling distortion of The Bloated Pope originally a collaboration with Lustmord, and Never Say You’re Sorry. Unrelenting riffs and roughness followed on Evil New War God and It’s Shoved, while Billy Fish provided glimmers of melody.
The second half ramped things up. Tracks like A History of Bad Men and Blood Witch added ominous weight, and the descent continued with Hang Me and Hog Leg.
Before the dust could settle, two Redd Kross members, Steven Shane McDonald and Dale Crover, returned to the stage as part of the Melvins, looking anything but tired.
Melvins came out to annihilate.
Expectations for a sludge-drenched, riff-heavy sonic apocalypse were high, and the band didn’t disappoint. Their set was a meticulously crafted dive into sludge and noise rock’s twisted depths. The band's vast discography offers plenty in which one can indulge. They started with Working the Ditch, locking into a grimy groove before plunging into the swirling distortion of The Bloated Pope originally a collaboration with Lustmord, and Never Say You’re Sorry. Unrelenting riffs and roughness followed on Evil New War God and It’s Shoved, while Billy Fish provided glimmers of melody.
The second half ramped things up. Tracks like A History of Bad Men and Blood Witch added ominous weight, and the descent continued with Hang Me and Hog Leg.
Then came Your Blessened. The Bullhead record got the love it deserved in this pretty amazing setlist, along with Houdini and (A) Senile Animal. The final stretch came with Honey Bucket, Revolve, and Night Goat, and it was utter transcendence, a barrage of distortion and driving grooves. The band's momentum never let up.
All in all, this was a phenomenal bill, bringing forward energy, heaviness and variety. Underground rock grit, glam rock flair, and punk ferocity were all represented.
Massive props to Grandmas House for their magnetic performance and promising future. And deep respect to the two legendary veterans who keep shaking the foundations.
Top photo by Chris Casella
Live photos by Destroy//Exist
ZR
Massive props to Grandmas House for their magnetic performance and promising future. And deep respect to the two legendary veterans who keep shaking the foundations.
Event Date: July 23rd, 2025
Live photos by Destroy//Exist
ZR