Whenever I see the Melvins coming to Tampa Bay, I count the days. And, on this tour, aptly named the Savage Imperial Death March II, the band is co-headlining with their mates from across the pond, Napalm Death. The bands both debuted in 1987 and poured together during the 90s heyday.  The last time both bands toured together was in 2016, and they recently released a proper collaborative album titled Savage Imperial Death March. Both bands are playing together as ‘one.’

On April 23rd, the doors were slated to open at the Orpheum Tampa at 6 p.m. I had heard four bands performing that night, including North Carolina’s Weedeater and Shane Embury’s Dark Sky Burial. I was interested in seeing Weedeater because Rock At Night reviewed their show in Sydney in 2016 and in Tampa (with GWAR) in 2024. Well, after taking an Uber to the venue (it beats trying to find a parking spot and walking across essentially a highway), I arrived at the venue and heard Melvins beginning to perform. Unfortunately, I arrived a tad late, missed Weedeater, and immediately headed to the photo pit. Instead of the usual indoor stage, the evening’s concerts were held in the courtyard at the rear of the venue. The sun setting, treey backdrop, and 75-degree weather were a perfect way to enjoy the show. The punters filled the entire yard, and there was little room to move.

“King Buzzo” Osborne was ripping up a red Travis Bean electric guitar while wearing his trademark tunic and wild ‘fro. Bassist Steven Shane McDonald looked distinguished in a white suit with sewn-on appliqué eyes. I was ecstatic to see virtuoso drummer Dale Crover perched behind the drum kit. In 2023, he had to sit out the tour due to spinal surgery. We had dual-drumming during the set with the addition of Coady Willis.

When you go to a Melvins concert, you never know what to expect regarding the setlist. Let’s face it: the band has 28 studio albums and released Thunderball on April 18th. The punters were in for an evening of classics that spanned at least 35 years. The entire crowd and I were head bobbing and feeling the music. Unfortunately, there was no crowd-surfing or stage-diving, but you must consider the crowd’s age. The grungy, dark, stoner punk music (for lack of a better description) was euphoric and touched all the senses.

I chatted with the guy next to me, who confessed, “I drove three hours across the state from Melbourne just to see them.” This statement was impressive, considering they are performing tomorrow in Orlando, Florida. Melvins have a rabid cult following (and my total respect) as they are one of the few 80s grunge bands still cutting albums and touring regularly. They are working musicians with a rigorous schedule that takes them to places like the UK, Australia, and Japan (they toured with Boris in 2024).

Some of my personal favorites of the evening included “Billy Fish,” “A History of Bad Men,” “Blood Witch,” and “Night Goat.” I did not want the set to end. I can’t explain it, but I always feel “warm and fuzzy” after seeing Melvins. It’s like having a 45-minute serotonin injection that lasts till the next day because I listened to Hooch in the car.

While waiting for the band equipment to be changed out on the stage, I had the pleasure of chatting with a couple of women after one asked, “Who was that on the stage? We just walked in.” She wanted to know what genre Melvins performed in, and I did my best to explain. Here is how the conversation went:

“So, who is next?”

I responded, “Napalm Death. They are grindcore/punk music from Birmingham, UK.”

“Oh, what kind of lyrics do they sing? What are they all about?”

I explained that the music is very growling, guttural, and political. She smiled with relief, “Oh! I love that! That’s why we are here!” We could speak freely at that point and share that the concert was cathartic for the insanity that has been going on in this country.

I’m sure these two women and the audience enjoyed Napalm Death’s performance as Barney Greenway growled, pranced, and strutted across the stage performing timeless songs like “Multinational Corporations, Part II” and “Silence is Deafening.” In between the guttural growling, Greenway spoke to the audience. With his Brummie accent, he explained, “This is for all you free thinkers out there. It’s from a little album called Harmony and Corruption” and growled, “SUFFER….THE….CHILDREN.”

So, if you want a reprieve from the news and need to vent a little, head over to see the Savage Imperial Death March II. If you can’t attend a concert, buy their new collaborative album, put it on the turntable, and roar!