Images: The Melvins, Big Business, Illicitor March 12, 2016 at Fremont Country Club (Neon Reverb)

As I rushed into Fremont Country Club on Saturday night, I could hear local punk rockers Illicitor had already started their set. Unfortunately that means by my adult life (day job) and set times being (surprisingly) ahead of schedule I ended up missing Narrowed, God’s America, and China (Sorry guys!).

Illicitor blew through their set faster than I would have liked but none the less, it was fantastic. Zabi Naqshband and Bob Gate’s howling vocals brought the crowd to the stage, and Micah Malcolm‘s drumming kept the energized pace of their set. This was actually the first time I had seen Illicitor with Malcolm – the man is a beast and very fun to watch perform.

As their set was coming to an end, I noticed there weren’t very many people in the crowd (likely due to them going on earlier than anticipated) but it didn’t make a difference, these guys played like it was a sold out show.

Next up was Big Business, who I admittedly had never heard of. They were an awesome mix of jammy heavy metal with a punk edge. Big Business is only comprised of a bass player, Jared Warren, and a drummer, Coady Willis, but to be honest I couldn’t tell the difference.

Warren managed to play his bass in such a way that it sounded like a heavily distorted guitar. Willis was a whole show in himself, filled with seemingly boundless energy. Not only did he have a crazy set up and more drum sticks than I think I’ve ever seen but he was also insanely talented and fun to watch. You could tell the crowd was digging it as well. I had never seen so many heads banging in unison. By the end of their set, I was definitely a fan.

Fremont Country Club finally started filling up shortly after Big Business’ set and just in time for the legendary Melvins to start. If you have never seen these guys live, it is an experience like no other. They began their set with “Eye Flys” and the intro gave frontman Buzz Osbourne enough time to glare deeply – and a bit menacingly – into the eyes at least half of the crowd. Staring back was easy, as no one could miss Osbourne’s eccentric outfit and signature hairstyle.

Following suite, bassist Steven Shane McDonald was in an all-black get up with the exception of the bedazzled “bass” across his shirt, which I found particularly amusing (note to self: must bedazzle “photographer” on shirt before next show). The band’s set vacillated between lethargic and energetic, which felt appropriate for a room of tired older punks out after midnight, some of whom were bouncing back and forth between this show and Dead Kennedys at LVCS.

Somewhere in the middle of their set, sometime between rocking out to “Revolve,” “The Water Glass” and “Queen,” a vintage, high energy circle pit broke out. It wasn’t the scene I was expecting to see this from but it was still pretty rad. This was a show I had been wanting to see since I was maybe 15 years old, and I was definitely not disappointed by the time the Melvins ended their last song.

-Anthony Constantine | https://www.facebook.com/anthonycphotography