Last Thursday, ANU Bar hosted a double-header gig featuring a flashback from the 90’s with Helmet and Melvins – both currently touring Australia on a sort of ‘greatest hits’ tour. The night was filled with nostalgia and that classic 90s grungy-rock sound that in many ways has shaped the way music sounds today. Both acts were incredibly talented and polished, where all in attendance were completely immersed in the experience of the evening.

The fans were loud and passionate in a sea of beards and black t-shirts. They have proved their loyalty and faithfulness to both Helmet and Melvins, packing out the bar and proving old school is cool. It was a down-and-dirty gig not for the faint-hearted, with plenty of noise and head-banging moshpitters and people doing the ‘rock n roll’ hand signs to their ageing heroes who showed no signs of rust.

Helmet were 3 guitarists and one drummer (who sported an NRL jersey from yesteryear). Lead singer Page Hamilton had a voice to make you believe anything he’d say – that smooth American charm wooing the crowd while chatting away between tracks and giving everyone a chance to catch their breath before being strewn back into the abyss again. The power of each song was relentless. Clearly time hasn’t slowed down the stamina of either acts as both bands absolutely pushed their instruments to the limits – that squealing guitar and heavy bass literally rocking the walls and leaving this reviewer without full hearing ability for at least a few days. It was totally worth it.

Melvins are currently celebrating their 30th year as a band, and their intro was one of the most epic I’ve seen at a live gig. An extraordinary 5 minute guitar solo that crescendoed into the bands appearance on stage, the suspense and anticipation was at boiling point until at last they (with two drummers!) appeared and almost quite literally tore the house down.

Special mention must also be given to lead singer Buzz Osborne, whose hair was as epic as their intro – a blonde afro that wistfully flopped about as he rocked the stage. Their music is hard to categorise into genre, its glam rock meets punk meets metal meets experimental and Melvins have tapped into all these genres in their unique way and nailed a sound that was as addictive as it was noisy.

The next stop for both bands was the Meredith Music festival, followed by a few more dates around Australia.

Images by Brianna Olzen Photography