EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: MELVINS, “FRIENDS BEFORE LARRY”
2011 was an anomalous year for the ever-productive Melvins, one in which no new music (save for a cover of Ram Jam’s “Black Betty”) was commercially released. Of course, the band wasn’t resting on their laurels, playing several “Don’t Look Back”-style shows and documenting several live performances on CD. But when the euphoric haze of witnessing records like Bullhead live in concert dissipated, those of us who have long-appreciated the group’s astonishing, quirky, and generally impressive output were at a loss.
Apparently, the guys anticipated our needs, and are delivering two brand new releases over the next few months, the first of which is a downloadable freebie called The Bulls And The Bees. Presented by the folks at Scion (who brought us one of the greatest Frisky Dingo episodes ever), it features the four-piece lineup that continues to blow audiences away with dueling drummers. “Friends Before Larry” is the third track on this one, and we’ve hustled up this exclusive premiere for your listening pleasure. Check it out now in advance of the March 13 release.
In support of this release, the band will hit the road for a series of U.S. dates in April and May, with New York noise rock stalwarts Unsane opening some shows. Then, on June 5, there will be another Melvins release called Freak Puke, this one via Ipecac. In a shocking twist, the album comes from a three-piece ensemble–Dale Crover, Buzz Osborne, and former Mr. Bungle bassist Trevor Dunn–nimbly-dubbed Melvins Lite. I’ve heard it already and it is both bizarre and ballsy.
Melvins tour dates
April 11 San Jose, CA The Blank Club
April 12 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
April 13 Los Angeles, CA The Troubadour
April 14 San Diego, CA The Casbah
April 17 El Paso, TX House of Rock
April 19 Austin, TX Mohawk
April 20 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
April 21 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jack’s
April 23 Orlando, FL The Social
April 24 Gainesville, FL Double Down Live
April 25 Atlanta, GA The Loft at Center Stage
April 26 Charlotte, NC Amos Southend
April 28 West Chester, PA The Note
April 29 New York, NY Webster Hall
May 1 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
May 2 DeKalb, IL Otto’s Nightclub
May 3 St. Louis, MO The Firebird
May 4 Nashville, TN Exit Inn
May 7 Dallas, TX Trees
May 9 Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Brewing Company
May 11 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Concert Theatre
-GS
