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Melvins, Baroness & Honky played House of Vans (pics)

photo by Lukas Hodge, words by Andrew Sacher and Fred Pessaro

Melvins / Baroness
Melvins
Baroness

The free House of Vans shows continued this week (7/31) with a triple attack of sludge metal from The Melvins, Baroness, and Melvins/Butthole Surfers-related band Honky. Pictures of the former two are in this post, and another set of the show (including shots of Honky) is at Invisible Oranges.

For Baroness, this was their first NYC show since heading back out on the road following last year’s tragic bus crash. (And it was actually the same venue they would have played last summer.) John Baizley and guitarist Peter Adams are the only members who remained in the band after the accident, and Baizley is actually the only original member left. Despite this, and a noticeably calmer Baizley than the earlier days (which, all things considered, you’d forgive him for), the band was tight and the show was a great time. The show was mainly split between Yellow & Green and Blue Record, including live favorites like “Take My Bones Away,” “March to the Sea,” “The Sweetest Curse,” and “Swollen and Halo.” Only complaint was that I wish the set was longer, which it probably will be when Baroness headline Irving Plaza on 8/14 with Royal Thunder (tickets).

Congrats go out to Jared Warren of Big Business, who sat out this Melvins tour in favor of paternity leave. In his stead was bassist Jeff Pinkus of Honky, who ably backed the band, though Jared’s sweet harmonizing croon was missed. The band’s appearance featured tracks old and new, and even an appearance from Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers.

The next House of Vans show happens on August 15 with Kid Dynamite, Joyce Manor, Red Hare, and Swearin’. RSVP for that show is still open.

More pictures of Melvins/Baroness below…

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