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The Melvins (August 7)

Thursday, August 7
The Melvins

The Web site for Ipecac Recordings, the label that recently put out the Melvins’ 18th studio album, Nude With Boots, describes the band as “somewhere in between a novelty act and yesterday’s news.” As any longtime fan of the band knows, that claim is not only tongue-in-cheek, it’s anything but true. The Melvins formed 25 years ago, slowly built up a devoted audience throughout the 1980s, influenced the Seattle grunge explosion and outlasted it, all the while showing little interest in acquiring mainstream appeal. They’re still around today, with a cult audience loyal enough to prove the Melvins are not only still relevant but as great as ever. Nude With Boots reinforces that fact. The likes of Pitchfork, Alternative Press, and Spin have all hailed the album as a welcome showcase of the menacing, sludge-metal abrasion the eccentric quartet does best. If you’re not already part of the Melvins cult, 1990s nostalgia alone should be enough to grab your interest. After all, Kurt Cobain himself loved the band so much that he auditioned to be their bassist, but failed the audition because he was so nervous he forgot the songs. Spinoff band Big Business (featuring Melvins members Jared Warren and Coady Willis) opens the show.

jason silverman

7pm (doors). Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900/townballroom.com). $17.50/advance

(box office, Tickets.com/888- 223-6000, Tops Markets)