Review by: Janel Spiegel
Melvins
Redd Kross
STOP YOUR WHINING TOUR USA 2025
Musikfest Café
ArtsQuest Center
101 Founders Way
Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem, PA was ready to go for (the) Melvins, and Redd Kross. Redd Kross is made up of the incomparable Steven McDonald (bass/vocals), Jeff McDonald (vocals/guitar), Dale Crover WHO WAS DRUMMING TO THEE DRUM GODS., Jason Shapiro (guitar/vocals). (the) Melvins are: Buzz KING BUZZO Osborne (Guitar/Vocals), Steven McDonald (Bass/Vocals), Dale Crover (Drums), and Coady Willis for a double-drummer line-up just in case your world didn’t get rocked enough.
The Melvins are an intensely beautiful band. It was mesmerizing. The hard Riffs, the drumming to all the DRUM GODS. It’s a fusion with a one-of-a-kind sound. The Melvins were formed in 1983, and Buzz Osborne created a one-of-a-kind sound. Musikfest Café was rocking in all different directions last night. Jazz Jam was performing downstairs, and there was a group celebrating an 88 years young birthday, Happy Birthday to the gentleman who was there celebrating.
Musikfest Café staff was working hard, the Bethlehem Police, and an ambulance crew was there for safety, and everything was good. The volunteers do an exceptional job. They help so much. Thank you always to all the staff, and Monica, and The Valley Ledger.
While jazz fans roamed around with Melvins, Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Fantomas fans… Everyone had a “Rock N Roll good time” per Steven McDonald’s request for Bethlehem, PA. I wandered downstairs to check out Jazz Jam and grab a snack, you can food and drinks at Musikfest Café downstairs if it is a standing room only show. When they do the seated room shows, they do serve food upstairs also. I also ran into one of the most talented drummers, Vernon J. Mobley who was talking shop with Coady Willis from the Melvins.
There is a lot to do at Musikfest Café, ArtsQuest, the Frank Banko Theater (Don’t forget to check out The Rocky Horror Picture Show with the live shadow cast.) Octoberfest is happening.
Back to the concert. Redd Kross opened the show and completely rocked. They performed a variety of songs including, “Stay Away from Downtown,” “Lady in the Front Row”, and more. The crowd was hyped, and having a good time. Steven McDonald keeps everyone engaged.
By then there was a brief intermission, and then the rising sound of “The Star-Spangled Banner, ala Jimi Hendrix-style but with a Melvins twist. The Melvins start as soon as they hit the stage. The whole building was VIBRATING, and it was flabbergasting in the most impressive way.
The Melvins performed a variety of exceptional Melvins songs including: “Never Say You’re Sorry”, “Honey Bucket”, and more. The Melvins are a genre of music. They continue to create, and make you think while having a great time. It’s genuine uncompromising, unapologetic, shake and rattle the galaxies music. They rocked during a waxing gibbous phase moon. The Melvins influenced a lot of music, and I do hope they will continue coming back to the Musikfest Café, and around the Lehigh Valley. It was an unforgettable show.
https://www.themelvins.net/
https://www.steelstacks.org/festivals/oktoberfest/
