4 years in the making: Buzz Osborne and Trevor Dunn to start tour at Pappy and Harriet's
In 2020, Melvins guitarist and vocalist Buzz Osborne released his second solo album, "Gift of Sacrifice," featuring bassist Trevor Dunn, but they never got to tour together due to the pandemic.
Four years later, Osborne and Dunn will begin an acoustic tour on Thursday at Pappy and Harriet's.
"The idea of going on tour came up after the pandemic, but starting with an acoustic tour right away may not have been the best decision for us," said Osborne. "Over the past couple of years, the Melvins have been doing regular album tours, and about a year ago, Trevor and I started thinking about when we could do this. We're going on the road for 70 shows, and after that, I'm not sure when we'll do something like this again."
'Like an oil tanker crashing into a coral reef'
"Gift of Sacrifice" is Osborne's second solo album since "This Machine Kills Artists" in 2014. Dunn, who performed with Osborne in the supergroup Fant?mas alongside Faith No More frontman Mike Patton and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, was invited to perform on a few songs but ended up performing on the entire record because "he sounded great."
"Trevor is an amazing bass player and I like what he does. He's capable of making his bass sound like an oil tanker crashing into a coral reef. That's something that really has to be heard to be believed," Osborne said.
Keeping it as 'fresh' as possible
Melvins, which also features drummer and La Quinta resident Dale Crover, has a unique sludgy psychedelic sound that puts the group somewhere between hard rock and metal, and that's been a defining characteristic of all its albums since the band's 1987 debut “Gluey Porch Treatments.” Atlantic Records signed the trio back in '93, the same year they dropped their fifth record, "Houdini," which sold over 100,000 copies. The next albums, "Stoner Witch" and "Stag," didn't really hit the mark. From 1999 onwards, almost all of the group's releases have been through Ipecac Recordings.
The band has released 27 albums, and Osborne said the secret is "I try to keep it as fresh as possible." For the next record, Melvins' original drummer Mike Dillard will return, and Crover will play bass. Additionally, there are plans to bring back drummer Coady Willis and the band's double-drummer sound for the following record.
"I'm not opposed to doing anything and have an open mind when it comes to that stuff," he said. "I'm excited about every prospect we have for recording or doing whatever we want. I don't let anything stand in my way. Until I don't want to do it or no one cares anymore, I'm going to continue doing my job like I always have because that's the deal I made."
If you go
What: Buzz Osborne and Trevor Dunn concert
When: 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1
Where: Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown
How much: $29.50
More info: pappyandharriets.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Buzz Osborne and Trevor Dunn to start tour at Pappy and Harriet's