Tellus 360 is a warm room. Three chandeliers and a disco ball hang over a packed floor. Shoulder to shoulder from the doors to the rail. No photo pit. No marked spots. Last time I used the upstairs DJ booth; not tonight. I work the wall, slip side stage and keep low. Crew gives me the quick “don’t be dumb” look. I nod. It’s go time.
Redd Kross came on like they had somewhere to be. Steven counted four and they were off. Jeff leaned into the mic. Guitar a little dirty, hooks sharp. It felt lived-in, not polished. I shifted to the bass side and caught the brothers trading a quick smile mid song. People around me clapped on twos and fours. A few lines came back to the stage. Not loud. Sure.
Changeover was fast. Pedals down. Drums checked. Tape on a cable that probably didn’t need it. Merch line kept moving.
Melvins walked out and the air got heavier. Buzz planted and hit the first riff. Dale followed and the floor answered. Heads went from nods to full tilt. The middle stepped forward and stayed there. No speeches. No filler. Just weight and pocket. Songs stretched long enough to sit inside them. Conversation stopped. I framed hair against chandelier light and let the shutter work.
I tried the balcony rail for a minute. Bad angle. Back down. Hugged the riser. Shot, reset, out of the way. No one yelled. Good enough.
Crowd behavior was solid. Phones up for a quick grab, then down. Staff passed waters down the line. Security stayed calm. The back wall kept creeping forward until it wasn’t a back wall anymore.
Last chord hung. Quiet. Then I remembered the side exit. I packed cards and batteries and walked out to the alley with my ears still buzzing.
Photos: T. Cody Strubel / Rock Documented – Tellus 360
