In the early days of their career their dark, heavy, oppressively slow sound made them innovators of genres like sludge, grunge, and doom metal. The Melvins' music is influenced by Flipper, Black Flag's My War-era hardcore punk and Black Sabbath-style heavy metal, but their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. Singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover are constant members while several bass guitarists have cycled through the group. The Melvins usually performed as a trio until 2006 when two members of Big Business became permanent members of the band.
The band was named after a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne was employed. Melvin was the most-hated fellow employee and the band felt it to be an appropriate name. Like SF noisenik predecessors Flipper, their love of slow tempos and sludgy sound were a strong influence on grunge music, especially Nirvana and many other bands from Seattle. Their protegés, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound.
Though the group has received mostly positive critical notice, Crover's drumming has been especially praised; Patrick Kennedy describes his work as "astonishing, powerful, and daring."
While never finding and most likely never even seeking great mainstream success, the Melvins maintain an impressive schedule of new albums and tours, including a collaboration with Fantômas in The Fantômas Melvins Big Band, two releases with former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, and in 2004 the Melvins collaborated with ambient artist Lustmord for Pigs of the Roman Empire. In appreciation of their devoted fans, the Melvins have released various collectables through the years that have included two-headed dolls, an eight-track tape, and a plastic fetus in a jar.
Fellow Aberdeen resident Kurt Cobain (a good friend of Crover) was a huge Melvins fan and helped them transport their equipment to a few shows. Cobain also auditioned to join the band on bass, but he didn't make it, reportedly because he was so nervous that he forgot all the songs. Cobain maintained his relation with the band. Later he produced and played on some songs (guitar on "Sky Pup", percussion on "Spread Eagle Beagle") on the band's major label debut, Houdini. Dale Crover is also attributed as playing on the Nirvana debut album, Bleach, and on "Incesticide". In addition, Dave Grohl (ex-drummer for Nirvana) co-wrote and played drums for Isabella on Buzzo's Melvins solo album, King Buzzo.
A History Of Drunks
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She took the blade, dug them out while I lay screaming
She showed me bloody things and held them in her hand
And said that these were hers and put them in her pocket
I begged her to shoot me in the head
She took my gun and shot my leg instead
The way she held my gun and looked at me with rage
And now she stays with me; it's crazy, but she's mine
She tells me I'm insane because she doesn't lie
She was the killing me; she left me here to die
And all the ways that worries all right
The lyrics of Melvins's song "A History of Drunks" tell the story of a person who has been wounded in some way, physically and/or emotionally, and is saved by a woman who takes care of them. The person is in so much pain and distress that they ask her to shoot them in the head, but instead the woman takes their gun and shoots their leg, saving their life. The person becomes grateful for the woman's help, and they become romantically involved despite their dysfunctional relationship.
The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, but one possible explanation is that the wounded person represents someone who is struggling with addiction or mental illness, and the woman represents a caretaker or therapist who helps them heal. The person wants to be put out of their misery, but the woman knows that they need to work through their pain to survive. The line "She tells me I'm insane because she doesn't lie" suggests that the woman is tough-love type who won't coddle the person's delusions about their own behavior.
Additionally, the lyrics draw attention to the complicated dynamics of unhealthy relationships, where the person is both saved and hurt by the other person's actions. It is clear that the singer is not in a healthy relationship, but they remain with the other out of some sense of obligation, love or loyalty. Overall, the lyrics of "A History of Drunks" tell a dark and twisted tale of survival, dependence, and manipulation.
Line by Line Meaning
She helped me remove the bullet from my leg
She helped me through a painful time in my life.
She took the blade, dug them out while I lay screaming
She went to great lengths to help me and it was a difficult and painful process for me.
She showed me bloody things and held them in her hand
She was willing to confront the worst aspects of my situation and help me through them.
And said that these were hers and put them in her pocket
She took ownership and responsibility for the difficult things that we were dealing with.
I begged her to shoot me in the head
I was so overwhelmed by the pain that I wanted to die.
She took my gun and shot my leg instead
She took control of the situation and let me know that death was not an option.
The way she held my gun and looked at me with rage
She was angry with me for wanting to give up and she made sure I knew.
Told me that everything was okay and I survived
Despite the difficulties, she reassured me that everything would be alright and that I could get through it.
And now she stays with me; it's crazy, but she's mine
Despite the chaos and pain we've been through, she has stayed with me and I feel grateful to have her in my life.
She tells me I'm insane because she doesn't lie
She is honest with me and helps me to see myself objectively, even when it's painful.
She was the killing me; she left me here to die
She pushed me to face my own flaws and weaknesses, even though it was difficult and painful.
And all the ways that worries all right
Despite the difficulties, everything is going to be okay in the end.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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