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.
Adolescent Wet Dream
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
adolescent wet dream
this is a tune form
Pussy Galore
set it up
pussy blame
like a sinner shelter
move in now
won't you shut up?
yeah
every frequent mammal
oh sins around
and bashes it out
its like a bah
I'm not a saint
like a sinner shelter
swing it on now from now
honesty got to say
oh you gonna mess it up
who never gonna fuck it up
yeah
what the hell were you thinking of?
The lyrics of Melvins’ song “Adolescent Wet Dream” could indicate the confusion and lack of direction or purpose felt by teenagers as they navigate through puberty and adolescence. The title itself suggests the uncontrolled sexual desires and fantasies that can consume teenagers during this phase. The lines “every frequent mammal,” “oh sins around, and bashes it out,” and “like a sinner shelter” suggest the prevalence and indulgence of sexual behavior in society. The use of the words “Pussy Galore” and “pussy blame” could indicate a suppression or demonization of female sexuality. The lines “honesty got to say, oh you gonna mess it up, who never gonna fuck it up” could suggest the fear of making mistakes and the pressure to conform to societal norms.
The overall tone and sound of the song are heavy and chaotic, which could reflect the emotional turmoil and confusion that teenagers experience during adolescence. The repetition of the phrase “like a sinner shelter” could suggest a longing for refuge or guidance during this tumultuous period. The line “won’t you shut up?” could indicate a frustration or rebellion towards authority figures or those who try to control or limit their behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
ha
An expression used to convey amusement or acknowledgement of a situation.
adolescent wet dream
Refers to a fantasy or unrealistic desire that is usually related to sexual matters and is typical of adolescence.
this is a tune form
Indicates that the current song being played is from a specific style of music or a particular artist.
Pussy Galore
A reference to the American noise rock band of the same name, possibly suggesting the song's influence or connection to them.
set it up
A call to initiate something or start a process.
pussy blame
A phrase that can be interpreted in different ways, possibly meaning the blame that is often put on women for sexual matters or how the song's themes are related to the band Pussy Galore.
like a sinner shelter
A metaphorical statement that implies seeking refuge or finding comfort in one's sins or vices.
move in now
An instruction or suggestion to take immediate action without hesitation or delay.
stay at home
A phrase that can be interpreted in various ways, possibly referring to staying within the comfort zone or a call to avoid temptations outside.
won't you shut up?
A phrase used to ask someone to stop talking or to silence oneself.
yeah
An affirmative expression that conveys agreement or acknowledgement.
every frequent mammal
Refers to all individuals, humans or animals, who repeatedly engage in certain behaviors or activities.
oh sins around
A statement that reflects on the idea that sins or negative influences are present in one's life or surroundings.
and bashes it out
May refer to how individuals deal with their negative influences and conflicts by confronting or hitting them head-on.
its like a bah
A nonsensical phrase that may signify a need for expression or emphasis without any specific meaning or context.
I'm not a saint
A statement that emphasizes the singer's human nature and fallibility, rather than any divine or higher power.
like a sinner shelter
A repeat of the previous line that further emphasizes the idea of finding comfort in one's unsavory actions or thoughts.
swing it on now from now
An energetic call to action that may mean to start moving or acting in a certain way.
honesty got to say
A statement that indicates the need for the truth and straightforwardness in communication and behavior.
oh you gonna mess it up
May be a warning or a criticism towards another person, suggesting that their actions or decisions will have negative consequences or will ruin something.
who never gonna fuck it up
A rhetorical question that implies one's confidence or certainty in their ability to not make mistakes or ruin things.
yeah
Repeating the affirmative expression from before to reinforce the message.
what the hell were you thinking of?
A question that expresses disapproval or disbelief towards someone's actions or decision-making process.
Contributed by Brayden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@7kole4
FUCKING SICK!
@anitagrey7356
❤❤❤
@wobblesmcgee2709
Buzz wearing that dress gave me a chubb!