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.
Antitoxidote
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Set go and let it affect of me
Tried hard
To let her stay
When she's like a piece of candy I know
Nasty gonna let it toss away
Hey!
[Repeat: x4]
Pigs don't let it
No no no
Like a hole when I needed somebody I know
Pigs don't let it
No no no
Like sinners
Watch that rock 'n' roll
Pigs don't let it
No no no no no!
Maybe since I'm mad inside my heart
Set go and let it affect of me
When she's like a piece of candy, I know
Bless you
Gonna let it toss away
Hey!
The lyrics of Melvins' song Antitoxidote seem to be about someone struggling to control their emotions, as indicated by the line "maybe since I'm mad inside my heart." They seem to be fighting against their urges to let their anger affect them and push away someone significant in their life. The line "Tried hard to let her stay" suggests that the person is aware of the negative impact their emotions are having on their relationship and is attempting to hold onto it despite their struggles.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Pigs don't let it" several times, which could be interpreted as an admonition to resist the influence of negative emotions. The subsequent lines about needing someone and watching "that rock 'n' roll" imply a desire for connection and an appreciation for music.
Overall, the lyrics of Antitoxidote offer a glimpse into the inner turmoil of a person struggling to balance their emotions and maintain relationships despite their challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe since I'm mad inside my heart
Perhaps because I'm angry internally
Set go and let it affect of me
I'll release my anger and let it consume me
Tried hard
I attempted my best
To let her stay
To persuade her to remain
When she's like a piece of candy I know
When she's desirable and tempting
Nasty gonna let it toss away
Too bad I'm going to cast it aside
Hey!
Listen up!
Pigs don't let it
Don't allow it, like pigs wouldn't
No no no
Absolutely not
Like a hole when I needed somebody I know
Just like a need for somebody to fill a hole in my life
Like sinners
Like those who commit sins
Watch that rock 'n' roll
Be wary of the dangers of rock 'n' roll
Pigs don't let it
Don't allow it, like pigs wouldn't
No no no no no!
Absolutely not, not at all
Bless you
An exclamation of surprise
Gonna let it toss away
I'll let it go to waste
Hey!
Listen up!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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