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.
At a Crawl
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were the best thing in my life 'til now
Heater moves, puts warmth in my heart
And stops without a word
Mouth full of your face & truth
And I've been waiting for a man like you
I waited, seated, a year or two
You were in love
But you are in love
You were in... you are in...
At a Crawl is a slow, melancholic track by the Melvins which seems to be about the singer's disillusionment with love and life in general. The crawling blue mice that bore holes through the walls may represent the feeling of being consumed by small, insignificant things that gradually wear at the soul. The lines "You were the best thing in my life 'til now" seem to indicate a loss of something special or someone meaningful, possibly a love interest. The mention of the heater putting warmth in the heart may suggest that this person was a source of comfort and happiness in the singer's life. However, the heater stops without warning, leaving the singer feeling cold and alone once again.
The next few lines suggest that the singer has been searching for someone like this person for a long time. Perhaps they have been waiting and hoping for something good to come into their life, and when it finally does, it is only temporary. The mention of a scowl suggests that there may have been some conflict or tension between the two, potentially leading to the end of the relationship.
Overall, At a Crawl seems to be about the fleeting nature of love and happiness in life. The crawling blue mice and the sudden disappearance of the warm heater serve as metaphors for the ephemeral nature of things that bring comfort and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Crawling blue mice bore holes through my walls
I am feeling vulnerable and exposed, as if small creatures are invading and taking over my personal space.
You were the best thing in my life 'til now
Although I had moments of happiness, you brought a level of joy and fulfillment to my life that I had never experienced before.
Heater moves, puts warmth in my heart
The simple act of turning on a heater is enough to bring me comfort and remind me of the potential warmth that exists within me.
And stops without a word
But this fleeting moment of warmth quickly fades away, leaving me feeling alone and abandoned once again.
Mouth full of your face & truth
I have so much to say to you, but struggle to articulate my feelings in a way that truly reflects my emotions.
And I've been waiting for a man like you
Despite my hesitation and fear, I have been longing for someone like you to enter my life and bring me the love and companionship I crave.
I waited, seated, a year or two
My patience and dedication to finding love have led me to wait for a significant amount of time, rooted in my commitment to finding the right person for me.
Your scowl was alone
But despite my hopes and dreams, your unapproachable and harsh demeanor ultimately made me feel isolated and rejected.
You were in love
At one point in time, you were capable of experiencing and sharing love with another person.
But you are in love
And although the object of your affection may have changed, you are still capable of feeling and expressing love in your life.
You were in... you are in...
Love is not a static emotion, but rather a constant evolving force that ebbs and flows throughout our lives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
714ez
I would love to see this whole album to get played live ♥
crowbarftw
First Melvins song Ive ever heard. Awesomeness. These guys certaintly have the honour of being my 3rd favorite band :D
Jan Micker
First cd i ever bought was this. Didnt even have a cd player yet, i had a friend tape it. Still to this day the heaviest album i have heard
C. Davis
When this CD came out, almost all music being called "heavy metal" at the time had devolved into soft happy-sounding ballads suited for 3 year old girls. Aside from the tiny underground start of extreme metal - this was the heaviest shit around.
Adam Wagner
dedication man
Maritza Martinez
i love my daily dose of MELVINS.
Rhett Wilkerson
@Walt Loggins wait is your name rocky or Walt loggins
avid2112
@Walt Loggins I have a thought,she isn't interested lol
Walt Loggins
I love you and I don't even know you! My name is Rocky, I'm 35 and Im from Nashville Tennessee. Been in love with the Melvin's and sludge\doom metal since I first heard it in 1993. Any thoughts or questions?
Jeffrey Rolek
MELVINS are always great.This was the first vinyl I found.