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.
Bar
Melvins Lyrics
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Sit down and hold this town in fever
This mind is most of all like a vulture on a nail
And now he knows distorting feeler hell
This time he knows distorting
Be now the first of all, by the low end on avoid
It's a pig, it's an eye, it's a soul, it's a seether
Dig down the voice distorting feeler hell
Chicks hide the most distorting
The lyrics of Melvins' song "Bar X the Rocking M" are notoriously difficult to interpret as they seem to be a series of fragmented thoughts and images strung together with no clear narrative. It appears that the song deals with themes of alienation, fear, and anxiety.
The opening line is particularly evocative, with the phrase "Come big slide across bitter by hiding hold a hail" conjuring up a sense of movement and tension. The line seems to suggest a figurative sliding or slipping sensation, perhaps due to fear or anxiety. The use of the word "hail" in this context is particularly interesting, as it could allude to the idea of being pelted with a hailstorm of negative thoughts, emotions, or experiences.
The following lines are similarly cryptic and fragmented, with the phrase "Sit down and hold this town in fever" suggesting a sense of being trapped or overwhelmed by one's surroundings. The mention of a vulture on a nail adds a sense of morbidity and decay to the lyrics, perhaps signifying the singer's feelings of being trapped or stuck in a situation they cannot escape.
The chorus of the song is equally obscure, with lines like "Be now the first of all, by the low end on avoid" adding to the sense of confusion and disorientation. Despite the difficult-to-decipher lyrics, "Bar X the Rocking M" remains a powerful and evocative song, one that captures the intensity and raw emotion for which Melvins are known.
Line by Line Meaning
Come big slide across bitter by hiding hold a hail
Approach the situation with caution and concealment, as bitterness may be present. Prepare yourself to withstand any harsh conditions that may come your way.
Sit down and hold this town in fever
Stay in one place and endure the intense energy and emotions that are currently present in this town.
This mind is most of all like a vulture on a nail
The person's mind is fixated on something and unable to let go, much like a vulture's talons gripping a nail.
And now he knows distorting feeler hell
The person has a clear understanding of the intense emotional pain and confusion that comes from feeling distorted and unable to communicate effectively.
This time he knows distorting
The person has experienced and recognizes the sensation of distortion and is now able to identify it when it occurs again.
Be now the first of all, by the low end on avoid
Take initiative and avoid getting caught up in anything that may bring about negative consequences. Stay grounded and avoid extremes.
It's a pig, it's an eye, it's a soul, it's a seether
The situation or person being described is multifaceted, with different elements that may take on different forms or intentions.
Big eye and hold it all, by the riding on a head
Stay aware of everything that's going on around you and maintain your composure, even when facing challenging situations.
Dig down the voice distorting feeler hell
Face the distorted feelings head-on and work through the intense emotions that come with them.
Chicks hide the most distorting
People who appear innocent or unassuming may actually be the ones most likely to distort the truth or cause chaos.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DALE CROVER, MARK DEUTROM, ROGER OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind