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.
Berthas
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I couldn't find her
And tell her
I can't see
Be steady
got a line
On a system for that's right
Be ready To mind it
Get another hold over or wheel indeed
Jimmy boy got a knck on a lead but it sold so rare
And funny but it's cold for this here time of year
Been days and a night for sitting on his knee
Bandana in hail and he
seems to enjoy the breeze
Better back gone on far
Be ready to mind it
On a distant man of war
The lyrics of Melvin's song Berthas are highly metaphorical and open to interpretation, making it a subject of controversy amongst the fans. Some argue that it's a love song about a lost romance, while others see it as a commentary on the human condition. The lyrics touch on themes like longing, regret, and existentialism. The singer is trying to reach out to someone (presumably a woman) he once knew, but he can't find her. The imagery used is highly vivid but also cryptic, as the lines "Be steady got a line on a system that's right" and "Bandana in hail and he seems to enjoy the breeze" evoke unique, abstract scenarios open to interpretation.
The song's title, Berthas, is thought to have been coined after the name given to a large sewing machine used to sew leather. It's widely believed that the name was chosen to reflect the heaviness and grittiness of the song, as the machine was known for its power and strength. The song is also known to have a unique guitar sound, which fans have described as both minimalist and chaotic, adding to the song's lyrical ambiguity.
Line by Line Meaning
You should have told
The singer is expressing regret that someone did not confide in him/her.
But I couldn't find her
The singer was unable to locate the person who should have confided in him/her.
And tell her
The singer wishes to communicate something to the person who should have confided in him/her.
I can't see
The artist is unable to perceive something that is expected or desired.
Be steady
The artist encourages someone to remain calm, composed, and focused.
got a line
The singer has a plan or strategy.
On a system for that's right
The singer is confidently referring to a reliable, effective method or approach.
Be ready To mind it
The artist advises someone to be prepared to follow the plan or strategy mentioned in line 6.
On distant man of war
The artist is referencing a formidable opponent or adversary in a position far away.
Get another hold over or wheel indeed
The artist suggests obtaining an advantage over this adversary by any means necessary.
Jimmy boy got a knck on a lead but it sold so rare
The singer is commenting on someone named Jimmy who found success in an unexpected way.
And funny but it's cold for this here time of year
The artist comments on unusual or strange circumstances, such as unseasonable weather.
Been days and a night for sitting on his knee
The singer is waiting for someone for a long period of time, likely in a submissive or humbling position.
Bandana in hail and he
This line appears to be incomplete or unclear in its meaning.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roger Osborne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind