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.
Black Stooges
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then appeal?
To pirate along
And it's not alive
I don't know if I can lead
The wielder beast
And he's white
Soggy lies
It's hot in here tonight
And there's not a lot of light
What are you?
And what is he?
Apposed to work
And I sit aloud
Moats of rays
And in my way
The wings collide
And it's lonely
Seems to be
That we could eat
The world of war
And I'm wound
The lyrics of "Black Stooges" by Melvins lament the futility of dealing with the chaotic and uncontrollable forces of life. The first few lines ask why bother trying to negotiate or appeal to these forces, comparing it to piracy - a ruthless and lawless pursuit. The line "And it's not alive" suggests that these forces are not sentient or rational, further reinforcing the idea that dealing with them is ultimately futile. The singer then expresses uncertainty about being able to lead the "wielder beast" - a metaphor for the uncontrollable forces. The line "And he's white soggy lies" suggests that these forces are also deceptive and perhaps corrupt in nature.
The next few lines describe the singer's current state - he is awake, hot, and in a poorly-lit environment. He then questions what he and the wielder beast are meant to do, implying that there is some purpose they are supposed to fulfill but it is unclear what that is. The line "And I sit aloud" suggests that he is alone and talking to himself about these questions. The metaphorical phrase "moats of rays" is ambiguous in meaning but suggests something obstructing the singer's path. The line "The wings collide" is also metaphorical and implies conflict or chaos. The song ends on a brooding note with the idea that the world could perhaps be consumed by war, leaving the singer feeling "wound" up.
Line by Line Meaning
Why deal?
What is the point of going through with something?
And then appeal?
And then try to convince others to join in on it?
To pirate along
To steal and take part in illegal activity
And it's not alive
And it doesn't have any real meaning or purpose
I don't know if I can lead
I don't know if I have it in me to take charge
The wielder beast
The person or thing in control
And he's white
And he seems pure or innocent
Soggy lies
Misinformation or deceit that is easily seen through
And I'm awake
And I am alert and aware
It's hot in here tonight
It is uncomfortable or tense in this situation
And there's not a lot of light
And there is not much clarity or understanding of what is going on
What are you?
Who are you and what is your purpose in this situation?
And what is he?
And who is he and what is his role in this situation?
Apposed to work
Instead of working together towards a common goal
And I sit aloud
And I express my thoughts openly
Moats of rays
Beams of light that form barriers or obstacles
And in my way
And hindering my progress or success
The wings collide
Two opposing forces clash and interfere with each other
And it's lonely
And it is a solitary and isolating experience
Seems to be
Appears to be or gives the impression of
That we could eat
That we could consume or destroy
The world of war
The idea of conflict and destruction being the norm
And I'm wound
And I am agitated or upset
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing, Cloud9
Written by: JORN BRANDS, MELVIN KUITERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind