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.
Blessing The Operation
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is a type of insanity
It's about one whole bunch
Some people who get stamped
I take that as a yes
Give it to me
We gonna stick on your privacy
Slept calm
The lyrics of Melvins' song "Blessing The Operation" seem to be criticizing the idea of establishing morality as the foundation of a society, calling it a form of insanity. The lines "Founding on morality, Is a type of insanity" suggest that attempting to build a society solely based on morality is not only impractical but also illogical, as morality itself is subjective and can vary greatly from person to person. The song goes on to criticize the idea of conformity and how some people get "stamped" and labeled. The vocalist seems to be opposed to this kind of labeling and encourages freedom and privacy. The line "We gonna stick on your privacy" suggests that the band is trying to preserve individual rights and privacy.
The line "Slept calm" might indicate that the vocalist is not angry or frustrated with society but rather calm and collected while expressing their views. The song seems to be a commentary on societal norms, conformity, and privacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Founding on morality
Basing decisions solely on moral values
Is a type of insanity
Can be perceived as irrational behavior
It's about one whole bunch
Concerns a group of people
Some people who get stamped
Certain individuals who are labeled or judged by society
I take that as a yes
Interpreting a response as affirmation
Give it to me
Hand over something
We gonna stick on your privacy
We will respect your personal boundaries
Slept calm
Remained peaceful or undisturbed
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joeyjo-joshabadu9636
The moral of the story is no matter how fast you or how slow you are, Melvins will still kick your ass.
@prinznevsky
it's so cool that the melvins started out faster than everyone, and became slower than everyone
@bongeggs
this is one of my top 3 favorite Melvins songs
@shaft9000
This cut invented and remains the sole inhabitant of the Surrealist Hardcore idiom
I still don't know what's going on here 25+ yrs after 1st hearing this, and it's perfect that way
@Gi1BrO
real hardcore punk
@straggletag13
Goddam!!!! They can be viscious when they want to!!!
@criminyjimjims
lol, I now hear where all this Venom influence comes in XD
@shocxxxx
really real real post hardcore pre sludge grunge modern punk nu-metal heavy rock
@grimmcalypso396
Rawk and Rohl!!!
@Msbeforethenight
fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!