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.
Boris
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take 'em up and take 'em down
I'd like to make a lot of, Generate the one eyed males
Build 'em up and let 'em fall
Just lay 'em on and leave the lily tight
Take 'em up and take 'em down
Generate, lay 'em flat like monkey eyed man
Stand 'em, tie 'em down
It's like sin
Boris likes a lot of little pigs to kick
Makes every single weapon he could ever feed
Boris feed
Let friend stone friend stone lie
Let's make, let's feel wanted
Take 'em up and take 'em down
My shake, mines monkey metal
Boris knows and Boris likes it all
It's like sin
It's a killer, she's a killer maker
It reaches in and takes from a value mind, and not awake, still live
20 bulls have the back and see the lions
I got a small, got what they call a lack
A lack of half-way cut bullets on my arm
I say I can't but I really mean I won't
In their arm, or maybe up a nole
I see it all
See Boris has a whale, see through my isles
He touches an affection, a master mime
Nebulae to me my arms and legs and spine
He's got you palled
I'm sinking, told you wait, like a straight armed druid
Let 'em room
The lyrics to Melvin's song, "Boris," are complicated and difficult to decipher. They seem to be discussing the desire to be wanted and the power that comes with being able to manipulate others. The lyrics are poetic and almost surreal, painting a vivid picture of a twisted and violent world.
The song begins with the desire to be wanted, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. The singer wants to generate "one-eyed males," or men who are weak and easily manipulated. The singer then talks about building these men up, just to let them fall, indicating a cruel and sadistic streak.
The lyrics become even more abstract and surreal as the song progresses, with references to "monkey-eyed men" and "20 bulls" with "lions on their back." The chorus refers to "Boris," who seems to be some kind of evil mastermind, and suggests that he enjoys violence and mayhem. Overall, the lyrics to "Boris" create a disturbing and unsettling atmosphere, leaving the listener to wonder about the meaning behind the song's many cryptic references.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to take, I'd like to feel wanted
Boris desires to be wanted and accepted by others
Take 'em up and take 'em down
Boris wants control over his surroundings, moving things in his favor
I'd like to make a lot of, Generate the one eyed males
Boris seeks to create a multitude of followers who can see only his perspective
Build 'em up and let 'em fall
Boris wants to have absolute control and manipulate his followers
Just lay 'em on and leave the lily tight
Boris wishes to dominate by forcing his subordinates to do his bidding and be obedient
Generate, lay 'em flat like monkey eyed man
Boris aims to flatten his thoughtless followers and make them comply with his orders
Leave 'em built right?
Boris wants his minions to remain unchanged, ignorant and loyal to him
Stand 'em, tie 'em down
Boris asserts dominance and imposes physical restraints on his subordinates
It's like sin
Boris derives pleasure and power from being immoral and corrupt
Boris likes a lot of little pigs to kick
Boris enjoys abusing and oppressing those who are weaker than him
Makes every single weapon he could ever feed
Boris develops means to exert his power upon others effectively
Boris feed
Boris sustains his power by exploiting his subordinates
Let friend stone friend stone lie
Boris permits harmful actions to be conducted by those under his command
Let's make, let's feel wanted
Boris incites his followers to seek power and control, making him feel more wanted and superior
My shake, mines monkey metal
Boris's demeanor is as rigid and strong as metal
Boris knows and Boris likes it all
Boris takes pleasure in everything he does, regardless of its morality
It's a killer, she's a killer maker
Boris understands that his actions are destructive and lead to the destruction of others
It reaches in and takes from a value mind, and not awake, still live
Boris manipulates his subordinates' minds while they remain unaware of their exploitation, allowing him to control them completely
20 bulls have the back and see the lions
Boris has powerful allies to support and defend him, while his enemies try to attack him
I got a small, got what they call a lack
Boris has a weakness, a vulnerability which he keeps to himself
A lack of half-way cut bullets on my arm
Boris has an unpreparedness and vulnerability which others could exploit
I say I can't but I really mean I won't
Boris is obstinate, refusing to comply with others even if he's able to do so
In their arm, or maybe up a nole
Boris is open to using any underhanded tactics to achieve his objectives
I see it all
Boris is fully aware of everything that happens in his vicinity
See Boris has a whale, see through my isles
Boris has an insurmountable advantage, and others are unable to overcome him
He touches an affection, a master mime
Boris uses his charm and charisma to manipulate and deceive others
Nebulae to me my arms and legs and spine
Boris feels endless, infinite power within himself
He's got you palled
Boris exercises control over his subordinates and restricts their freedom
I'm sinking, told you wait, like a straight armed druid
Boris feels uncomfortable with his current state, and experiences an anxious and disoriented mindset
Let 'em room
Boris wants his subordinates to have a degree of freedom, but not so much that they could gain any form of independence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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