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.
Charmicarmicat
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll regret my soul
This is the more I've craved for
In the endless steam
It rescues me
She's more like someone else than me
Wash away
She's more like somone else, not me
Bastards take the other way
They back away.
They back away.
They back away.
They back away.
They back away.
They back away.
The lyrics to Melvins's song "Charmicarmicat" depict a sense of regret and longing for something desired yet unattainable. The opening line, "Fine horses don't know," suggests that even the most beautiful and majestic creatures do not understand or care about the singer's inner turmoil. The phrase "I'll regret my soul" implies that the singer has made a grave mistake and will carry the burden of it forever. The line "This is the more I've craved for," indicates that the singer has been chasing after something for a long time, possibly at the expense of other important aspects of life. The phrase "In the endless steam, it rescues me" suggests that the desired object or person provides some form of escape or relief for the singer from their troubles.
However, there is a sense of detachment from this desired person, as the singer notes that "She's more like someone else than me." This could imply that the singer has lost touch with themselves and their identity due to their intense fixation on this person or thing. The repeated refrains of "Wash away" and "Wish away" suggest a desire to erase past mistakes and escape from problems, but also hint at the futility of such actions. The second half of the lyrics depict a confrontation with "bastards" who "back away." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer's fears and insecurities, which are causing them to push away those who may offer help and support. Overall, "Charmicarmicat" is a melancholic and introspective song that explores themes of regret, longing, self-identity, and avoidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Fine horses don't know
Referring to elite society who may not understand or value the singer's struggles.
I'll regret my soul
The singer is aware of the negative consequences their actions will have on their soul, but feels compelled to do them anyway.
This is the more I've craved for
The singer is obsessed with a desire they cannot resist or control, despite knowing it may lead to their downfall.
In the endless steam
The artist feels lost, overwhelmed, and trapped in a never-ending cycle of their desires and actions.
It rescues me
Despite the negative consequences, the artist finds some form of relief or escape in their actions.
She's more like someone else than me
The singer has lost touch with their true self and identity, and feels like they are becoming someone they do not recognize.
Wash away
The singer wishes to cleanse themselves of their actions and the guilt that comes with it.
She's more like somone else, not me
Repeating the previous line to reinforce the idea that the artist is becoming someone they do not recognize.
Wish away.
The artist desperately wants to escape their situation and the consequences of their actions, but knows it is not possible.
Bastards take the other way
The artist sees others choosing a different, safer path, but feels compelled to continue down their own self-destructive path.
They back away.
Others distance themselves from the singer and their actions, recognizing the unhealthy and dangerous nature of it.
They back away.
Repeating the previous line to reinforce the idea that others are distancing themselves from the artist and their actions.
They back away.
Repeating the previous line again to emphasize how alone and isolated the singer is in their actions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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