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.
Civilized Worm
Melvins Lyrics
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I came with my poor four eyes crawling, weakling, warning
My favorite comes and lies here
Under my bed or deep under my fingers
We're on my hands and knees in times of winding
We night it's only when we civilize that worm
For vagrant time we need it
For chance to believe it, believe it ?
His widow's nest is growing cold, cold, cold
Set sail a nurture and he work a lot, you're going home ?
The lyrics of Civilized Worm by the Melvins are, in typical Melvins fashion, mysterious and open to interpretation. The song seems to describe a strained relationship or perhaps a deal with a dangerous or unpredictable character. The opening lines suggest a fear of the unknown and a sense of vulnerability as the singer crawls around, possibly trying to avoid detection. The reference to a favorite lying under the bed or fingers is ambiguous, but could suggest something or someone that the singer is attached to, providing comfort or security.
The next lines are even more cryptic, with references to "times of winding" and "vagrant time". It's unclear what these phrases mean, but they suggest a sense of unpredictability and unrest. The chorus seems to suggest that the singer is trying to tame or control some force, represented by the "civilized worm". There is a yearning to understand something that is not yet known, a desire to have faith in something that is uncertain. The final lines seem to suggest that someone's actions will lead to their downfall or inevitable fate.
Overall, the lyrics of Civilized Worm are a blend of vivid imagery and enigmatic statements that leave the interpretation up to the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
We move more than I would like to gamble
I'm uncomfortable with how much we're changing
I came with my poor four eyes crawling, weakling, warning
I came here afraid and alert, unable to see clearly
My favorite comes and lies here
My favorite thing is here with me
Under my bed or deep under my fingers
It is hidden somewhere close to me
We're on my hands and knees in times of winding
We are struggling and crawling during challenging times
We night it's only when we civilize that worm
We only have peace at night when we tame our fears
For vagrant time we need it
When we wander in uncertainty, we seek comfort
What secret of your knowing is there beginning?
What insight do you have that can help us start anew?
For chance to believe it, believe it ?
We want to believe there is hope, even if it's a slim chance
His widow's nest is growing cold, cold, cold
The loneliness left behind by this loss is unbearable
Set sail a nurture and he work a lot, you're going home ?
If you work hard and care for others, will you find peace in the end?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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