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.
Claude
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those sub-dun potteries come over quite clear
Those who see both left and right
And claw excise dry bodies for a god to call
And I can leave you handy
The lyrics of the Melvins' song "Claude" are shrouded in ambiguity and surreal imagery, making it difficult to discern a straightforward message or narrative. However, there are a few possible interpretations of the lyrics that can be drawn from the imagery and language used.
One interpretation is that the song is critiquing religious or ideological extremism, particularly the way that people can become so consumed by their beliefs that they "claw excise dry bodies for a god to call." This could also be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of the way that people can harm themselves or others in the pursuit of a higher purpose, whether that be spiritual or political. The mention of "sub-dun potteries" could also be a commentary on the way that people create their own belief systems or versions of reality, shaping it in their own image, like a potter molding clay.
Another possible interpretation is that the song is exploring themes of identity and the struggle to define oneself in a world that is constantly shifting and uncertain. The line "those who see both left and right" could be interpreted as a reference to those who are able to see the world from multiple perspectives, but also those who are caught between two opposing forces, unable to choose a side. The phrase "the seeded truth be bare, my dear" suggests that there is some fundamental truth or reality that is being obscured or denied, and that the singer is trying to uncover it.
Overall, "Claude" is a complex and enigmatic song that invites interpretation and contemplation. Its surreal imagery and abstract language leave much to the imagination, making it both intriguing and challenging to unpack.
Line by Line Meaning
The seeded truth be bare, my dear
I must confess the unembellished truth, my love.
Those sub-dun potteries come over quite clear
The obscure activities of the underbelly are becoming glaringly obvious.
Those who see both left and right
Individuals who possess a balanced perspective.
And claw excise dry bodies for a god to call
They viciously remove lifeless bodies in the name of a divine being.
And I can leave you handy
I am able to depart without causing any inconvenience to you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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