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.
Easy as It Was
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You hold it up, a vicious twist
I guess you're better than your love
You knew that, easy as it was
Come on
Give me something special, something that I need
She makes a try, a simple lay-o
Gathered through the power sesho
Peel the skin away from my eyes
And look in She's all the things that you put away
So it's inside
They slip it in
I can hardly mix in
Without it all, your sin
Make the monkey crawl, my love
So you will let me know.
The song Easy as It Was by Melvins is a deeply introspective and emotional meditation on the feelings of the singer. The song seems to be addressing a person named Trish, who has suffered a broken heart. The song begins by acknowledging that Trish has endured this heartbreak and is still holding up a "piece of it" in a "vicious twist". The lyrics suggest that Trish is somehow better than her love and that she knew it would be "easy" to end the relationship. The singer then asks Trish to give him something special, something that he needs.
As the song progresses, it seems to be addressing the idea that Trish is trying to move on from the relationship, possibly with the singer. The lyrics mention a "simple lay-o" and "power sesho", which could refer to sexual encounters. However, the singer is also struggling with his own issues and mentions that he needs to "peel the skin away from [his] eyes" in order to see clearly. The song ends with the lyrics "So you will let me know", which could suggest that the singer is waiting for Trish to make a decision about their relationship.
Overall, Easy as It Was is a complex and emotional song that explores themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but the song seems to be addressing the struggles that come with moving on from a past relationship and trying to find something new.
Line by Line Meaning
Trish! Your broken heart's a piece of this
The singer addresses Trish, suggesting that her broken heart is just one piece of a larger issue.
You hold it up, a vicious twist
Trish is trying to deal with her broken heart in a way that is causing her pain and suffering.
I guess you're better than your love
The singer expresses the belief that Trish is more capable than her past failed relationship suggests.
You knew that, easy as it was
Trish was aware of her own strength and resilience, even if her previous relationship was easy in comparison.
Come on
The artist is prompting Trish to take some sort of action.
Give me something special, something that I need
The singer is asking Trish to provide him with something that will fulfill a specific need.
She makes a try, a simple lay-o
Someone, possibly Trish, is attempting to do something simple.
Gathered through the power sesho
What is being attempted is being accomplished through some sort of power or group session.
So I do hear your words
The artist acknowledges that he is listening to what Trish is saying.
Peel the skin away from my eyes
The artist wants to see things clearly and without any false pretenses or illusions.
And look in She's all the things that you put away
By looking deeper, the singer discovers that Trish embodies qualities that she has perhaps tried to bury or forget.
So it's inside They slip it in
The qualities that Trish has are already a part of her and they become more evident as time goes on.
I can hardly mix in Without it all, your sin
The singer feels disconnected and uncomfortable when he cannot recognize or accept Trish's true nature.
Make the monkey crawl, my love
The singer wants Trish to confront her inner demons so that they do not control her any longer.
So you will let me know.
The singer is waiting for Trish to communicate with him about her true self.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Claudio-lc8ld
Trish! Your broken heart's a piece of this
You hold it up, a vicious twist
I guess you're better than your love
You knew that, easy as it was
Come on
Give me something special, something that I need
She makes a try, a simple lay-o
Gathered through the power sesho
So I do hear your words
Peel the skin away from my eyes
And look in She's all the things that you put away
So it's inside
They slip it in
I can hardly mix in
Without it all, your sin
Make the monkey crawl, my love
So you will let me know.
@stompingoutsatan8635
The sludge is real
@ghosttownguy7472
The first ever Melvins song, damn it's good.
@Punk93Metal
I loaned this CD to a friend at school. I moved from that school now I don't have it anymore.
@rhettwilkerson1828
2:20 HOLY SHIT best part
@TourettesSomething
I'd be damn-pressed to find someone who randomly stumbles upon an obscure video with 3,000 views by a relatively obscure band and not know who they are.
@alexschuster1618
The melvins have the glory of being your favorite bands favorite band.
@amandeflorida880
I need this album... & a tee .
@nicolashunter4131
dale is amazing
@nigelcorney1915
TUFF AS FUCK!!!! 😤😤😤(like it should be)
@kanechitty8211
Just getting into Mudhoney, Green River, and the Melvin's. This is good, anybody have any tips on albums?