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.
Echo Head-Don't Piece Me
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smokin' like a dreamer
Don't piece me in
Tear apart your headache
Take it in your rib tee
Check the placid league fight
It's your symbol
Choose what's in my skull
Oh, God, it looks so beautiful
Never, never is an ugly word
The lyrics to the Melvins' song "Echo Head/Don't Piece Me" are largely abstract and difficult to interpret without understanding the songwriter's intentions or influences. However, there are some themes that can be discerned based on the language used and the overall tone of the song. The opening lines, "Don't piece me / Smokin' like a dreamer / Don't piece me in," suggest a desire for freedom or independence, perhaps from societal norms or expectations. The next few lines, "Tear apart your headache / Take it in your rib tee / Check the placid league fight / It's your symbol," continue this theme of rebellion and nonconformity.
The following lines, "Choose what's in my skull / Never run, never / Oh, God, it looks so beautiful / Never, never is an ugly word," are perhaps the most inscrutable, as they seem to veer away from the previous theme. This section might suggest a longing for creativity or an openness to new ideas, but the final line, "Never, never is an ugly word," is a paradox, since "never" implies a lack of action or possibility. Overall, "Echo Head/Don't Piece Me" is a song that celebrates individuality, but also acknowledges the difficulty and uncertainty that can come with rejecting conventional thinking.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't piece me
Don't deceive or manipulate me
Smokin' like a dreamer
Behaving in a foolish, unrealistic manner
Don't piece me in
Don't trap or confine me
Tear apart your headache
Deal with your problems and find a solution
Take it in your rib tee
Endure the pain or suffering
Check the placid league fight
Observe the conflict within oneself or in society
It's your symbol
It represents something significant to you
Choose what's in my skull
Follow my thoughts or decision-making process
Never run, never
Don't give up or surrender
Oh, God, it looks so beautiful
Sarcastic remark about something unpleasant or ugly
Never, never is an ugly word
Refusal to use the word 'never' as it implies finality or defeat
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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