The Melvins are a sludge metal band that formed in Montesano, Washington, U… Read Full Bio ↴The Melvins are a sludge metal band that formed in Montesano, Washington, United States in 1983. The band currently consists of Buzz Osborne (vocals, guitar), Steven Shane McDonald (bass), and Dale Crover (drums). Osborne is the only remaining original member, although Crover has been a member since early in the band's career.

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.

Foaming
Melvins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Their low decision
With it till the end
I met a blue then
I'm more wire
What am I?
Quote a manly lady
'Cause that's not why you hear
Separate your leader

And mine keeps lower
B-O-T-O-C-I

I just wanted bottle
To live with civilized men
And change only science
Decide who would end it
I did my breathing
Sitting on the head
Borrow your meager
And I'll go and
Be a T-O-D-L

What we don't see
By nine we'll lead
By 90 degrees
By ever skin
By needle bins

Lie on the ground
Turn around

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Melvins' song Foaming are quite abstract and difficult to interpret. The song appears to be about a person feeling lost and disconnected from reality, struggling to make sense of their surroundings. The first verse seems to describe a feeling of indecisiveness, where the person is unsure of their own identity and is influenced by external factors. The mention of "B-O-T-O-C-I" is likely a reference to Botox, which is used to alter one's appearance and may be symbolic of the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards.

The second verse describes a desire for acceptance and a longing for a sense of normalcy. The line "I just wanted bottle to live with civilized men" suggests a yearning for the comforts and sophistication of civilized society. However, the singer is also aware of the limitations of science and the futility of trying to control the future. The final lines of the song seem to be a plea for help or guidance - "What we don't see / By nine we'll lead" - but ultimately end in ambiguity with the phrase "Turn around".

Overall, the meaning behind Foaming may be open to interpretation, much like many of the songs produced by the Melvins.

Line by Line Meaning

Their low decision
Their indecisiveness and lack of leadership

With it till the end
Despite the flaws, they are sticking with the decision until the end

I met a blue then
I encountered a depressing situation

I'm more wire
I feel more tense and nervous

What am I?
Questioning one's purpose and identity

Quote a manly lady
Referencing a strong, assertive woman

'Cause that's not why you hear
Challenging the status quo of societal expectations

Separate your leader
Removing oneself from an ineffective leader

And mine keeps lower
The artist's leader is less powerful or influential

B-O-T-O-C-I
A possible acronym or code with an unclear meaning