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.
Grin
Melvins Lyrics
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Took a whole lot of money, said it was defense
A man with a grin, smiled at me
A tip of his hand, threatened to let go of me
He made it all go down, took off my coat
But I bid him, for good It was here I'd off the lum,
he wanted nine for all his own Little baby,
rattle sharp candy and I want to stick around What the world needs now,
This little fatherless sings in a modernly until you're old
With a synonym we let it all begin again far away
In the song "Grin" by the Melvins, the lyrics describe a situation where the character in the song has given up half of their summary and sense to someone who claimed it was for 'defense'. The man who took it with a grin and a tip of his hand threatened to let go of the character. The character handed over their coat and decided to leave for good. The man who took half of their summary and sense, wanted nine for all his own. The lyrics describe a little baby crying, the world needing wings and know-how, and that the character will keep singing until they are old. The character and the man part ways, and the song ends with the suggestion that it will all begin again far away.
The lyrics suggest that the character has given up something of themselves to someone who did not have their interests at heart. The situation is vague, giving the listener a chance to interpret what the song might be about. The melody and pace of the song are slow and somber, fitting the lyrical content that describes a situation that has ended badly. The use of vocabulary in the song is interesting, providing the listener with a unique perspective on what might have happened. The phrase 'grin' in the title of the song suggests that even though the situation was not good, there was a certain amount of irony or humor involved.
Line by Line Meaning
Half my summary, half my sense
I feel like I only understand half of what's going on, like I'm missing important information
Took a whole lot of money, said it was defense
Someone spent a lot of money on something that they called defense, but it's not clear if that was really necessary or if there is more to the story
A man with a grin, smiled at me
Someone with a smile on their face approached me
A tip of his hand, threatened to let go of me
He made a small gesture that seemed like a threat to release me from his grip
He made it all go down, took off my coat
This person was able to make something happen and then quickly remove an outer layer of protection or cover
But I bid him, for good It was here I'd off the lum, he wanted nine for all his own Little baby, rattle sharp candy and I want to stick around
Despite some kind of confrontation, the singer is not leaving and instead wants to stay and be involved, even though they may have to offer something or face a risk
What the world needs now, wings and the know-how greet him with a grin
The world needs more people who are skilled and capable, and who approach situations with a positive and inviting attitude
This little fatherless sings in a modernly until you're old
Someone who has been without a father is expressing themselves through a modern medium, and will continue to do so for a long time
With a synonym we let it all begin again far away
By using a different word that means the same thing, it's possible to start over or reimagine things from a distance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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