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.
Halo of Flies
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you've got the money to pay me in gold
I will be living in Old Monte Carlo
And you will be reading the secrets of soul
Daggers and contracts and shiny limos
I've got a watch that turns into a lifeboat
Glimmering nightgowns and poisonous cobras
Silence under the heel of my shoe
They sent her to lie here on her back
But as she deeply moves me
She'd rather shoot me in my tracks
And while a Middle Asian lady
She really came as no surprise
But I still did destroy her
And I will smash
Halo of flies
I crossed the ocean
Where no-one could see
And I put a time bomb in your submarine
Goodbye to old friends
The secret's in hand
With full discs and printouts
And fantastic plans
You never will understand
"Halo of Flies" by Melvins is a song about someone who claims to have all the answers to the listener's questions, but only if they pay them in gold. The singer then describes a luxurious lifestyle and the tools they possess, such as daggers, contracts, and a watch that can turn into a lifeboat. The mood shifts to a sinister tone with the mention of poisonous cobras and the singer's ability to silence with the heel of their shoe. The elegance of China is juxtaposed with the Middle Asian lady who came as no surprise, but the singer still destroyed her. This leads to the chorus of the song, "Halo of flies", which could be interpreted as the metaphor for the consequences of the singer's actions.
The singer then talks about how they crossed the ocean, planted a time bomb in the listener's submarine, said goodbye to old friends, and have full discs and printouts with fantastic plans that the listener will never understand. The metaphorical references and poetic language create a sense of mystery and intrigue, leaving the listener with more questions than answers. The song's intense energy and driving beat intensify the feeling of danger.
Overall, "Halo of Flies" is a haunting and enigmatic song that delves into the darker side of life. The singer's confident tone and disturbing imagery leave a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the answers to all of your questions
I have a wealth of knowledge and insight that can provide answers to any questions you may have.
If you've got the money to pay me in gold
All of my services come at a high cost, and payment is expected in valuable gold.
I will be living in Old Monte Carlo
I plan to live a lavish and luxurious lifestyle in the affluent city of Monte Carlo.
And you will be reading the secrets of soul
While I enjoy my life of luxury, you will be left with nothing but my written works to read, which contain the knowledge of the human soul.
Daggers and contracts and shiny limos
My lifestyle is filled with both dangerous weapons and binding contracts, as well as flashy limousines.
I've got a watch that turns into a lifeboat
My possessions are not only extravagant but also practical, as my watch doubles as a life-saving lifeboat.
Glimmering nightgowns and poisonous cobras
As part of my luxurious lifestyle, I have access to shimmering nightgowns and dangerous cobras, the latter of which can be used to harm others.
Silence under the heel of my shoe
I hold a great deal of power over others and can silence them with the mere placement of my foot.
The elegance of China
I appreciate the beauty and sophistication of Chinese culture and incorporate it into my own lifestyle.
They sent her to lie here on her back
The woman in question was explicitly sent to seduce me.
But as she deeply moves me
Despite her ulterior motives, I have developed strong feelings for her.
She'd rather shoot me in my tracks
However, instead of reciprocating my feelings, she would rather kill me on sight.
And while a Middle Asian lady
The woman in question is from a Middle Eastern or Asian background.
She really came as no surprise
Her betrayal did not come as a shock to me.
But I still did destroy her
Although her betrayal was not unexpected, I still made sure to inflict great harm upon her in retribution.
And I will smash
I will continue to cause destruction and chaos in the lives of those who wrong me.
Halo of flies
The constant presence of flies around me represents the death and decay that follows me wherever I go.
I crossed the ocean
I traveled a great distance, potentially to escape from the fallout of my actions.
Where no-one could see
I made sure to go to a location where no one would be able to witness what I was doing.
And I put a time bomb in your submarine
As an act of vengeance, I placed a bomb in your submarine that will detonate at a specific time.
Goodbye to old friends
I have cut ties with my old acquaintances and friends in pursuit of personal gain and power.
The secret's in hand
I possess knowledge or secrets that could be harmful to others.
With full discs and printouts
My information is backed up on physical disks and hard copies for safekeeping and future use.
And fantastic plans
I have grand schemes and ideas that are beyond the scope of what most people can comprehend.
You never will understand
The depth and complexity of my plans are beyond the grasp of others and will remain a mystery to them.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL BRUCE, NEAL SMITH, GLEN BUXTON, DENNIS DUNAWAY, ALICE COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sydIRISH
One of the best Alice Cooper covers ever. They do basically this version with Jello Biafra on "Sieg Howdy!".
May be my favorite AC song, with "Dwight Frye" and "Hello Hooray". That's tough though, SO MANY!!!!
Jacob A
This gave me chills.
Didjer Riddim
Same stuff
Chris K
I saw them perform this cover about 10 years ago in Phoenix. Unreal how close it is to the original. Love the Melvins and Alice Cooper, I need to get the studio version of this to listen to.
Gary Hunt
Wow never heard of them, but they totally nailed this cover awesome!! 👊
David Langlois
So glad to find a live (video!) of this cover exists. Been enjoying the studio version for some time. This classic takes me back to the age of 8-tracks! :P
Anton Dillét
I like this line up, saw them live in this constellation. But the other line ups were also great...
Henryk Musolf
Best AC cover ever.
Steven Bedford
have you heard the one with Jello (and the Melvins) on vocals
franzingwer
great band! cool song! thanx for posting! thumbs up!