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.
Heaviness Of The Load
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of your droppin' down load
You're thinkin' of your influence
With a right to unload
'Cause you're ready for your tenure
And the droppin' down disease
There's somethin' in your influence
Take the right to unleash
Sneakin' up behind me
I'm goin' lots of lonely
But never gonna know it
You're the one that takes it to the
The Melvins' song "Heaviness Of The Load" is about a person who is burdened with their responsibilities and the weight of their own influence. The lyrics describe the singer as "a little heavy" and "dropping down load," which suggests he has taken on more than he can handle. He is considering unloading some of his responsibilities and is ready for his "tenure," or his time as a leader, to come to an end. He feels compelled to unleash the "something in [his] influence" but is struggling with the "dropping down disease," which may represent the stress and fatigue of his position. The lyrics also allude to the singer's loneliness, but he is resigned to his fate and will "never gonna know it."
Overall, the song conveys a sense of exhaustion and desperation. The singer is at a crossroads, considering what he needs to do to continue. The lyrics may resonate with people who feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities or experience pressure to lead and influence others.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a little heavy
You are carrying a heavy burden.
Of your droppin' down load
This burden is weighing you down and making it difficult for you to move forward.
You're thinkin' of your influence
You are focused on the impact you have on others.
With a right to unload
You feel entitled to relieving yourself of this burden.
'Cause you're ready for your tenure
You believe you have put in your time and earned the right to let go of this burden.
And the droppin' down disease
This burden is causing you to feel drained and hopeless.
There's somethin' in your influence
Your ability to impact others is affected by this burden.
Take the right to unleash
You want to release this burden and be free of its weight.
Your whistle rolly
You may be expressing a desire to be noticed for your struggles and accomplishments.
Sneakin' up behind me
Others may not be aware of the extent of your struggles and the burden you carry.
I'm goin' lots of lonely
Your struggles may be isolating and lonely.
But never gonna know it
Others may not understand the depth of your struggles and the burden you carry.
You're the one that takes it to the
You are the only one who can take action to relieve yourself of this burden.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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