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.
Horse Faced Goon
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why's he walk like seemingly horses?
And he's smart, there's no denying
But he's keeping that to himself
Not clean, he's (?)
Shooting dope in the flow of the hurricane
Throwing up and now he's crying
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Brian, the horse-faced goon
What's the matter with Brian?
Why's he walk like seemingly horses?
And he's smart, there's no denying
But he's keeping that to himself
Not clean, he's (?)
Shooting dope in the flow of the hurricane
Throwing up and now he's crying
And Brian is all alone
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Goon
Goon
Goon
The Melvins’ song “1 Brian the Horse-Faced Goon” centers around a character named Brian who is experiencing what appears to be a drug-induced crisis. The song begins with the singer asking “What’s the matter with Brian?”, remarking on his unusual gait and tendency to keep his smarts to himself. The lyrics go on to describe Brian’s drug use, which is portrayed as problematic and isolating. The line “Shooting dope in the flow of the hurricane” conjures up images of chaos and desperation. As the song progresses, Brian becomes physically ill, throwing up and crying, and ultimately finds himself all alone.
The song feels like a commentary on drug addiction and the toll it takes on individuals and their relationships. The singer is observing Brian’s downward spiral from a distance, unable to help or intervene. The repetition of the line “Brian, the horse-faced goon” feels almost taunting, as if the singer is mocking Brian’s predicament.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the matter with Brian?
What is wrong with Brian?
Why's he walk like seemingly horses?
Why does he walk like he's horse-like?
And he's smart, there's no denying
He is intelligent without question
But he's keeping that to himself
But he's not sharing that with anyone
Not clean, he's (?)
He's not clean, and something is unclear
Shooting dope in the flow of the hurricane
He's taking drugs while in a chaotic situation
Throwing up and now he's crying
He's vomiting and now crying
And Brian is all alone
And Brian is by himself
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Brian, the ugly and awkward person
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Brian, the ugly and awkward person
Goon
Ugly and awkward person
Goon
Ugly and awkward person
Goon
Ugly and awkward person
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roger Osborne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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What's the matter with Brian?
Why's he walk like seemingly horses?
And he's smart, there's no denying
But he's keeping that to himself
Not clean, he's (?)
Shooting dope in the flow of the hurricane
Throwing up and now he's crying
And Brian is all alone
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Brian, the horse-faced goon
What's the matter with Brian?
Why's he walk like seemingly horses?
And he's smart, there's no denying
But he's keeping that to himself
Not clean, he's (?)
Shooting dope in the flow of the hurricane
Throwing up and now he's crying
And Brian is all alone
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Brian, the horse-faced goon
Goon
Goon
Goon
Neozzick Mixes
My name is Brian, and I'm completely into this song. The whole album really
J Freddy
I love this song! It just inspired me to get off my sick dead ass and start playing my bass today🎸
whispersmith
Hope your ass gets better bud
WatcherOfTheSkies
This album reminds me a lot of their earlier stuff! :)
AB Mendez
Mike Dillard may be the reason :)
WatcherOfTheSkies
@petercrouchole A Senile Animal, maybe? :)
petercrouchole
which of their earlier stuff does this remind you?
Keith Barlow
Which is exactly what I've been hoping they would do. Best material they've released in years.
Sebastian Galeano
Indeeeed
Keith Bornzin
Seen them MORE than ANY musical live band, evah! 🎶🖤🥁🤘💀👾🗿🛸👽👀😱