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.
How About
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the city of New Orleans, bound by drugs, bound by alcohol
Committing the different acts of sin, living beneath my privilege
Doing things that were contrary to God as well as the law
But after all the things that I did
And after all the sins that I committed
One day I heard about Jesus
I'm just like the woman that heard about Jesus
But I had a problem with lying too and lying was sin
I was living in sin, living and doing things I wanted to do
Living and seeing what I wanted to see
But one day Jesus touched my life
And when Jesus came in, the liquor went out, the drugs went out
My old lady, the lord bleeds
I thank God my sins and judge every
And I have a right to the tree
Doesn't mean jack to me and everyone that knows Jesus and everyone that's been born again
And everyone that's been washed in the blood
You heard the brother singing about the blood
It's stuff about the blood
It's stuff about the blood of Jesus and wash away your sins
And wash your mind and wash your heart and wash your life, oh praise God
I thank God for that opportunity and I just want to let you know
That he loves us and the Bible backs it up
"That God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son
That whoever should believe in him shall not perish but have an everlasting life."
What's the plan when he comes through this door?
What happens? Speak up, Butch, please
Well, he goes on and goes up to the elevator, gets drunk
But, I mean, what does he do?
He comes through this through this door?
Why don't you just tell me?
He comes through this door, goin' around and takes the elevator
What is this, the kitchen or?
No, this is the freight elevator
Do you have lots of people coming through like that?
Well, there's one
Do you have a lot of celebrities coming through?
Well, no holiday
Conventions and things in the back just coming up this way
What do you think about Elvis Presley coming through here?
Oh, it's wonderful
Do you know anything about him?
Yeah, do I know anything about him?
Yeah
I was raised in his home town
Are you gonna be saying something to him or be talking to him?
Well, that's just gonna depend
Are you looking forward to seeing him?
Sure
Why don't you show us where he's coming in?
He's coming through this door here
There's two doors in this entrance
He's coming through this door here
And this is and it
Opens back like this and we have this one
The other door goes back like this
You gotta have the blood of Jesus Christ
The love from
For man he died on that cross
So that we might have a right to the tree of life
I come to tell you this, my beloved
The song How About by Melvins has an interesting structure where it starts off with a spoken word section describing the singer's past life of sin and corruption, specifically mentioning alcoholism and drug abuse. He then talks about how he found salvation in Jesus and how it changed his life. The spoken word section fades out to a soundscape of elevator noise as an interview takes place with a hotel worker expected to see Elvis Presley. This interview section operates as a break from the intensity of the spoken word, giving an air of normalcy before the next section of the song, which repeats the message of finding salvation in Jesus.
The song is a mix of styles, with the spoken word section being reminiscent of poetry slams and the noise rock style of Melvins coming through at the end. The lyrics themselves are deeply personal to the singer, and the juxtaposition of his story with the interview of the hotel worker creates an interesting contrast between the personal and mundane.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember how I used to walk up and down the streets
Recalling my past life in New Orleans, where I was bound by drugs and alcohol, committing sin and living beneath my privilege.
Of the city of New Orleans, bound by drugs, bound by alcohol
Describing the city of New Orleans, where I struggled with addiction and couldn't escape the cycle of drugs and alcohol.
Committing the different acts of sin, living beneath my privilege
Acknowledging my sinful lifestyle, where I lived below my potential and did things that went against God's law.
Doing things that were contrary to God as well as the law
Admitting that my actions were not only illegal, but also went against God's teachings.
But after all the things that I did
Reflecting on all the sinful and illegal actions I committed in the past.
And after all the sins that I committed
Acknowledging all the sins I committed in my past life.
One day I heard about Jesus
Sharing my testimony of how I came to learn about Jesus and the impact He had on my life.
I'm just like the woman that heard about Jesus
Drawing a comparison to the woman from Jericho who sought out Jesus to help her with her problems.
Coming through the city of Jericho, and she had a problem
Referencing the woman from the Bible who encountered Jesus in the city of Jericho and sought His help for her problems.
But I had a problem with lying too and lying was sin
Confessing one of my sins, which was lying.
I was living in sin, living and doing things I wanted to do
Acknowledging that I was living a lifestyle of sin and making selfish choices.
Living and seeing what I wanted to see
Continuing to describe my former lifestyle, where I only sought out what I wanted to see.
But one day Jesus touched my life
Sharing the moment when I encountered Jesus and He had a profound impact on my life.
And when Jesus came in, the liquor went out, the drugs went out
Explaining how Jesus helped me turn away from my addiction and sinful behavior.
My old lady, the lord bleeds
Expressing my gratitude to God for forgiving my sins and saving me from my past lifestyle.
I thank God my sins and judge every
Thanking God for His mercy and forgiveness and recognizing that only He has the power to judge me.
And I have a right to the tree
Celebrating that I have been given a right to eternal life through my faith in Jesus.
Doesn't mean jack to me and everyone that knows Jesus and everyone that's been born again
Clarifying that the blessings of eternal life may not be understood by those who do not share my faith.
And everyone that's been washed in the blood
Referring to the cleansing power of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for those who believe in him.
You heard the brother singing about the blood
Referencing someone else who has also shared his testimony about the power of Jesus' blood.
It's stuff about the blood
Emphasizing the importance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and how it can save and redeem us.
Oh praise God
Offering a word of praise and gratitude to God.
I thank God for that opportunity and I just want to let you know
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his testimony and faith with others.
That he loves us and the Bible backs it up
Affirming that God loves us and that this truth is supported by the Bible.
"That God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son
Quoting a well-known Bible verse that affirms God's love for humanity.
That whoever should believe in him shall not perish but have an everlasting life."
Sharing the full quote from the aforementioned Bible verse.
What's the plan when he comes through this door?
Asking about the plan for when someone enters through a specific door.
What happens? Speak up, Butch, please
Requesting clarification from Butch about what happens when someone enters through the door.
Well, he goes on and goes up to the elevator, gets drunk
Butch misinterprets the question and replies in a way that is unrelated to the original question.
But, I mean, what does he do?
Reiterating the original question about what happens when someone enters through the door.
He comes through this door, goin' around and takes the elevator
Butch provides a more detailed explanation of the entry process for the specific door.
What is this, the kitchen or?
Asking Butch if the room they are in is the kitchen.
No, this is the freight elevator
Butch clarifies that the room they are in is actually the freight elevator.
Do you have lots of people coming through like that?
Asking Butch if many people use the freight elevator like the example given.
Well, there's one
Butch states that only one person will be using the freight elevator in this scenario.
Do you have a lot of celebrities coming through?
Asking Butch if many famous people come through the freight elevator.
Well, no holiday conventions and things in the back just coming up this way
Butch indicates that while not many celebrities use the freight elevator, there are other groups that utilize it.
What do you think about Elvis Presley coming through here?
Asking Butch what he thinks about the possibility of Elvis Presley using the freight elevator.
Oh, it's wonderful
Butch expresses excitement and positiveness regarding the idea of Elvis Presley using the freight elevator.
Do you know anything about him?
Asking Butch if he has any personal knowledge or information about Elvis Presley.
Yeah, do I know anything about him?
Butch misunderstands the question and replies with confusion.
Are you gonna be saying something to him or be talking to him?
Asking Butch if he plans to interact with Elvis Presley if he does use the freight elevator.
Well, that's just gonna depend
Butch indicates that whether he interacts with Elvis Presley or not will depend on the circumstance.
Are you looking forward to seeing him?
Asking Butch if he is excited about the prospect of seeing Elvis Presley.
Sure
Butch confirms that he is indeed looking forward to seeing Elvis Presley.
Why don't you show us where he's coming in?
Requesting that Butch point out the entrance where Elvis Presley would enter.
He's coming through this door here
Butch identifies the specific entrance Elvis Presley would use.
There's two doors in this entrance
Butch notes that there are two doors at the entrance he pointed out.
He's coming through this door here
Reiterating that Elvis Presley will be coming through the door Butch identified earlier.
And this is and it
Butch misspeaks and it's unclear what he is trying to say.
Opens back like this and we have this one
Butch describes how one of the doors opens.
The other door goes back like this
Butch describes how the other door opens.
You gotta have the blood of Jesus Christ
Emphasizing the importance of having faith in Jesus Christ in order to receive salvation.
The love from
The rest of this line is unclear and its meaning is unknown.
For man he died on that cross
Referencing Jesus' death on the cross and the significance of that sacrifice for mankind.
So that we might have a right to the tree of life
Highlighting the belief that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross grants believers eternal life.
I come to tell you this, my beloved
Ending the song with a message to the listener, emphasizing the importance of having faith in Jesus Christ.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DALE CROVER, MARK DEUTROM, ROGER OSBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fiveoclockpunk
In all honesty I consider this to be the best Melvins song.
Charlyfromthenuclearcity
How lucky you are ! I never knew how to get into this album :)
peter framtid
What a crazy song