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.
Influence Of Atmosphere
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're the adult to rein
And seein' you
Take it away
I look into your glass eye
Take it
By surprise
The lyrics of Melvins' song "Influence of Atmosphere" are quite enigmatic and open to interpretation. One possible interpretation is that the song is about the power dynamics between two people, where one is in a position of authority and controls the environment, while the other is subordinate and feels trapped or intimidated. The line "That point/ You're the adult to rein" suggests that the first person has some kind of superiority or control over the situation, and the second person is looking up to them for guidance or approval. However, the line "And seein' you/ Take it away" hints at a sense of unease or uncertainty, as if the second person is not sure if they trust the first person's judgment or intentions.
The next two lines add to the unsettling atmosphere of the song, as the second person looks into the first person's "glass eye" and feels caught off guard. This image could be interpreted as a metaphor for the first person having a cold, unfeeling demeanor, or even as a literal description of a prosthetic eye that adds to their otherworldly persona. Overall, the lyrics of "Influence of Atmosphere" evoke a sense of tension and unease, as if the singer is struggling to navigate a complex and unpredictable social situation.
Line by Line Meaning
That point
At this particular moment
You're the adult to rein
You are the one responsible for controlling the situation
And seein' you
Observing you
Take it away
Removing the negative atmosphere or energy
I look into your glass eye
I am looking into your eyes, trying to understand your perspective
Take it
Remove the negative energy or situation
By surprise
Unexpectedly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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