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.
Little Judas Chongo
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When ever I allowed re-arrange
Ima load of teet to eat
It's automatic
Right now when your ready
The horse is sound in same
I caughta dead mans hand you see
Its all the money
Watch my see in
A terror in my way
I've gotta goddamn world due
It so eradict
Where is all my we
And where is this thou hate
It's a load up nail me
To reveal me send my soul
To the right left right
The lyrics to Melvins' song Little Judas Chongo are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. The song seems to be about a person who has made a deal with the devil or is struggling with inner demons. The first line, "A heman come like sinner" could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone who has lost their way and is behaving in a sinful or destructive manner. The following line, "Whenever I allowed re-arrange" could suggest that this person has intentionally disrupted their own life.
The next line "Ima load of teet to eat" and "It's automatic" may refer to a dependence on drugs or some other vice that the singer feels they can't control. The line "The horse is sound in same" could be saying that despite everything, life is still moving forward, but there is a sense of foreboding in the following statement "I caughta dead mans hand you see, it's all the money." This line could suggest that the singer feels trapped in their situation and that their actions have led them to a dead end.
The last few lines suggest a struggle with faith and morality. "See my soul to the right left right, watch my see in a terror in my way" could refer to a battle within the person's own mind, trying to make sense of right and wrong, good and evil. The final line "To reveal me send my soul to the right left right" could suggest a plea for direction or guidance from a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
A heman come like sinner
A strong and powerful figure appears, yet is plagued with guilt and wrongdoing like a sinner
When ever I allowed re-arrange
Every time I try to fix things, they only end up getting worse
Ima load of teet to eat
I have an abundance of resources, more than I can handle
It's automatic
Things are happening without my control or intention, as if predetermined
Right now when your ready
When you're prepared and willing to face the truth, it's available
The horse is sound in same
Everything seems okay on the surface, but something is not quite right
I caughta dead mans hand you see
I'm holding onto something that should be left alone or forgotten
Its all the money
My motivation and focus revolve around wealth and material possessions
See my soul to the right left right
My spiritual and moral compass is spinning, lost and directionless
Watch my see in
Messing with my mind and perception, causing confusion and chaos
A terror in my way
Faced with an overwhelming sense of fear and danger
I've gotta goddamn world due
I have a responsibility and obligation to the world that I cannot escape
It so eradict
Everything is unpredictable and unstable, causing chaos and confusion
Where is all my we
Where have my allies and companions gone, leaving me alone
And where is this thou hate
What has caused this animosity and bitterness towards me?
It's a load up nail me
Hindered and weighed down by my burdens and responsibilities
To reveal me send my soul
Only by exposing myself and being vulnerable, can I truly understand and grow
To the right left right
Finding balance and direction by overcoming obstacles and challenges
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
db155678
such a badass song
OmegaRedFan
great job!
Matt J
What’s the effects on the guitar?
cthulhugamete
sweet, nice catch
makeithurtful
LOL oh man thats rich! I wouldve never seen that.
Mister E
It's automatic.