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.
Mombius Hibachi
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holding yang
What's the difference?
A light for all time
The buried secret
Sings together
What's the hurry
You're not Harry
To lose your mind
Keep it open
The lyrics of Melvins's song Mombius Hibachi are abstract and open to interpretation. The shining Chinese could refer to the powerful economy of China and its increasing influence on the world. Holding yang could be a reference to the yin and yang philosophy and balance in life. The line "what's the difference?" could suggest the idea that despite these opposing forces, they are ultimately intertwined and necessary for each other's existence. The phrase "a light for all time" could be interpreted as a powerful, long-lasting source of inspiration or enlightenment.
The buried secret singing together could refer to individuals coming together to share a powerful truth or shared experience. The line "what's the hurry, you're not Harry" is a play on words, possibly referencing Harry Potter and the importance of taking one's time and not rushing into things. The final line "keep it open" could suggest the idea of maintaining an open mind and being receptive to new ideas and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
The shining Chinese
The bright and prominent Chinese culture and influence
Holding yang
Embracing the concept of balance and duality, the yang representing the positive and active forces
What's the difference?
Asking the question about disparities and if they truly matter
A light for all time
A beacon of hope and inspiration that can be looked up to and relied on forever
The buried secret
A hidden truth or knowledge that is not easily revealed
Sings together
Various elements coming together in harmony to create a beautiful and unified sound
What's the hurry
Questioning the rush and need for haste
You're not Harry
A play on words for 'hairy', suggesting that there is no need to be worried or stressed
To lose your mind
To become overwhelmed or irrational, potentially due to stress or anxiety
Keep it open
Advice to remain receptive and accepting of new ideas and experiences
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariomeloni8466
One of the most typical melvins style song