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.
Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings
Melvins Lyrics
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To see if you were at home.
Your shade was down, there wasn't even a sound
But something told me you weren't alone.
What in the world can a nasty dog do
But try to get next to you?
Don't laugh 'cause it ain't funny.
Look how it happened to me.
And it'd leave you in misery.
I guess there's nothin' more funky king can do
But to try to get next to you.
The lyrics to Melvins's song, "Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings," seem to tell a story of a man who is trying to pursue a woman, only to find out that she is not alone. Despite the fact that her shade was down and there wasn't a sound, the man has an intuition that there is someone else there. The lyrics then go on to explore the concept of a "nasty dog," which could refer to someone who is untrustworthy or someone who is trying to get something they shouldn't have. The man warns the listener not to laugh, as this situation could happen to anyone, leaving them in misery.
The overarching theme of the song seems to be cautionary - that things are not always as they seem, and that one should be careful not to get involved with the wrong people. The "funky king" mentioned in the song could be a reference to someone who is trying to be cool or impressive in order to win someone over, but ultimately may not have their best interests at heart.
Overall, the lyrics to "Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings" explore the complexities of relationships and the dangers of opening oneself up too much. It presents a warning to the listener to be cautious and to think twice before letting someone in too close.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I knocked down on your door, baby,
I paid a visit to your residence by knocking, dear
To see if you were at home.
I wanted to know if you were present inside.
Your shade was down, there wasn't even a sound
I noticed that your window blinds were closed and there was no noise.
But something told me you weren't alone.
My intuition suggested that you weren't by yourself.
What in the world can a nasty dog do
What is it that a crude animal is able to accomplish?
But try to get next to you?
Rather than anything else, the dog would attempt to get near you, correct?
Don't laugh 'cause it ain't funny.
Do not ridicule because this is a serious matter.
Look how it happened to me.
Observe how it happened to me.
It could happen to you, you could be a fool too
It could happen to you as well, you may fall prey to it.
And it'd leave you in misery.
And it would cause you agony.
I guess there's nothin' more funky king can do
Presumably, there is nothing else that the 'funky king' can attempt
But to try to get next to you.
Except for attempting to get close to you, of course.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BILLY GIBBONS, DUSTY HILL, FRANK BEARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind