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.
Porg
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see you
Try to walk away, yeah
But I'll come to you
Ain't no use in tryin' to hide, now
'Cause I am the beast
That feeds on your mind
These lyrics are from the song "Porg" by the American rock band Melvins from their 1992 album "Lysol". The song is a heavy and intense, displaying a sense of aggression and dominance.
The lyrics suggest the idea of a stalking predator who refuses to let go of their prey. It speaks of the idea of an uncontrollable force that is always present and that the prey cannot hide from. The "beast" apparently feeds from the prey's own mind, emphasizing the idea of a psychological and emotional battle.
The intense nature of the lyrics is reflected in the music of the song. The guitar riffs are heavy and unyielding, while the drums create a powerful and almost trance-like rhythm. The overall feel of the song matches perfectly with the lyrics, creating a sense of unease and tension.
Line by Line Meaning
Motherf**ker
An expletive expressing anger or frustration towards someone
I know what you are
I am aware of your true nature or intentions
I'm a porg
I am small and helpless, like the Star Wars creature 'porg'
Sittin' in a tree
I am perched atop a tree, likely observing the world below
Feathered imbecile
I am a foolish creature, defined by my feathers and lack of intelligence
Singin' my song
I see myself as a musical artist, using my voice to express myself
Porg
A repetition of my earlier statement, driving home my own perceived identity
Contributed by Claire M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.