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.
Roadbull
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You square!
Is it all on your demand?
Seems as to
Where I see, yeah!
I'm for the Gingeree
Miss it all
Miss it all
Get loud! Make war! Make freedom!
Key!
Get loud! Make war! Make freedom!
Key!
Get loud! Make war! Make Freedom !
Key!
In the path of Gingeree
I'll warm and hold the key
Been warned in time
I let the war man die.
The lyrics to Melvins's song "Roadbull" convey a sense of rebellion and the pursuit of freedom. The repetition of the commands to "Get loud! Make war! Make freedom!" creates a sense of urgency and action. The word "bull" could be interpreted as a symbol of authority that the singer is pushing back against. The line "Is it all on your demand?" suggests a questioning of authority and a desire for autonomy.
The reference to "Gingeree" is ambiguous and could be interpreted in different ways. One possibility is that it is a reference to a fictional place or a code word for a specific location. Alternatively, it could be a metaphor for a state of mind or a feeling of freedom. The line "I let the war man die" suggests that the singer has made a decision to not participate in a conflict or to let it go. This could be seen as an act of resistance or a refusal to conform to expectations.
Overall, the lyrics to "Roadbull" convey a sense of rebellion and a desire for personal freedom. The repetition of the commands to be loud and make war create a tone of urgency and action. The use of the word "bull" and the reference to "Gingeree" add layers of meaning that allow for different interpretations.
Line by Line Meaning
Bull!
Expressing anger or frustration
You square!
Addressing someone as uncool or boring
Is it all on your demand?
Questioning whether someone is in control of everything
Seems as to
Indicating that something appears to be
Where I see, yeah!
Expressing agreement with what is being observed
I'm for the Gingeree
Expressing support for a certain location or idea
Miss it all
Expressing regret over something lost
Get loud! Make war! Make freedom!
Encouraging action to be taken
Key!
Expressing a desire to be in control or to have power
In the path of Gingeree
Indicating a location of interest or importance
I'll warm and hold the key
Expressing confidence in one's ability to control a situation or outcome
Been warned in time
Acknowledging that one has been given a warning or cautioned about something
I let the war man die
Accepting responsibility for the death of someone involved in a conflict
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DALE CROVER, MARK DEUTROM, ROGER OSBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind