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.
Rocket Reducer #62
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can sock 'em out for you
Till you're flat on your back
You know I got to keep it up
'Cause I'm a natural man
I'm a born hell raiser
And I don't give a damn
I'm the man for you, baby
I'm the man for you, baby
I'm the man for you, baby
I'm the man for you
Workin' here before your momma
Soakin' wet, you think you're satisfied
You ain't seen nothing yet
I said, "Wham bam, thank you, man"
I'm a born ass pincher
And I don't give a damn
You can lay it down on me, momma
Any old time we can shimmy so good
We'll both be stoned O-mind
I'm irresistably bad, the coolest what am
Robin Tyner's the name and I kick out the jams
The lyrics of Melvins's song Rocket Reducer #62 speak about the singer's prowess as a man and his ability to satisfy his partner. The opening lines of the song portray the singer's relaxed attitude as he enjoys a good marijuana high and a six-pack of beer. He boasts confidently that he can "sock 'em out" for his partner until she is "flat on her back". He proclaims himself a "natural man" and a "born hell raiser" who is not afraid to be himself and live life to the fullest. He asserts that he is "the man for you baby," encapsulating his confidence in his sexual prowess.
Throughout the rest of the song, the lyrics get progressively more provocative, as the singer brags about his experience ("workin' here before your momma"), his skill in bed ("we can shimmy so good"), and his general disregard for societal norms ("I'm a born ass pincher/And I don't give a damn"). The chorus repeats the assertion that he is "the man for you, baby," solidifying his confidence and belief in himself.
The song is a straightforward rock anthem that celebrates the singer's masculinity and sexual prowess. The music drives the lyrics, featuring hard-hitting guitar riffs and pounding drums that evoke a sense of rebellion and defiance. The overall effect is one of energy and intensity, encapsulating the spirit of rock and roll in its purest form.
Line by Line Meaning
After some good tokes and a six pack
After smoking some marijuana and drinking six beers
We can sock 'em out for you
We can fight for you
Till you're flat on your back
Until you're knocked unconscious
You know I got to keep it up
I have to maintain my tough reputation
'Cause I'm a natural man
Because I am inherently a tough person
I'm a born hell raiser
I was born to be rebellious and cause trouble
And I don't give a damn
And I don't care
I'm the man for you, baby
I am the ideal man for you
Workin' here before your momma
I have been working here longer than your mother has been alive
Soakin' wet, you think you're satisfied
Even though you are inexperienced, you think you are content
You ain't seen nothing yet
You haven't experienced anything yet
I said, "Wham bam, thank you, man"
I said, "I will do what I want and leave quickly"
I'm a born ass pincher
I was born to grope women
You can lay it down on me, momma
You can have sex with me anytime
Any old time we can shimmy so good
We can dance sensually together anytime
We'll both be stoned O-mind
We will both be high and not thinking clearly
I'm irresistably bad, the coolest what am
I am undeniably bad but also cool
Robin Tyner's the name and I kick out the jams
My name is Robin Tyner and I play loud, energetic music
Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ronemory7149
Melvins covers are the best... Wipers, Germs, Venom, etc.
@TheSamgopal
The best cover of an MC5 song to date.
@SolamenteVees
This guy ain't too bad either... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VG6ETTwgDQ
@centre4122
@@SolamenteVees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNO-pVJdGWs&ab_channel=ravenschwartz
@JoseGomez-ys3zs
Superb cover!
@codeblue8922
Rama Lama FA FA FA
@arkadehorror
@xDIStructorx The part played at 0:00 to 0:30 is in the original as well. And is still part of the "music".
@stephennharle4946
Yes I am for ya baby!
@sonicjet7074
im thinking sonic reducer :) or rocket reducer
@icandleall
Had the yellow tape when it dropped but never heard or even knew of this until now.