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.
Roman Bird Dog
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
two shots dispell my fear
baby you need to sniff lysol
and i to be.
She walks like animal
i can walk and be so free
she walks in like animal
but i can walk like man
i can be one, my one would a little world.
Hyponeedle gets so sore
i go to weaponry
it should get you there
i'm made to see.
She walks like animal
i can walk and be so free
she walks in like animal
but i can walk like man
she looks at the well-worn world
i can be one, our one would a little world.
I could've felt no woman like you
under the well-worn dipshit mind
i could've felt no woman like you
under the well-worn dipshit mind now.
The lyrics of Melvins's song Roman Bird Dog are cryptic, but they suggest drug use, power dynamics, and the yearning for a world of one's own. The repeated line "Lysol to get me high" alludes to the dangerous and potentially deadly practice of inhaling household cleaning products to achieve a high. The singer describes feeling fear, but finds comfort in taking two shots. He advises his partner to also use Lysol and join him in this destructive behavior.
The singer admires his partner's animalistic behavior, but asserts his own humanity by claiming he can walk like a man. He desires a relationship where he can provide a well-worn bed, but also acknowledges his own capacity to create his own little world. The reference to the "hyponeedle" suggests drug addiction and the need for more intense experiences. The repeated phrase "she looks at the well-worn world" suggests a sense of dissatisfaction with the state of things, but the desire to create something new and unique.
Line by Line Meaning
Lysol to get me high
I am using Lysol as a means of getting high
two shots dispell my fear
Taking two shots helps to dispel my fear
baby you need to sniff lysol and i to be.
You also need to sniff Lysol in order to be with me
She walks like animal
She walks in a way that resembles an animal
i can walk and be so free
I am able to walk and be free in my movements
she walks in like animal
She enters the room in a way that resembles an animal
but i can walk like man
However, I am able to walk in a way that is distinctly human
she wants a well-worn bed.
She desires a bed that has been well-used
i can be one, my one would a little world.
I am capable of providing her with a well-worn bed and creating our own little world
Hyponeedle gets so sore
Using a hypodermic needle causes discomfort and pain
i go to weaponry
I turn to weapons to cope with this pain
it should get you there
Using weapons should help to alleviate the pain
i'm made to see.
I am able to gain clarity and perspective
she looks at the well-worn world
She observes the world around her that has been used and worn out
i can be one, our one would a little world.
I can provide her with a well-worn world and create a new one for us
I could've felt no woman like you
I have never felt a connection with any woman like I do with you
under the well-worn dipshit mind
Despite my foolish and worn-out state of mind
i could've felt no woman like you
I still would have never felt a connection with any woman like I do with you
under the well-worn dipshit mind now.
Even though my mind is still in a foolish and worn-out state
Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brianmilesky665
I’m a huge Melvins fan/listener and this 30 minutes or so Lysol record is peak for me. Especially these first 2 tracks.
@Shovelglove545
Where can I find it in full online?
@someguyontheinternet2714
yeah this is my fav Melvins record as well, though they have a lot of great ones of course.
@hornyconvict
really wish it was on spotify
@lecrapauddejerri9
always have to listen them both together
@JohnathanLaFey
for real👊
@angrypunk666
+1
@shrimpfist
duh its really one song
@koollegged5739
7:50...Drums kick in right as you pass my neighbourhood.
@fekdaleo
is your house in this video