The Melvins are a sludge metal band that formed in Montesano, Washington, U… Read Full Bio ↴The Melvins are a sludge metal band that formed in Montesano, Washington, United States in 1983. The band currently consists of Buzz Osborne (vocals, guitar), Steven Shane McDonald (bass), and Dale Crover (drums). Osborne is the only remaining original member, although Crover has been a member since early in the band's career.

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.

See How Pretty See How Smart
Melvins Lyrics

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"See How Pretty, See How Smart"
Music and lyrics: King Buzzo

LeadingGodHired
SmilingSkyUnder
UnderBlackLeading
LeadingGodHalfway
HalfwayGodUnder

UnderSea Soldier
SoldierLieLosing
LosingLawHiding

HidingMeFinding
FindingStrong Cleaning

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Melvins' song "See How Pretty, See How Smart" are poetic and cryptic, leaving room for interpretation. The song appears to be a commentary on the human condition and the search for meaning in life. The lyrics appear to illustrate the struggles of a person who is searching for guidance and purpose, but is faced with uncertainty and confusion. The lines "LeadingGodHired" and "HalfwayGodUnder" suggest a person who is looking to a higher power for guidance, but is only able to find solace halfway. The subsequent lines "UnderBlackLeading" and "UnderSea Soldier" suggest that this person is lost and wandering, caught in an endless cycle of searching without finding the answers they seek.

The lyrics then turn to themes of deceit and hiding, with lines such as "LosingLawHiding" and "HidingMeFinding." These lyrics suggest that the person is struggling to find truth and honesty in the world around them, and is grappling with the reality that sometimes, even when we think we have found the answers, we are still lost. The final line "FindingStrong Cleaning" suggests that, despite the challenges and difficulties that this person is facing, they are still searching for strength and a sense of purpose.

Line by Line Meaning

LeadingGodHired
A higher power has chosen and assigned a leader for some purpose.

SmilingSkyUnder
The sky is above and the observer is below, gazing at it with a positive attitude.

UnderBlackLeading
Being under the control of a person who leads in a dark, possibly sinister way.

LeadingGodHalfway
The higher power who chose the leader is only guiding them part of the way.

HalfwayGodUnder
The leader is now guiding themselves and the observer is under their influence once again.

UnderSea Soldier
A soldier who is beneath the surface of the water, performing their duties.

SoldierLieLosing
The soldier is laying down or dying, losing their fight.

LosingLawHiding
The laws and regulations are losing their power and people are hiding from them.

HidingMeFinding
Someone or something is searching for the observer, who is trying to remain hidden.

FindingStrong Cleaning
Through the search, a strong method of cleansing or purification has been discovered.

Contributed by Caleb G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.