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.
Skeeter
Melvins Lyrics
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and we were staying at this guy Tawson's house. Good friend of ours. It's kinda in the middle of the city.
We were just finished with out second European Tour.
And everything was going pretty good.
Skeeter, he met this girl that lived next door to Tawson's, and within a couple weeks he started to live with her and all. I guess she had a lot of money or something, because she was always buying him clothes, and getting him lots of stuff, and loaning him money.
He was always going to the coffee shop, and getting the best herb and the best hash, ya' know. He was in good shape. She was good looking and she was pretty cool. I don't think we'd ever met her before. She had other boyfriends I suppose.
So I am sitting on the couch at Tawson's apartment, reading Maximum Rock-n-Roll, Flipside, or one of those punk things. And I heard Skeeter come in. He came in and he had all these really nice clothes on, she bought him all this stuff, she like bought him cologne ya' know.. he was really, really smelling good ya'
The lyrics to the Melvins' song "Skeeter" describe the post-tour experiences of the band member Skeeter. The band had just finished their second European tour and were staying at their friend Tawson's house in Amsterdam. Skeeter had met a girl who lived next door, and within a few weeks, he moved in with her. The girl was wealthy and would buy Skeeter clothes, give him money, and even provide him with the best herbs and hash from the coffee shop. Skeeter seemed to be in good shape, and the girl was pretty cool and good-looking.
One day, the singer Dave was sitting on Tawson's couch reading a punk magazine when Skeeter walked in with his newly bought clothes and smelling good from the cologne his girlfriend had bought him. Skeeter put his herbs on the table and asked Dave if his penis looked like puss. Skeeter had his penis lifted, and he was looking at the head of his penis, which he was pointing towards Dave. The lyrics leave the interpretation open to the listener's discretion whether this was a rude or humorous moment.
Overall, "Skeeter" is a snapshot of a moment in time during the Melvins' experience in Amsterdam. It is a humorous, straightforward story of Skeeter's post-tour shenanigans and is a fun track to listen to for those who enjoy the Melvins' humor and storytelling.
Line by Line Meaning
So, we were in Amsterdam
The singer and Skeeter were in Amsterdam, staying at their friend Tawson's house after finishing a European tour.
and we were staying at this guy Tawson's house. Good friend of ours. It's kinda in the middle of the city.
Tawson's house was located in the middle of Amsterdam, and was a good friend of the singer and Skeeter.
We were just finished with out second European Tour.
The singer and Skeeter had recently completed their second European tour.
And everything was going pretty good.
Things were going well for the artist and Skeeter at the time.
Skeeter, he met this girl that lived next door to Tawson's, and within a couple weeks he started to live with her and all.
Skeeter met a girl who lived next door to Tawson's, and within a few weeks they started living together.
I guess she had a lot of money or something, because she was always buying him clothes, and getting him lots of stuff, and loaning him money.
The girl was wealthy and would constantly buy Skeeter clothes, give him gifts, and loan him money.
He was always going to the coffee shop, and getting the best herb and the best hash, ya' know. He was in good shape.
Skeeter would frequently go to coffee shops and purchase high-quality marijuana and hash, which made him feel good.
She was good looking and she was pretty cool. I don't think we'd ever met her before. She had other boyfriends I suppose.
The girl was attractive and seemed pleasant, but the artist and Skeeter had never met her prior to this encounter. She had other boyfriends, however.
So I am sitting on the couch at Tawson's apartment, reading Maximum Rock-n-Roll, Flipside, or one of those punk things.
The artist was sitting on the couch in Tawson's apartment, reading a punk rock magazine.
And I heard Skeeter come in. He came in and he had all these really nice clothes on, she bought him all this stuff, she like bought him cologne ya' know.. he was really, really smelling good ya'
know. He looked good too.
Skeeter entered the apartment wearing new, expensive clothing and smelling of cologne. The artist noticed how good Skeeter looked.
He comes in and puts his herb on the table, whatever..I'm just reading my little punk magazine. Not really paying attention,
Skeeter places his marijuana on the table and the singer continues to read his magazine, not paying much attention.
and then he says uh.. he says, "Hey Dave."
Skeeter calls out to the artist, addressing him by name.
And I look up, and he's standing there with his dick in his hand.
When the singer looks up, he sees Skeeter standing with his penis in his hand.
And he's kinda got it lifted up so he's looking at the head of his dick. Kinda pointed it at me, I didn't know what to think.
Skeeter held his penis pointed towards the singer, examining the head, and the singer was confused by this.
And he says, "Does that look like puss to you?"
Skeeter asks the singer if the head of his penis resembles pus.
And I said, "No, I think it's lint."
The artist responded to Skeeter, telling him that what he believed to be pus was actually lint.
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