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.
The Ballad of Dwight Frye
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could have been gone for more
Held up in the intensive care ward
Lyin on the floor
I was gone for all those days
But I was not all alone
I made friends with a lot of people
In the Danger Zone
See my lonely life unfold i see it every day
See my only mind explode when I'm gone away
I think I lost some weight there
And I really need some rest
Sleeping don't come very easy
In a straight white vest
Shaw'd like to see those little children
She's only four years old
I'd give her back all of her playthings
Even those I stole
See my lonely life unfold i see it every day
See my only mind explode
When I've gone insane
I grabbed my hat and I got my coat
And I ran into the street
I saw a man that was choking there
I guess he couldn't breathe
Said to myself this is very strange
I'm glad it wasn't me
But now I hear those sirens callin'
And so I am not free
See my lonely life unfold i see it every day
See my only mind explode
When I've gone insane
"The Ballad of Dwight Frye" by Melvins is a haunting and introspective song that delves into the mind of a disturbed individual named Dwight Frye. The lyrics depict Dwight's experiences during a period of isolation and confinement in an intensive care ward. The opening lines suggest that Dwight was absent from the world for a substantial amount of time, possibly due to a mental breakdown or illness, and emphasizes his loneliness and vulnerability. However, despite his isolation, Dwight finds solace in the company of other troubled individuals in the "Danger Zone," suggesting a sense of camaraderie or understanding amongst those who have experienced similar hardships.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that Dwight's mental state is deteriorating. He speaks of his difficulty in finding rest and mentions a woman named Shaw, who is four years old. It is unclear whether Shaw is a figment of his imagination or someone important in his life, but he expresses a desire to return her stolen playthings, implying guilt and remorse. The repetition of the line "See my lonely life unfold, I see it every day" emphasizes Dwight's constant anguish and his fear of losing touch with reality.
In the final section, Dwight abruptly leaves his confinement and encounters a man who is choking. Although relieved that it is not him in distress, he acknowledges the strangeness of the situation. However, the sound of sirens signifies that he is not truly free from his own inner turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
I was gone for fourteen days
I was absent from my usual life and routine for a period of two weeks
Could have been gone for more
It's possible that my absence could have extended beyond the fourteen days
Held up in the intensive care ward
I was confined and receiving medical attention in a specialized hospital unit
Lyin on the floor
I was laying down on the ground, possibly due to weakness or exhaustion
I was gone for all those days
During the entire duration of my absence, I was not present in my usual surroundings
But I was not all alone
Although physically separated from my usual company, I had companionship and interaction with other individuals
I made friends with a lot of people
I established connections and formed friendships with numerous individuals
In the Danger Zone
These connections and friendships were established within an environment of potential risk or danger
See my lonely life unfold i see it every day
I continuously witness the progression of my isolated and solitary existence on a daily basis
See my only mind explode when I'm gone away
My emotional state deteriorates and becomes overwhelmed when I am physically separated from my usual environment
I think I lost some weight there
It appears that I experienced a decrease in body mass during that period
And I really need some rest
I am in dire need of relaxation and recuperation
Sleeping don't come very easy
My ability to fall asleep is hindered or difficult
In a straight white vest
While wearing a clean and plain white sleeveless garment
Shaw'd like to see those little children
I desire to witness the presence of those young offspring
She's only four years old
The specific child I refer to is at the young age of four
I'd give her back all of her playthings
I would gladly return all the items of entertainment that rightfully belong to her
Even those I stole
Including those possessions that I unlawfully acquired or took without permission
I grabbed my hat and I got my coat
Suddenly, I swiftly secured my headwear and outerwear
And I ran into the street
Without hesitation, I dashed out onto the public road
I saw a man that was choking there
I witnessed an individual in distress, experiencing difficulty in breathing
I guess he couldn't breathe
It is my assumption that the person was unable to inhale air properly
Said to myself this is very strange
Internally, I remarked that the situation was peculiar and unusual
I'm glad it wasn't me
I expressed relief that I was not the one facing such a predicament
But now I hear those sirens callin'
However, at this moment, I perceive the sound of emergency vehicle sirens beckoning
And so I am not free
Consequently, I find myself restricted or confined, lacking personal freedom
When I've gone insane
During moments of my mental instability or loss of sanity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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