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.
Theme
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Clown Alley)
He watches the sun rise almost every day.
The Melvins' song "Theme" is actually a cover of the band Clown Alley's song by the same name. The lyrics of the song are quite simple and evoke a sense of peacefulness and serenity. The first line of the lyrics - "He watches the sun rise almost every day" - suggests a sense of routine and dedication; perhaps the character in the song is a farmer, or someone who is committed to starting their day with the beauty of nature.
The rest of the lyrics are comprised of a repetitive refrain: "I hope, I hope, I hope it stays this way". The line is given greater impact with the repetition, and suggests a sense of uncertainty or anxiety about the future. The repetition of the line could also be interpreted as a mantra or affirmation, meant to encourage the character (and by extension, the listener) to maintain a sense of hope and optimism.
Overall, the song's lyrics are quite simple, but they are delivered with a certain emotional weight that makes them impactful. While some may see the repetition of "I hope it stays this way" as a pessimistic outlook, it could also be seen as a reminder to focus on the present moment and appreciate the beauty of the world around us, without worrying too much about what the future may hold.
Line by Line Meaning
He watches the sun rise almost every day.
He is a keen observer of life and nature, and never misses the beautiful sight of sunrise almost every day.
Contributed by James I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DiggyDodo
We got more funky music ig...
@turkiye2056
Yehhhhh lol
@herald_of_tater
Week 8 fnf boss
@herald_of_tater
Conformed
@herald_of_tater
We've only goten robots as the piggy bots in piggy the lost book
@RXCV38
It kinda sounds like felix
@Just_SpincerYT
Best theme from Lost book tbh, man the nostalgia...
@Pony_PlayZ12
Why is this theme so relaxing?
@thangtotallynotgaming5298
I know it feels like a Friday night funky music
@tankmanytabonemisilme5449
YOU KILL FOXY