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.
Tipping The Lion
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got Dresden solid dead
I ain't gonna stand leaking from my hand
Don't like the front of me on a mand
Be still the messagly
Distending a modern tale
By phone line
Might have seen
The violence stirke and spare
Seems fortified down square
What is the quality reaching low fo side
My tears intendedly bonified
You still motor high
Reach sending a modern tease
Right phone line
High voice tone
Forty lee and four a why
The lyrics of Melvins' song Tipping The Lion are quite abstract and open to interpretation. One possible interpretation could be that the song is commenting on the destructive nature of war and violence. The opening lines "Follow lead point to my head/We got Dresden solid dead" refer to the bombing of Dresden in World War II, which was a particularly devastating and deadly attack. The lines "I ain't gonna stand leaking from my hand/Don't like the front of me on a mand" suggest a resistance to violence and bloodshed, and a desire to avoid being directly involved.
The lines "Be still the messagly/Distending a modern tale" could be an allusion to modern-day conflicts and the messages and narratives that are created around them. The reference to phone lines and being read by rhyme may suggest the role of the media in shaping public perception of war and violence. The lines "The violence strike and spare/Seems fortified down square" could be a commentary on the seemingly perpetual nature of conflict and its entrenched place in society. The final lines "What is the quality reaching low fo side/My tears intendedly bonified/You still motor high/Reach sending a modern tease/Right phone line/High voice tone/Forty lee and four a why" are more difficult to decipher, but could be a reflection on the frustration and anger felt by those who are affected by war and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow lead point to my head
I am being commanded to follow the orders and direction given to me.
We got Dresden solid dead
The situation is completely over and done with, there is no way of saving it.
I ain't gonna stand leaking from my hand
I will not tolerate any kind of loss or damage to my property.
Don't like the front of me on a mand
I do not like being controlled or manipulated by someone else.
Be still the messagly
Listen to the message that is being communicated.
Distending a modern tale
This is a story with a modern twist.
By phone line
The message is being transmitted over the phone.
Might have seen
Perhaps you have already witnessed this event.
On read by rhyme
The details are presented in a poetic and rhythmic way.
The violence strike and spare
Sometimes violence is necessary in order to achieve a desired outcome, but other times it can be avoided.
Seems fortified down square
It appears that everything is being handled properly and with precision.
What is the quality reaching low fo side
What is the standard that is being used to measure the success or quality of this situation?
My tears intendedly bonified
The tears I am shedding are a result of a deliberate and calculated decision.
You still motor high
You are still moving forward and taking action with determination.
Reach sending a modern tease
This is a modern and innovative way of sending a message.
Right phone line
This is the correct method of communication being used.
High voice tone
The message is being conveyed with a sense of urgency and importance.
Forty lee and four a why
This line seems to be nonsensical and does not convey a clear message.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind