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.
With Teeth
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a tiny bit nasty
But it's a part now just the same
Have you the time to make it right?
Lord knows I'm gonna let it fly
I know it's not very evil
But you've just got to learn to let it go
Sometimes when the heart beats wide
Like siz the well known water
Like siz the well known war
The lyrics to Melvins’ song “With Teeth” are cryptic and open to interpretation. It seems to suggest that the singer is addressing someone who possesses a part of themselves that is perhaps unpleasant or “nasty.” The singer acknowledges that this part may not be intentional or even “evil,” but still urges the listener to learn to “let it go.” The line “Sometimes when the heart beats wide, you can take it on the doves” is particularly enigmatic, but suggests that there may be cathartic or transformative potential in confronting uncomfortable or hidden aspects of oneself.
Overall, the message of the song seems to be about embracing and integrating all parts of oneself, even the parts that may not be socially acceptable or easy to confront. The lyrics encourage honesty and vulnerability as a means of growth and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got the part that's living now
You have this present moment that you can control
It's a tiny bit nasty
It may not be perfect or pleasant, but it's a part of your reality
But it's a part now just the same
Even if it's not ideal, this small piece of your life still exists and must be acknowledged
Have you the time to make it right?
Do you have the resources and energy to solve this problem?
Lord knows I'm gonna let it fly
I will release this issue and not let it weigh me down anymore
I know it's not very evil
This situation may not be inherently negative or malicious
But you've just got to learn to let it go
You need to accept that you cannot change everything and move on
Sometimes when the heart beats wide
At times when you feel deeply emotional
You can take it on the doves
You can release your feelings and let them soar away like doves
Like siz the well known water
There may be unknown depths and complexities to the situation
Like siz the well known war
It may be difficult or challenging, but it is a familiar battle that you can endure
Contributed by Evelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bringer of Light Phenox
In my humble opinion, this song ranks up there with the best of Melvins songs.
This has always been one of my favorite songs of theirs.
Shillian
That ending riff is just the gnarliest, then Buzz comes in with the tongue speak
U.SonomaBeach
Scientists recently discovered a method to actually weigh the entire known universe and the whole universe was almost as heavy as this song
adam imberti
The weight of the universe is measured in Melvins.
Lee Saunders
you forgot to mention that the scientists put together the equations/ coordinates and transposed it and this song was played. 🤘🤘
Harry Clark
Was lucky enough to see these guys in Brixton last sunday..played the whole of lysol and houdini...I almost died when this song came on
Derek Henriquez
I kept rewinding it on the album version, over and over lol
jaybat
kick ass
JoãoF
Thank god... it exists.
JoãoF
ahah I thought so. Anyway, thanks! Now I can leave the replay button alone. Could you send the mp3?