Melvins

Melvins are a US band from Montesano, Washington, active since 1983. They are associated with sludge metal, grunge, stoner rock, alternative rock, drone metal, experimental rock, hard rock and metal. The group forms around Buzz Osborne, also known as King Buzzo, and drummer Dale Crover, with Osborne as the only remaining original member and Crover a constant presence from early in the band’s history.

History and line-up

The band starts in Montesano in 1983 and usually performs as a trio. Over time, several bass players cycle through the lineup, and in 2006 two members of Big Business become permanent members. The current line-up in the information provided includes Buzz Osborne on vocals and guitar, Steven Shane McDonald on bass, and Dale Crover on drums. Other members linked to the group include Lori Black, Joe Preston, Billy Anderson, Mark Deutrom, Kevin Rutmanis, Jared Warren, Coady Willis, JD Pinkus, Adam Jones, Paul Leary and Matt Lukin.

The name comes from a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano where Osborne works. Melvin is described as the most disliked co-worker there, and the band adopts the name as an appropriate choice.

Style and influence

Melvins develop a dark, heavy and very slow sound that helps shape sludge metal and also influences grunge and doom metal. Their music draws on Flipper, Black Flag’s My War-era hardcore punk and the heavy metal of Black Sabbath. Their approach is also marked by experimentation and an unusual sense of humour, which makes them difficult to classify neatly.

Their slow tempos and sludgy style have a strong effect on grunge, particularly on Nirvana and other bands from Seattle, although many of those later acts use more conventional song structures.

Collaborations and related work

Melvins maintain a long recording and touring schedule and take part in several collaborations. These include The Fantômas Melvins Big Band with Fantômas, two releases with former Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra, and Pigs of the Roman Empire, made with ambient artist Lustmord in 2004. Kurt Cobain, who grows up in nearby Aberdeen and is a friend of Crover, is a major fan of the band, helps move their equipment to shows, auditions on bass, and later appears on their major-label debut Houdini by playing guitar on “Sky Pup” and percussion on “Spread Eagle Beagle”.

Crover also plays on Nirvana’s Bleach and on Incesticide. Dave Grohl, formerly of Nirvana, co-writes and plays drums on “Isabella” on Buzz Osborne’s solo album King Buzzo.

Reception and collectables

The band receives largely positive critical attention, and Crover’s drumming is particularly praised. Melvins also issue a range of unusual collectables for fans over the years, including two-headed dolls, an eight-track tape and a plastic fetus in a jar.