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, 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 front man Jello Biafra, and in 2004 Melvins collaborated with ambient artist Lustmord for Pigs of the Roman Empire. In appreciation of their devoted fans, 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. Melvins are currently performing with bass player Jared Warren from Big Business, who participated on their albums (a) Senile Animal and Nude with Boots along with Osborne and Crover. Coady Willis, the drummer from Big Business, has also been inducted into the band - he and Crover both take up the position of drummer simultaneously, contributing extremely heavy-hitting, explosive rhythms in synchronization with each other. Currently, Melvins are on a US tour, that will be followed by a European tour late this fall. |
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