Description

The Melvins are an American band that usually perform as a power trio, but as of 2006, have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, Singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members. They are considered one of the godfathers of grunge music, influencing many of the Seattle grunge bands. The band was named after a supervisor at a Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne also worked as a clerk. "Melvin" was greatly despised by other employees, and the band's members felt it to be an appropriately ridiculous name.

Originally formed as a hardcore punk band, Melvins' music is influenced by Black Flag's My War era punk rock and slow rock acts like Swans and Flipper; however, their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. Osborne has also stated that his guitar playing is more influenced by Black Flag than Black Sabbath, whom they are often compared to.[1] They often favor very slow tempos, and their sludgy sound was a strong influence on grunge music, especially Nirvana, Soundgarden, and many other bands from Seattle. Their protegés, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound. Melvins have also influenced many bands, including Tool,[2] who are personal friends with the band; Crowbar, Mastodon[3] and Eyehategod,[4] who participated in a Melvins tribute album, and Boris, who took their name from the title of a Melvins song.

Origin and Status

United States of America (Aberdeen, Washington) - Active

Current Members

King Buzzo (Buzz Osborne) - Guitar, Vocals (Fantômas, Venomous Concept)

Dale Crover - Drums (Nirvana, Fecal Matter, Porn, Shrinebuilder)

Jared Warren - Bass (Big Business, Karp, The Whip)

Coady Willis - Drums (Big Business

, Murder City Devils)

Past members

Bass:

Mark Deutrom (Clown Alley)

Lori Black (Lorax) (Clown Alley)

Joe Preston (High on Fire, Thrones, Earth (US), The Whip, C Average, Harvey Milk, Last Empire)

Matt Lukin (Mudhoney)

Dave Stone (Get Hustle)

Kevin Rutmanis (Tomahawk (US))

Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Trevor Dunn's Trio Convulsant, Electric Masada, Secret Chiefs 3, Mad Love, Ko?n (session))

Vocals:

Jello Biafra - on "Never Breathe What You Can't See" and "Sieg Howdy" (Dead Kennedys, Lard, Tumor Circus)

Mike Patton - on "Millenium Monsterwork" (Faith No More, Fantômas, Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk (US), Mondo Cane, General Patton vs The X-Ecutioners, Maldoror, The Dillinger Escape Plan, John Zorn, Kaada/Patton, Hemophiliac, House of Discipline, Moonraker, Christian Fennesz and Mike Patton, Patton & Rahzel, Weird Little Boy, Peeping Tom, Moonchild, Lovage)

Drums:

Mike Dillard

Discography    

Studio albums

Contacts and Links

http://www.melvins.com/

http://www.myspace.com/themelvins