The Melvins
Encyclopedia
The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne
(also known as King Buzzo) and drummer Dale Crover
have been the band's constant members. The band was named after a supervisor at a Thriftway in Montesano, Washington
, where Osborne also worked as a clerk. "Melvin" was despised by other employees, and the band's members felt it to be an appropriately ridiculous name.
The Melvins' music is influenced by Black Flag
's mix of punk and metal on their album My War
, and other slow punk acts like Swans
, Flipper
and Wipers
, but also by some hard rock and metal bands as Kiss
and Alice Cooper; 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 with. They often favor very slow tempos, and their sludgy sound was a strong influence on music, especially Nirvana
, Soundgarden
, Green River
, and many other bands from Seattle
. These bands, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound. Melvins have also influenced many bands outside the Seattle grunge
scene, including Tool
, who are personal friends with the band, Boris
, who took their name from the title of a Melvins song, Mastodon
, Neurosis
, Eyehategod
, and Isis
.
(guitar/vocals), Matt Lukin
(bass) and Mike Dillard
(drums) who all went to Montesano Jr./Sr. High School in Montesano, Washington
. In the beginning they played Cream
and Jimi Hendrix
covers, and also began playing fast hardcore punk
. When Dillard left the band, Dale Crover
took his place, and the band's rehearsals moved to a back room of Crover's parents house in Aberdeen, Washington
. Soon afterward, they started to play songs slower and "heavier" than nearly anyone else at the time.
In 1985, C/Z Records
was created to document the Washington music scene, the label released Deep Six
, featuring four songs by Melvins. In 1986 the band released their debut, the Six Songs
EP, on C/Z Records
(later releases expanded and retitled this as 8 Songs, 10 Songs, and eventually 26 Songs in 2003 on Ipecac Recordings
). The album was recorded live to a two track at Ironwood, February 8, 1986.
In December 1986, they recorded their first full-length album, Gluey Porch Treatments
, at Studio D in Sausalito, California
. The album was released in 1987 on Alchemy Records
. Gluey Porch Treatments was later coupled with their second album Ozma for the Boner Records
CD release. It was expanded again for the 1999 rerelease on Ipecac Recordings
with some garage demos.
Crover played drums with Nirvana
when they recorded a ten song demo on January 23, 1988 in Seattle
, which later formed part of their debut LP Bleach
, and played a live show in Tacoma
later that day. Osborne would later introduce Cobain and Krist Novoselic to Dave Grohl. Later that year Osborne and Crover relocated to San Francisco, California. Lukin stayed and formed the band Mudhoney. Lori "Lorax" Black
(daughter of Shirley Temple
) replaced Lukin on bass. The band recorded Ozma
in May 1989, and released it later that year. The album was produced by Mark Deutrom
, who later joined the band on bass.
, which marked a slower, more drone-oriented style for the band. The band then toured Europe; their January 23, 1991 show in Alzey
, Germany was released by Tobby Holzinger as Your Choice Live Series Vol.12
. When they returned to the U.S., they recorded the Eggnog EP
, which was released the same year on Boner Records
.
Lorax left the band, and was replaced by Joe Preston
. Preston appears on the Salad of a Thousand Delights (1992, Box Dog Video). Melvins then released three "solo" EPs, following the concept and imitating the cover artwork inspired by the four Kiss
members' solo albums released in 1978. King Buzzo
, Dale Crover
, and Joe Preston
were all released in 1992 on Boner Records
. Later in 1992, they released the full-length album, Lysol
, which had to be renamed Melvins because Lysol
was a trademarked name. Preston departed from the band, and Lorax briefly rejoined.
became a massive, unexpected success, Melvins were one of many groups to benefit from Nirvana's support. They were signed by Atlantic Records
, and their first major label release, 1993's Houdini
, entered the Billboard Heatseekers chart at 29. Mark Deutrom replaced Lorax on bass shortly after the album's release.
Gene Simmons
of Kiss
played bass with Melvins at Lollapalooza
in 1993 and 1994 for a full set. He also played bass with Melvins in 1993 in a concert with Primus
, on the song Goin' Blind
, a Kiss song that Melvins had covered on Houdini.
The Melvins released their second album for Atlantic in 1994, Stoner Witch
. Due to its experimental nature, the Melvins took their next album, Prick
, to Amphetamine Reptile Records
. Record label conflicts prevented the band from releasing any records under the name "Melvins", so the album was released with the band name written in mirror
. They returned to Atlantic one last time for 1996's Stag, which entered the Heatseekers chart at number 33. The band was dropped by Atlantic Records
in 1997 after three albums.
, in 1997. They recorded an August 1997 concert in Richmond, Melbourne, Australia as Alive at the F*ckerclub in 1998. The same year, Melvins opened for Tool
. (A humorous picture on the Tool website depicts the Melvins along with the words "Melvins say...Tool Sux!" spelled out in lunch meat. The photo was taken while on tour with Tool in 2002 in Australia.) In 1998, the Melvins played the second stage at Ozzfest.
1999 saw the beginning of a partnership with Mike Patton
's Ipecac Recordings
, which began remastering and reissuing much of the band's back catalog. The band also released three full-length albums dubbed (and later packaged together as) The Trilogy: The Maggot, The Bootlicker, and The Crybaby. The latter featured a number of guest vocalists and musicians. Kevin Rutmanis
, formerly of The Cows
, was bassist during this era.
In 2001, the band returned to their experimental tendencies for Colossus of Destiny, a live set of synthesizer and sampler experiments presented as two tracks (one clocking in at 59:23 and the other at five seconds). The album was described approvingly by one critic as "more like avant-garde
electro-acoustic than anything else."
In 2003 Atlantic Records
(UK) released Melvinmania: The Best of the Atlantic Years 1993–1996, a compilation of recycled tracks from the band's three major label releases. This release was unsanctioned by the band who had no input into the track selection or (occasionally inaccurate) liner notes.
In 2004, Osborne and Crover toured to celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band, and also released an art book Neither Here Nor There. The book is a collection of art by creators of their cover art as well as friends of the band, and also contained retrospectives on the past twenty years of the Melvins. The book included a CD with selected tracks from their albums.
for Pigs of the Roman Empire and with Dead Kennedys
singer Jello Biafra
for Never Breathe What You Can't See
and Sieg Howdy!
released in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Never Breathe What You Can't See
was supported by a mini-tour with Jello Biafra
and Adam Jones
from Tool
. A planned European tour was canceled in early October 2004 reportedly due to unknown complications involving Rutmanis. Following the tour cancellation, the Melvins finished the year playing a few shows with David Scott Stone
supporting the work of filmmaker Cameron Jamie in Europe and the United States.
When asked about Rutmanis and the canceled portion of the tour Osborne and Crover stated that Rutmanis had "disappeared". Fans feared that Rutmanis had departed like so many bassists before him; however, Rutmanis returned temporarily in early 2005. In June 2005, Rutmanis officially left the band with drug abuse rumored as the major cause. When Melvins toured with Jello Biafra in October and November 2005, David Scott Stone
filled in on bass.
In early 2006, Crover confirmed rumors of the members of the band Big Business
joining Melvins. Commenting on adding another drummer, Crover said this about Big Business drummer Coady Willis
: "He's left-handed, so we want to do this 'mirror image' type of thing. We've kind of fused our two drum sets together, and we're going to try and do some crazy thing with it. We're sharing these big toms in between us."
The merged bands toured the U.S. in the fall of 2006 in support of their album, (A) Senile Animal
. Melvins also toured briefly the United Kingdom in mid-December 2006. Two new songs entitled "Suicide in Progress" and "Billy Fish" have been played during the 2007 tour, and appear on their next album Nude With Boots
.
On June 16 and 17, 2008, a line up of Osborne, original drummer Mike Dillard, and Dale Crover (playing bass) played two shows at the Great American Music Hall
in San Francisco in honor of Jello Biafra
's 50th birthday. Both sets were composed of songs from The Mangled Demos, a collection of early material released on the Alternative Tentacles
record label in 2005.
In 2008 the band collaborated with the Italian band Zu
on a track. In July 2008, their new album entitled Nude With Boots
was released . Some of the recording sessions have been documented on a Japanese blog by Toshi Kasai. In December 2008, along with Mike Patton
, Melvins co-curated an edition of the All Tomorrow's Parties
Nightmare Before Christmas festival. They chose half of the lineup and also performed themselves.
The long rumoured (since 2003) remix CD "Chicken Switch
" was released on September 29, 2009 via Ipecac Recordings. Unlike usual remix cds where the remixer is given a single track to work with, for Chicken Switch each remixer was given a full album to work with and pull from to create their track.
The Melvins joined with New Orleans' super group Down
and Weedeater
for a North American tour in the Summer and Fall of 2009. The Melvins released their follow up to Nude With Boots, entitled The Bride Screamed Murder
, on June 1, 2010.
The Melvins started 2011 with a series of unique shows. Four of the shows were every Friday at Spaceland's in California. January 7 featured the current line-up playing Colossus of Destiny, Lysol, and Eggnog. Jan 14 featured a Melvins 1983 set followed by the band playing Houdini. Jan 21 featured a two-piece Melvins set followed by the current lineup playing Bullhead. Jan 28 featured the band playing a normal set followed by Stoner Witch.
In early 2011 they had the unfortunate distinction of being on tour first in Christchurch, New Zealand at the time of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake then in Tokyo, Japan at the time of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
. They are set to support Slayer at the All Tomorrow's Parties
'I'll Be Your Mirror' festival at Alexandra Palace, London in May 2012.
Buzz Osborne
Roger "Buzz" Osborne , also known as King Buzzo, is the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter and technically the only remaining founding member of the Melvins...
(also known as King Buzzo) and drummer Dale Crover
Dale Crover
Dale Crover is an American rock musician. Crover is best known as the drummer for Melvins and Men of Porn, Shrinebuilder, and for a brief time, drummer for Nirvana. He is also guitarist and vocalist for Altamont...
have been the band's constant members. The band was named after a supervisor at a Thriftway in Montesano, Washington
Montesano, Washington
Montesano is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,976 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Grays Harbor County.-History:Montesano was first settled in 1852 by Isaiah L. Scammon....
, where Osborne also worked as a clerk. "Melvin" was despised by other employees, and the band's members felt it to be an appropriately ridiculous name.
The Melvins' music is influenced by Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
's mix of punk and metal on their album My War
My War
My War is the second full length album by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag. It was released in 1984 on SST Records.Black Flag's founder and primary songwriter Greg Ginn played bass guitar in addition to his usual guitar; "Dale Nixon" is a pseudonym.My War was released after a long period...
, and other slow punk acts like Swans
Swans (band)
Swans are an influential American post-punk band initially active from 1982 to 1997, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. The band was one of the few groups to emerge from the early 1980s New York No Wave scene and stay intact into the next decade. Formed by Gira in...
, Flipper
Flipper (band)
Flipper is a punk band formed in San Francisco, California in 1979, continuing in often erratic fashion until the mid-1990s, then reuniting in 2005. The band influenced a number of grunge,, punk rock and noise rock bands...
and Wipers
Wipers
The Wipers were a punk rock group formed in Portland, Oregon in 1977 by guitarist Greg Sage, drummer Sam Henry and bassist Dave Koupal. Wipers were one of the earliest American purveyors of the genre, and the group's tight song structure and use of heavy distortion has been hailed as extremely...
, but also by some hard rock and metal bands as Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and Alice Cooper; however, their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
make neat categorization difficult. Osborne has also stated that his guitar playing is more influenced by Black Flag than Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, whom they are often compared with. They often favor very slow tempos, and their sludgy sound was a strong influence on music, especially Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
, Green River
Green River (band)
Green River was an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that was active from 1984 to 1988. Although the band had little commercial impact outside of its native Seattle, Green River proved to have significant influence on the genre later known as grunge, both with its own music and with the...
, and many other bands from Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. These bands, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound. Melvins have also influenced many bands outside the Seattle grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
scene, including Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
, who are personal friends with the band, Boris
Boris (band)
is a Japanese experimental rock band, known for often combining and switching between different music genres including drone metal, sludge metal, noise rock, psychedelic rock, ambient and pop...
, who took their name from the title of a Melvins song, Mastodon
Mastodon (band)
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor...
, Neurosis
Neurosis (band)
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
, Eyehategod
Eyehategod
Eyehategod is an American sludge metal band from New Orleans who formed in 1988. They have become one of the most well known bands to emerge from the NOLA metal scene...
, and Isis
Isis (band)
Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010...
.
Early days
The Melvins were formed in early 1983 by Buzz OsborneBuzz Osborne
Roger "Buzz" Osborne , also known as King Buzzo, is the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter and technically the only remaining founding member of the Melvins...
(guitar/vocals), Matt Lukin
Matt Lukin
Matt Lukin is an American musician, best known as a bassist and founding member of the Melvins and Mudhoney.-The Melvins :...
(bass) and Mike Dillard
Mike Dillard
Mike Dillard was drummer and one of the founding members of The Melvins. He left the band in 1984 and was replaced by Dale Crover. In 1986 he briefly played in Kurt Cobain's first band, Fecal Matter, before they disbanded....
(drums) who all went to Montesano Jr./Sr. High School in Montesano, Washington
Montesano, Washington
Montesano is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,976 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Grays Harbor County.-History:Montesano was first settled in 1852 by Isaiah L. Scammon....
. In the beginning they played Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
covers, and also began playing fast hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
. When Dillard left the band, Dale Crover
Dale Crover
Dale Crover is an American rock musician. Crover is best known as the drummer for Melvins and Men of Porn, Shrinebuilder, and for a brief time, drummer for Nirvana. He is also guitarist and vocalist for Altamont...
took his place, and the band's rehearsals moved to a back room of Crover's parents house in Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884. Aberdeen was incorporated on May 12, 1890. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis...
. Soon afterward, they started to play songs slower and "heavier" than nearly anyone else at the time.
In 1985, C/Z Records
C/Z Records
C/Z Records is a Seattle-based record label that was established in early 1985 by Chris Hanzsek and Tina Casale with the release of the now-legendary, Deep Six LP, which collected the earliest recordings of the real pro-genitors of what later came to be known as grunge...
was created to document the Washington music scene, the label released Deep Six
Deep Six (album)
The Deep Six compilation was released March 1986 . It was the very first release by C/Z Records, a few months before the release of Sub Pop 100 from Sub Pop Records. It was also arguably the second record to influence the later "Seattle sound" that would be known worldwide as grunge...
, featuring four songs by Melvins. In 1986 the band released their debut, the Six Songs
Six Songs (album)
Six Songs is an album by The Melvins, released in 1986 through C/Z Records. The album has been released as Six Songs , Eight Songs , 10 Songs and 26 Songs . The songs are taken from two sessions in 1986.Tracks 1-10 are taken from the 1991 eight/ten song, LP/CD version rerelease of this album...
EP, on C/Z Records
C/Z Records
C/Z Records is a Seattle-based record label that was established in early 1985 by Chris Hanzsek and Tina Casale with the release of the now-legendary, Deep Six LP, which collected the earliest recordings of the real pro-genitors of what later came to be known as grunge...
(later releases expanded and retitled this as 8 Songs, 10 Songs, and eventually 26 Songs in 2003 on Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,...
). The album was recorded live to a two track at Ironwood, February 8, 1986.
In December 1986, they recorded their first full-length album, Gluey Porch Treatments
Gluey Porch Treatments
-Side two:-1999 CD reissue bonus tracks:-Personnel:*The Melvins:**Dale Crover - drums**Matt Lukin - bass guitar, vocals**Buzz Osborne - vocals, guitar, liner notes on 1999 Ipecac reissue*Carl Herlofsson - producer, mixing*Mark Deutrom - producer...
, at Studio D in Sausalito, California
Sausalito, California
Sausalito is a San Francisco Bay Area city, in Marin County, California, United States. Sausalito is south-southeast of San Rafael, at an elevation of 13 feet . The population was 7,061 as of the 2010 census. The community is situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, and prior to...
. The album was released in 1987 on Alchemy Records
Alchemy Records (US)
Alchemy Records was a San Francisco Bay area independent record label, founded by Mark Deutrom and Victor Hayden.-Partial discography:*1985 - Clown Alley - Circus of Chaos *1986 - The Grim - Face of Betrayal *1986 - Sacrilege B.C...
. Gluey Porch Treatments was later coupled with their second album Ozma for the Boner Records
Boner Records
Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
CD release. It was expanded again for the 1999 rerelease on Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,...
with some garage demos.
Crover played drums with Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
when they recorded a ten song demo on January 23, 1988 in Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, which later formed part of their debut LP Bleach
Bleach (album)
Bleach is the debut album by the American rock band Nirvana, released in June 1989 through the independent record label Sub Pop. The main recording sessions took place at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, Washington between December 1988 and January 1989...
, and played a live show in Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
later that day. Osborne would later introduce Cobain and Krist Novoselic to Dave Grohl. Later that year Osborne and Crover relocated to San Francisco, California. Lukin stayed and formed the band Mudhoney. Lori "Lorax" Black
Lori Black (bassist)
Lori Black , also known as Lorax, is an American musician born in Santa Monica, California. She is the daughter of Shirley Temple and Charles Alden Black. She played bass guitar for Clown Alley and for the Melvins.- External links :...
(daughter of Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
) replaced Lukin on bass. The band recorded Ozma
Ozma (album)
-Side two:-CD bonus track:-Personnel:*The Melvins:**Dale – drums, backing vocals**Buzz – vocals, guitar**Lori – bass guitar*Mark Deutrom – producer*Joshua Roberts – engineer*Chris Dodge – cover art...
in May 1989, and released it later that year. The album was produced by Mark Deutrom
Mark Deutrom
Mark Deutrom is a musician, composer, songwriter, and producer.-Early life:Mark Deutrom's first professional engagement was at age 15 when he played guitar in an El Paso Community Theater...
, who later joined the band on bass.
The early 1990s
In 1990, the band recorded BullheadBullhead (album)
Bullhead is an album by the Melvins released in 1991 through Boner Records. This album is notable for having longer song lengths than previous Melvins albums...
, which marked a slower, more drone-oriented style for the band. The band then toured Europe; their January 23, 1991 show in Alzey
Alzey
Alzey is a Verband-free town – one belonging to no Verbandsgemeinde – in the Alzey-Worms district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is the fourth-largest town in Rhenish Hesse, after Mainz, Worms, and Bingen....
, Germany was released by Tobby Holzinger as Your Choice Live Series Vol.12
Your Choice Live Series Vol.12
-Personnel:*The Melvins:**Daledoe - drums, vocals**King Buzzo - vocals, Guitar**Lorax - Bass*Tobby Holzinger - ProducerDaledoe of the MELVINS...
. When they returned to the U.S., they recorded the Eggnog EP
Eggnog (album)
-Credits:*Dale – drums, Backing vocals*King Buzzo – Vocals, Guitar*Lorax – Bass*Jonathan Burnside – Producer*Billy Anderson – Producer*Diana Berry – Cover photos-Trivia:...
, which was released the same year on Boner Records
Boner Records
Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
.
Lorax left the band, and was replaced by Joe Preston
Joe Preston (bassist)
Joe Preston is a rock bass guitarist and a former band member of Earth, The Melvins, Men's Recovery Project, The Need and High on Fire. Preston has also played with Sunn O))), and has a solo project called Thrones. Joe Preston learned bass from Alexander Giles. In 2007, he joined Harvey Milk in...
. Preston appears on the Salad of a Thousand Delights (1992, Box Dog Video). Melvins then released three "solo" EPs, following the concept and imitating the cover artwork inspired by the four Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
members' solo albums released in 1978. King Buzzo
King Buzzo (album)
-Personnel:*King Buzzo - lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar, producer*Dave Grohl - lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, producer*Barrett Jones - producer, engineer*Harvey Bennett Stafford - cover and insert painting...
, Dale Crover
Dale Crover (album)
-Personnel:*Dale Crover - lead vocals, backup vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, lead drums, rhythm drums, backup drums*Debbi Shane - lead bass, rhythm bass, backup vocals*Greg Freeman - producer, engineer*Harvey Bennett Stafford - cover and insert painting...
, and Joe Preston
Joe Preston (album)
-Personnel:*Joe Preston - vocals, mixing*Denial Fiend - Hellish crossfire on wooden coffins*Salty Green - Chapman stick / Hands First Flower*Jeff Brangley - producer*Jonathan Burnside - engineer, mixing*Harvey Bennett Stafford - cover & inside painting...
were all released in 1992 on Boner Records
Boner Records
Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
. Later in 1992, they released the full-length album, Lysol
Lysol (album)
In the CD version of the album, the entire six song program is presented as one continuous and unbroken track.-Personnel:*King Buzzo - guitar, vocals*Joe Preston - bass, backup vocals*Dale Crover - drums, backup vocals...
, which had to be renamed Melvins because Lysol
Lysol
Lysol is a trade name for common household cleanersLysol may also refer to:* Lysol , a 1992 album by The Melvins* Lysol , Actor muMs da Schemer played Lysol in The Mad Real World skit on Chappelle's Show....
was a trademarked name. Preston departed from the band, and Lorax briefly rejoined.
The Atlantic years
When Nirvana's NevermindNevermind
Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records...
became a massive, unexpected success, Melvins were one of many groups to benefit from Nirvana's support. They were signed by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, and their first major label release, 1993's Houdini
Houdini (album)
Some vinyl copies include a cover of "Rocket Reducer No. 62 ", originally by the MC5, instead of "Spread Eagle Beagle". A Japanese CD release also contains "Rocket Reducer No...
, entered the Billboard Heatseekers chart at 29. Mark Deutrom replaced Lorax on bass shortly after the album's release.
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
of Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
played bass with Melvins at Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
in 1993 and 1994 for a full set. He also played bass with Melvins in 1993 in a concert with Primus
Primus (band)
Primus is an American rock band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane. Primus originally formed in 1984 with Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth, later joined by Lane, though the latter two departed...
, on the song Goin' Blind
Goin' Blind
"Goin' Blind" is a song by Kiss written by Gene Simmons and Stephen Coronel, sometimes referred to as "Going Blind". The song originally appeared on the band's second album, 1974's Hotter Than Hell...
, a Kiss song that Melvins had covered on Houdini.
The Melvins released their second album for Atlantic in 1994, Stoner Witch
Stoner Witch
-Personnel:*The Melvins – performer, producer**King B – vocals, guitar, and bass**Dale C – drums, guitar and backing vocals**Mark D – bass, guitar and backing vocals*GGGarth – producer*Joe Barresi – engineer*Geetus Guido South Aguto – assistant engineer...
. Due to its experimental nature, the Melvins took their next album, Prick
Prick (album)
-Personnel:*Melvins - Producer**Mark Deutrom - Bass**Dale Crover - drums**King Buzzo - vocals, Guitar*Konstantin Johannes - Audio Engineer...
, to Amphetamine Reptile Records
Amphetamine Reptile Records
Amphetamine Reptile Records is a nationally renowned record label which was founded in 1986 by then-US Marine Tom Hazelmyer in Washington State, US The label is best-known for its roster of noise rock artists, and its Dope, Guns 'n' Fucking In The Streets series of compilations.-History:Hazelmyer...
. Record label conflicts prevented the band from releasing any records under the name "Melvins", so the album was released with the band name written in mirror
Mirror writing
Mirror writing is formed by writing in the direction that is the reverse of the natural way for a given language, such that the result is the mirror image of normal writing: it appears normal when it is reflected in a mirror. It is sometimes used as an extremely primitive form of cipher...
. They returned to Atlantic one last time for 1996's Stag, which entered the Heatseekers chart at number 33. The band was dropped by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in 1997 after three albums.
Late 1990s-mid 2000s
The band signed with Amphetamine Reptile Records and released their next full-length album, HonkyHonky (album)
- Personnel :* Buzz Osborne - Guitar, vocals* Dale Crover - drums* Mark Deutrom - Bass* Katherine Bjelland - Additional Vocals * Mac Mann - Piano, Bells and Synthesizer...
, in 1997. They recorded an August 1997 concert in Richmond, Melbourne, Australia as Alive at the F*ckerclub in 1998. The same year, Melvins opened for Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
. (A humorous picture on the Tool website depicts the Melvins along with the words "Melvins say...Tool Sux!" spelled out in lunch meat. The photo was taken while on tour with Tool in 2002 in Australia.) In 1998, the Melvins played the second stage at Ozzfest.
1999 saw the beginning of a partnership with Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
's Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings
Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,...
, which began remastering and reissuing much of the band's back catalog. The band also released three full-length albums dubbed (and later packaged together as) The Trilogy: The Maggot, The Bootlicker, and The Crybaby. The latter featured a number of guest vocalists and musicians. Kevin Rutmanis
Kevin Rutmanis
Kevin Rutmanis is an American bass guitarist. He is of Latvian descent. In late 1985, along with his younger brother Sandris Rutmanis, Thor Eisentrager, and then Jayhawks drummer Norm Rogers started the band The Cows. After the dissolution of The Cows, Rutmanis was the bass guitar player for The...
, formerly of The Cows
The Cows
Cows are a post-hardcore/punk blues band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1998. They were known for a unique mixture of punk rock and blues played with large amounts of noise and surreal humour; their music is often considered noise rock...
, was bassist during this era.
In 2001, the band returned to their experimental tendencies for Colossus of Destiny, a live set of synthesizer and sampler experiments presented as two tracks (one clocking in at 59:23 and the other at five seconds). The album was described approvingly by one critic as "more like avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
electro-acoustic than anything else."
In 2003 Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
(UK) released Melvinmania: The Best of the Atlantic Years 1993–1996, a compilation of recycled tracks from the band's three major label releases. This release was unsanctioned by the band who had no input into the track selection or (occasionally inaccurate) liner notes.
In 2004, Osborne and Crover toured to celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band, and also released an art book Neither Here Nor There. The book is a collection of art by creators of their cover art as well as friends of the band, and also contained retrospectives on the past twenty years of the Melvins. The book included a CD with selected tracks from their albums.
Mid 2000s-present
In 2004 the Melvins collaborated with ambient artist LustmordLustmord
Brian Williams is a British electronic musician often credited for creating the dark ambient genre with albums recorded under the name Lustmord.- History :Williams started recording as Lustmord in 1980 before joining SPK in 1982...
for Pigs of the Roman Empire and with Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
singer Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
for Never Breathe What You Can't See
Never Breathe What You Can't See
Never Breathe What You Can't See is an album by Jello Biafra and The Melvins. It was released in 2004 through Alternative Tentacles...
and Sieg Howdy!
Sieg Howdy!
Sieg Howdy! is the second album by Jello Biafra and The Melvins. It consists of songs recorded during the same sessions that produced their first collaboration Never Breathe What You Can't See but not used on that album, plus remixes of four songs from the first album.The opening track, a cover of...
released in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Never Breathe What You Can't See
Never Breathe What You Can't See
Never Breathe What You Can't See is an album by Jello Biafra and The Melvins. It was released in 2004 through Alternative Tentacles...
was supported by a mini-tour with Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
and Adam Jones
Adam Jones (musician)
Adam Thomas Jones is a three time Grammy Award-winning Welsh-American musician and visual artist, best known for his position as the guitarist for Grammy-Award winning band Tool. Jones has been rated the 75th Greatest Guitarist of all time by the Rolling Stone and placed 9th in Guitar World's Top...
from Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
. A planned European tour was canceled in early October 2004 reportedly due to unknown complications involving Rutmanis. Following the tour cancellation, the Melvins finished the year playing a few shows with David Scott Stone
David Scott Stone
David Scott Stone is a musician who has recorded and toured with artists like The Melvins, Unwound, Fantômas, The Locust, Jello Biafra, Keiji Haino, Mike Patton, Adam Jones , Merzbow, Masonna, Big Business, No Age, Joe Lally and others. He is currently a member of LCD Soundsystem...
supporting the work of filmmaker Cameron Jamie in Europe and the United States.
When asked about Rutmanis and the canceled portion of the tour Osborne and Crover stated that Rutmanis had "disappeared". Fans feared that Rutmanis had departed like so many bassists before him; however, Rutmanis returned temporarily in early 2005. In June 2005, Rutmanis officially left the band with drug abuse rumored as the major cause. When Melvins toured with Jello Biafra in October and November 2005, David Scott Stone
David Scott Stone
David Scott Stone is a musician who has recorded and toured with artists like The Melvins, Unwound, Fantômas, The Locust, Jello Biafra, Keiji Haino, Mike Patton, Adam Jones , Merzbow, Masonna, Big Business, No Age, Joe Lally and others. He is currently a member of LCD Soundsystem...
filled in on bass.
In early 2006, Crover confirmed rumors of the members of the band Big Business
Big Business (band)
Big Business is a stoner metal/sludge metal band from Seattle who are currently signed to Gold Metal Records.-History:Big Business started as a two piece band composed of Jared Warren of Karp and The Tight Bros From Way Back When, and Coady Willis of Murder City Devils...
joining Melvins. Commenting on adding another drummer, Crover said this about Big Business drummer Coady Willis
Coady Willis
Coady Willis is a drummer and a member of Big Business, White Shit, and The Melvins.Willis previously played in the bands Dead Low Tide, Broadcast Oblivion and Murder City Devils before Big Business....
: "He's left-handed, so we want to do this 'mirror image' type of thing. We've kind of fused our two drum sets together, and we're going to try and do some crazy thing with it. We're sharing these big toms in between us."
The merged bands toured the U.S. in the fall of 2006 in support of their album, (A) Senile Animal
(A) Senile Animal
-Personnel:* Melvins:** King Buzzo – guitar, vocals** Dale Crover – drums, vocals** Jared Warren – bass guitar, vocals** Coady Willis – drums, vocals* Toshi Kasai – Recording and Mixing* John Golden – Mastering...
. Melvins also toured briefly the United Kingdom in mid-December 2006. Two new songs entitled "Suicide in Progress" and "Billy Fish" have been played during the 2007 tour, and appear on their next album Nude With Boots
Nude with Boots
Nude with Boots is an album by the Melvins, released on July 8, 2008 . The album features the same line-up as its predecessor Senile Animal...
.
On June 16 and 17, 2008, a line up of Osborne, original drummer Mike Dillard, and Dale Crover (playing bass) played two shows at the Great American Music Hall
Great American Music Hall
The Great American Music Hall is a concert hall in San Francisco, California. It is located on O'Farrell Street in the Tenderloin neighborhood on the same block as the Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theater...
in San Francisco in honor of Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
's 50th birthday. Both sets were composed of songs from The Mangled Demos, a collection of early material released on the Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
record label in 2005.
In 2008 the band collaborated with the Italian band Zu
Zu (band)
- Biography :Hailing from Ostia, a town near Rome, Zu are an atypical trio made of drums, electric bass, baritone saxophone and electronics. Formed in Rome in 1997, they began as composers and players for theatre performances. The band is composed of three members: Luca Mai on baritone saxophone,...
on a track. In July 2008, their new album entitled Nude With Boots
Nude with Boots
Nude with Boots is an album by the Melvins, released on July 8, 2008 . The album features the same line-up as its predecessor Senile Animal...
was released . Some of the recording sessions have been documented on a Japanese blog by Toshi Kasai. In December 2008, along with Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
, Melvins co-curated an edition of the All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
Nightmare Before Christmas festival. They chose half of the lineup and also performed themselves.
The long rumoured (since 2003) remix CD "Chicken Switch
Chicken Switch
Chicken Switch is a Melvins remix album by various noise and experimental artists, which was released on September 29, 2009. Unlike usual remix albums where the remixer is given a single track to work with, for Chicken Switch each remixer was given a full album to work with and pull from to create...
" was released on September 29, 2009 via Ipecac Recordings. Unlike usual remix cds where the remixer is given a single track to work with, for Chicken Switch each remixer was given a full album to work with and pull from to create their track.
The Melvins joined with New Orleans' super group Down
Down (band)
Down is an American heavy metal supergroup that formed in 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarist Pepper Keenan, guitarist Kirk Windstein, bassist Pat Bruders and drummer Jimmy Bower. Since their formation, Down has gone on hiatus twice...
and Weedeater
Weedeater (band)
Weedeater is a sludge metal band formed in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1997 with members from the recently defunct Buzzov•en. The band has released four full length albums...
for a North American tour in the Summer and Fall of 2009. The Melvins released their follow up to Nude With Boots, entitled The Bride Screamed Murder
The Bride Screamed Murder
The Bride Screamed Murder is the 20th studio album by the Melvins, which was released on June 1, 2010. It is their first album to have hit the Billboard 200 Pop Charts at #200, selling 2,809 albums in the first few weeks...
, on June 1, 2010.
The Melvins started 2011 with a series of unique shows. Four of the shows were every Friday at Spaceland's in California. January 7 featured the current line-up playing Colossus of Destiny, Lysol, and Eggnog. Jan 14 featured a Melvins 1983 set followed by the band playing Houdini. Jan 21 featured a two-piece Melvins set followed by the current lineup playing Bullhead. Jan 28 featured the band playing a normal set followed by Stoner Witch.
In early 2011 they had the unfortunate distinction of being on tour first in Christchurch, New Zealand at the time of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake then in Tokyo, Japan at the time of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
. They are set to support Slayer at the All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
'I'll Be Your Mirror' festival at Alexandra Palace, London in May 2012.
Current members
- Buzz OsborneBuzz OsborneRoger "Buzz" Osborne , also known as King Buzzo, is the guitarist/vocalist/songwriter and technically the only remaining founding member of the Melvins...
– lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
(1983–present) - Dale CroverDale CroverDale Crover is an American rock musician. Crover is best known as the drummer for Melvins and Men of Porn, Shrinebuilder, and for a brief time, drummer for Nirvana. He is also guitarist and vocalist for Altamont...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, vocals (1984–present) - Jared WarrenJared WarrenJared Warren is the bassist of both Big Business and The Melvins.Both Warren and Willis joined The Melvins in January 2006 and appear on Senile Animal as well as 2008's Nude With Boots and 2010's album The Bride Screamed Murder...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals (2006–present) - Coady WillisCoady WillisCoady Willis is a drummer and a member of Big Business, White Shit, and The Melvins.Willis previously played in the bands Dead Low Tide, Broadcast Oblivion and Murder City Devils before Big Business....
– drums, vocals (2006–present)
Former members
- Mike DillardMike DillardMike Dillard was drummer and one of the founding members of The Melvins. He left the band in 1984 and was replaced by Dale Crover. In 1986 he briefly played in Kurt Cobain's first band, Fecal Matter, before they disbanded....
– drums (1983–1984, 2008–2011 (performing songs from Mangled Demos from 1983Mangled Demos from 1983Mangled Demos from 1983 is a collection of various early Melvins recordings from 1983, remastered and released on Ipecac in 2005. Until 2005, none of the material had ever been officially released. A few tracks included in this album have previously appeared on bootleg releases. It is the only...
)) - Matt LukinMatt LukinMatt Lukin is an American musician, best known as a bassist and founding member of the Melvins and Mudhoney.-The Melvins :...
– bass guitar (1983–1987) - Lori "Lorax" BlackLori Black (bassist)Lori Black , also known as Lorax, is an American musician born in Santa Monica, California. She is the daughter of Shirley Temple and Charles Alden Black. She played bass guitar for Clown Alley and for the Melvins.- External links :...
– bass guitar (1987–1991, 1992–1993) - Joe PrestonJoe Preston (bassist)Joe Preston is a rock bass guitarist and a former band member of Earth, The Melvins, Men's Recovery Project, The Need and High on Fire. Preston has also played with Sunn O))), and has a solo project called Thrones. Joe Preston learned bass from Alexander Giles. In 2007, he joined Harvey Milk in...
– bass guitar (1991–1992) - Mark DeutromMark DeutromMark Deutrom is a musician, composer, songwriter, and producer.-Early life:Mark Deutrom's first professional engagement was at age 15 when he played guitar in an El Paso Community Theater...
– bass guitar, guitar (1993–1998) - Kevin RutmanisKevin RutmanisKevin Rutmanis is an American bass guitarist. He is of Latvian descent. In late 1985, along with his younger brother Sandris Rutmanis, Thor Eisentrager, and then Jayhawks drummer Norm Rogers started the band The Cows. After the dissolution of The Cows, Rutmanis was the bass guitar player for The...
– bass guitar (1998–2005)
Additional and touring musicians
- Tom FlynnBoner RecordsBoner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
– bass guitar (1990) - Dave Sahijdak (aka Dave SharpDave Sharp (bass guitarist)Dave Sharp was the touring bass guitarist for the rock band Melvins during their 1993 tour. He currently plays in several bands including Jungle with Muruga Booker and Steven Springer, Spheres of Influence, and his own band the Dave Sharp Secret Seven....
) – bass guitar (1993) - David Scott StoneDavid Scott StoneDavid Scott Stone is a musician who has recorded and toured with artists like The Melvins, Unwound, Fantômas, The Locust, Jello Biafra, Keiji Haino, Mike Patton, Adam Jones , Merzbow, Masonna, Big Business, No Age, Joe Lally and others. He is currently a member of LCD Soundsystem...
– guitar, bass guitar (1997–2005) - Adam JonesAdam Jones (musician)Adam Thomas Jones is a three time Grammy Award-winning Welsh-American musician and visual artist, best known for his position as the guitarist for Grammy-Award winning band Tool. Jones has been rated the 75th Greatest Guitarist of all time by the Rolling Stone and placed 9th in Guitar World's Top...
– guitar, bass guitar (various dates from 1998–2008) - Jello BiafraJello BiafraJello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
– vocals (2004–2005, 2008, in support of their collaborations) - Trevor DunnTrevor DunnTrevor Roy Dunn is an American composer, bass guitarist and double bassist.Dunn came to prominence in the 1990s with the experimental band Mr. Bungle. He has since worked in an array of musical styles, notably with singer and Mr...
– bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–2009, 2011)
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Gluey Porch Treatments Gluey Porch Treatments -Side two:-1999 CD reissue bonus tracks:-Personnel:*The Melvins:**Dale Crover - drums**Matt Lukin - bass guitar, vocals**Buzz Osborne - vocals, guitar, liner notes on 1999 Ipecac reissue*Carl Herlofsson - producer, mixing*Mark Deutrom - producer... |
Alchemy Records Alchemy Records (US) Alchemy Records was a San Francisco Bay area independent record label, founded by Mark Deutrom and Victor Hayden.-Partial discography:*1985 - Clown Alley - Circus of Chaos *1986 - The Grim - Face of Betrayal *1986 - Sacrilege B.C... |
| 1989 | Ozma Ozma (album) -Side two:-CD bonus track:-Personnel:*The Melvins:**Dale – drums, backing vocals**Buzz – vocals, guitar**Lori – bass guitar*Mark Deutrom – producer*Joshua Roberts – engineer*Chris Dodge – cover art... |
Boner Records Boner Records Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead... |
| 1991 | Bullhead Bullhead (album) Bullhead is an album by the Melvins released in 1991 through Boner Records. This album is notable for having longer song lengths than previous Melvins albums... |
Boner Records Boner Records Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead... |
| 1992 | Lysol Lysol (album) In the CD version of the album, the entire six song program is presented as one continuous and unbroken track.-Personnel:*King Buzzo - guitar, vocals*Joe Preston - bass, backup vocals*Dale Crover - drums, backup vocals... |
Boner Records Boner Records Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead... |
| 1993 | Houdini Houdini (album) Some vinyl copies include a cover of "Rocket Reducer No. 62 ", originally by the MC5, instead of "Spread Eagle Beagle". A Japanese CD release also contains "Rocket Reducer No... |
Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1994 | Prick Prick (album) -Personnel:*Melvins - Producer**Mark Deutrom - Bass**Dale Crover - drums**King Buzzo - vocals, Guitar*Konstantin Johannes - Audio Engineer... |
Amphetamine Reptile Records Amphetamine Reptile Records Amphetamine Reptile Records is a nationally renowned record label which was founded in 1986 by then-US Marine Tom Hazelmyer in Washington State, US The label is best-known for its roster of noise rock artists, and its Dope, Guns 'n' Fucking In The Streets series of compilations.-History:Hazelmyer... |
| 1994 | Stoner Witch Stoner Witch -Personnel:*The Melvins – performer, producer**King B – vocals, guitar, and bass**Dale C – drums, guitar and backing vocals**Mark D – bass, guitar and backing vocals*GGGarth – producer*Joe Barresi – engineer*Geetus Guido South Aguto – assistant engineer... |
Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1996 | Stag | Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1997 | Honky Honky (album) - Personnel :* Buzz Osborne - Guitar, vocals* Dale Crover - drums* Mark Deutrom - Bass* Katherine Bjelland - Additional Vocals * Mac Mann - Piano, Bells and Synthesizer... |
Amphetamine Reptile Records Amphetamine Reptile Records Amphetamine Reptile Records is a nationally renowned record label which was founded in 1986 by then-US Marine Tom Hazelmyer in Washington State, US The label is best-known for its roster of noise rock artists, and its Dope, Guns 'n' Fucking In The Streets series of compilations.-History:Hazelmyer... |
| 1999 | The Maggot The Maggot -Personnel:*The Melvins - producer**King Buzzo - vocals, guitar, and bass**Dale Crover - drums, guitar and vocals**Kevin Rutmanis - bass, slide bass and screaming*Tim Green - engineer, producer... |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
| 1999 | The Bootlicker The Bootlicker -Credits:*The Melvins - Producer**King Buzzo - vocals, Guitar, noises**Dale Crover - drums, Percussion, vocals**Kevin Rutmanis - Bass, Slide bass*Eric Peterson - Piano on track 9*Mackie Osborne - Artwork*Tim Green - Engineer, Producer... |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
| 2000 | The Crybaby The Crybaby -Personnel:*The Melvins:**King Buzzo - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, noise**Dale Crover - drums, guitar, vocals, noise**Kevin Rutmanis - bass, slide bass, oscillator, harmonica, metronome, vocals, guitar*Tool:**Danny Carey - drums on track 7... |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
| 2001 | Electroretard Electroretard -Track information:#"Shit Storm" - The song "Revolve" from Stoner Witch reversed with added effects and drums. The version used was from Stoner Witch and not the version featured here.#"Youth of America" - Wipers cover... |
Man's Ruin Records Man's Ruin Records Man's Ruin Records was an independent record label, owned and founded by Bay Area artist Frank Kozik. After the 1994 release of Man's Ruin's first record, entitled Experimental Audio Research : Delta 6, Kozik worked with artists who he wanted to release; he also designed all of the sleeve art for... |
| 2002 | Hostile Ambient Takeover Hostile Ambient Takeover -Personnel:*The Melvins:**Dale Crover - drums, vocals, keyboards**Kevin Rutmanis - bass, slide bass**King Buzzo - vocals, guitar*Sir David Scott Stone - thunder sheet, electric wire*Toshi Kasai - keyboards, recording, mixing*Adam Jones - virus... |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
| 2004 | Pigs of the Roman Empire Pigs of the Roman Empire Pigs of the Roman Empire is an album by Melvins and Lustmord, which was released in 2004 through Ipecac Recordings. There are two untitled songs on track 9.-Track listing:#"III" – 3:00#"The Bloated Pope" – 3:45#"Toadi Acceleratio" – 3:25... (w/ Lustmord Lustmord Brian Williams is a British electronic musician often credited for creating the dark ambient genre with albums recorded under the name Lustmord.- History :Williams started recording as Lustmord in 1980 before joining SPK in 1982... ) |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
| 2006 | (A) Senile Animal (A) Senile Animal -Personnel:* Melvins:** King Buzzo – guitar, vocals** Dale Crover – drums, vocals** Jared Warren – bass guitar, vocals** Coady Willis – drums, vocals* Toshi Kasai – Recording and Mixing* John Golden – Mastering... |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
| 2008 | Nude with Boots Nude with Boots Nude with Boots is an album by the Melvins, released on July 8, 2008 . The album features the same line-up as its predecessor Senile Animal... |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
| 2010 | The Bride Screamed Murder The Bride Screamed Murder The Bride Screamed Murder is the 20th studio album by the Melvins, which was released on June 1, 2010. It is their first album to have hit the Billboard 200 Pop Charts at #200, selling 2,809 albums in the first few weeks... |
Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman and Mike Patton Ipecac Recordings is an independent record label based in California. It was founded on April 1, 1999 by Greg Werckman (ex-label manager of Alternative Tentacles,... |
External links
- Melvins official website
- Melvins fan site
- Melvins at Encyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia MetallumEncyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives is a website which lists bands from various forms of heavy metal music...
- Melvins at Ipecac Recordings
- The MelvinsWiki
- Video interview with The Melvins
- Video interview with the Melvins and 2 live videos (4/07)
- Melvins biography / discography on IHRTN.com
- Interview with Buzz Osborne from groundcontrolmag.com
- Video interview of The Melvins by Serene Dominic