Going With The Known Demons: An Interview With The Melvins
Posted in Current Faves, Interviews, Music |Popshifter: I would like to know the first album that each of you ever bought.
Dale: First album?
Buzz: Album? Ugh, I think it was a Creedence Clearwater Revival record.
Dale: I had hand-me-downs.
Buzz: Well, what’s the first one you bought?
Popshifter: Like, bought with your own money. You wanted it and went out and bought it.
Buzz: Say something cool.
Popshifter: No, say something honest.
Dale: Yeah, okay. . . ugh.
Buzz: The Allman Brothers Double Album?
Dale: No it was more like The Osmond Brothers’ Crazy Horses.
Buzz: That sounds good.
Dale: Huh?
Buzz: Sounds good!
Popshifter: Okay, well, I think I have one more and I’ll let you guys. . .
Buzz: That’s it? All right.
Popshifter: Over the last twenty-something years. . .
Buzz: Twenty-five.
Popshifter: Twenty-five years. I was just curious . . . well, you guys have always been on the map, but always kind of not-mainstream, which I think is really—
Buzz: So what you’re saying is we’re not very successful.
Dale: (laughs) Aww. . .
Popshifter: No, that’s not what I’m saying at all.
Buzz: That’s very diplomatic of you.
Popshifter: What I mean is, was it a conscious decision to avoid being like, world-famous?
Buzz: That was not intentional.
Popshifter: Not intentional?
Probably not singing
a Melvins tune.
Buzz: Absolutely not. We want to sell as many records as we can, under the circumstances. We’re not trying to be perverse or weird, or trying not to sell albums. We’re beavering away at not selling albums. That’s our plan.
Dale: (laughs)
Popshifter: Well, I think that the fact that you have maintained the integrity of your music and you don’t do what people tell you to do, I think that’s awesome.
Buzz: (sincerely) Well, thank you!
Dale: Yeah, thank you.
Popshifter: You’re welcome.
Dale: You just can’t write songs like Justin Timberlake.
Buzz: Well, we can. . .
Dale: No.
Buzz: Why not? I’ve never tried. The problem with trying is it might not work, and hope is the first step towards failure. Remember that . . . always.
Later that night, I returned to One Eyed Jack’s to witness another outlandish display of imagination, one that only the Melvins could provide. The show was incredible and even louder now with two drummers mirroring each other (Dale: right-handed and Coady: left handed) and four vocalists. The four-piece is a sure fit and adds a whole new element of noise to their live shows (not that they have ever lacked in the noise department).
Founding members Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover are now joined by Coady Willis (drums/vocals) and Jared Warren (bass/”angelic harmonies”) of Big Business. The magnitude of musicianship from all four members is undeniable and especially prevalent in their live performances of songs from such classic albums as Stoner Witch and Houdini.
After nearly 25 years of experimental genius, the Melvins are still delivering their slow, hardcore, melodious sound, with incessant off-beat time signatures and growling vocals that literally make me giggle with amazement every time I hear them. The 2008 release of Nude With Boots introduces a new chapter in Melvins history that proves to be a beacon of influence to anyone craving something loud and unusual. So do yourself—and Buzz—a favor and go get your copy. . . because Cracker Barrel waits for no demon; known or unknown.
Additional Resources:
For all upcoming tour dates for the Melvins, please visit their MySpace page or the Ipecac Recordings website.
For more information on the upcoming Nightmare Before Christmas Festival, please visit the official website.
Click to read more from the Melvins on. . .
The perils of alcohol
‘Zines and Gene (Simmons)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Days of wrath and angels
First albums and plans to take over the world