Just curious as to how some of you first came to know and appreciate the Melvins!
As for myself, before I ever heard the Melvins I assumed they were either a classic rock band such as the Yardbirds or some strange electro-rock band from the 80's like Depeche mode or something hilarious. Eventually I got into Mr. Bungle and noticed that the Melvins were associated which surprised me. Unfortunately I am a late Melvins bloomer, so when I searched them on Youtube I found "The Talking Horse" and thus found their Discography worthy of being heard. I listened to each of their albums 5-6 times in chronological order in order for me to be able to comprehend what was happening in my ear vaginas. But I remember it was certain songs at first that stuck such as: Oven, Let God Be Your Gardener, Claude, Wispy, Pearl Bomb, Skin Horse, Mombius Hibachi, The Bloated Pope, Toadi Acceleratio + plenty plenty more. Not to mention their entire attitude towards life + making music is easy to appreciate. Ever since I first laid ears on the music of the Melvins they've been one of the most inspiring acts in my books.
I was a Nirvana fan and learned about The Melvins from them. One day in a record store I saw a copy of the With Yo Heart Not Yo Hands 45 and grabbed it. It was cool...4 Letter Woman was the track that really made me like them. Soon after I discovered a mail order catalog for records from a company called vinyl inc. They had a million Melvins titles listed. I was so intimidated and didn't know where to start, so I ordered the self titled one, thinking it was their first album (Not knowing it was called Lysol and they had to change it) The first side of that record totally blew my mind. Soon after I got the rest. I feel lucky that my first full length was Lysol. I was truly blessened!
I saw the "Hooch" video on Mtv Latino in 1998 in a program called "Mtv Rocks", tried to record it during the rerun of the program but they deleted that particular video and broadcasted something else instead.
Bought "Houdini" on CD in 2000 but I wasn't too ready for their style and thought it was too "different" from all the other bands I was digging back then, even though I was beginning with The Mars Volta during that time.
Bought the "Deep Six" comp on CD in 2004. After listening to those four songs I started to really dig the band. I bought "Bullhead" on CD next year and the rest is history.
I started getting into rock music in 1999-2000 when I was like 10 or 11. In 2000 my favorite bands were Metallica and Nirvana and I read a lot about Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. I read Kurt's love for and relationship with the Melvins, so I decided to check the band out. I bought Stoner Witch at a cd store (my first Melvins record) without ever have hearing any of their music before. I remember one time I was listening to Stoner Witch in my room, and my mom came in while Skweetis was playing. She gave me a wierd look and said, "You paid for this?!" The next records I got were Gluey Porch Treatments, The Crybaby, and Collosus Of Destiny. I immediately liked them and I just kept buying the cd's I could get my hands on, and researching the band online. I was like 12 or 13 when I first started using the internet around 2001 or 2002 and it was an exciting time. I used to frequently visit the melvins.net and the captain pungent website around that time. Anyone remember the captain pungent website? that was a good one. I remember that site had an article about sex written by Kevin Rutmanis (wierd, huh). I've been a huge fan for the past 12 years, and it's always been a blast to follow their career. Thanks to youtube since 2006 there has been so much live footage of the band to watch online. It was really exciting to see that happen, because I really hadn't seen a whole lot of live footage of the band in the pre-youtube days.
Melvins opened for Down and I kind of liked them ever since.
I went to go see D.R.I. at the Crescent Ballroom in Tacoma Washington in May of 1987. Melvins were the first band on the bill along with Poison Idea. They each wore a different color Star Trek shirt. They blew my mind. Shortly after that I picked up the Deep Six compilation and wore the record out.
Ran across the Deep Six version of Grinding Process on YouTube; I only clicked on it because I thought the title "Grinding Process" was pretty cool :P Ended up listening to that whole compilation and really loving all the Melvins tracks on there. Bought Houdini a couple days later, and Bullhead about a week after. Ever since then I've been hooked!
I was living in Scotland and spending all my time gloriously unemployed and photographing military planes. I was bored shitless with the music I already had, and finding 'new' stuff in Dundee was impossible as the whole city was permanently in 1979. One day Dominic Dodd, a medical student and punk from nearby St. Andrews and a fellow plane nerd, lent me an LP he'd bought in Manchester at the weekend. It was GPT. Everything changed from that moment on.
Was outside "Arena", the big tent on Roskilde in 2004, waiting for the next act, half knowing that the band on stage was called The Melvins. Was drinking beer and chatting with me mate (who was on week bachelor party at the festival for his marrying mate) and me gal and chatting, but got more and more fascinated by the sludgy, mean and Sabbath-like sound that came from the tent. Me and me mate agreed that this was pretty good, but I didnt go into to the tent to watch, just stayed outside to be near the next beer to buy. I didnt think much about it after that, but when I got back I found Hooch on the internet by the orchestra, and got hooked immediately! "Where have you been all my life?" I asked, knowing that this music was IT, this was what I had been looking for in my quest. First time I got to see them live was at KOKO Club at ATP, in 2005 I think it was.
Quote from: Schnabster on December 06, 2012, 02:29:01 AM
knowing that this music was IT, this was what I had been looking for in my quest.
Exactly this!
My sister bought me a subscription to CMJ from about 2000-2003. Each magazine came with a cd of about 20 songs. Most of the songs and bands weren't good though. I remember my brother telling me he hated the Melvins so I listened to the song, Brain Center at Whipples, of out curiosity. I actually thought it was pretty good, especially the sped up ending, but because of how much my brother seemed to loathe them I just kind of moved on.
In roughly 2004 or 2005 I bought Millennium Monsterwork because I was really into Fantomas. I was blown away by the Melvins tracks and downloaded the originals off Kazaa. I also talked my brother into giving me the Melvins cd he bought that he hated, Honky. Much to my surprise I really loved Honky and proceeded to buy the rest of their albums.
It's a pretty weird way to get into them. Oh well. My brother did finally come around to them a little bit once he heard the more rock oriented songs but I doubt he'll ever buy any of their albums or see them live again.
Quote from: Metalhead Cow on December 05, 2012, 08:14:16 PM
I remember one time I was listening to Stoner Witch in my room, and my mom came in while Skweetis was playing. She gave me a wierd look and said, "You paid for this?!"
I think a lot of Melvins fans incorrectly think that Stoner Witch is their mainstream album because we're used to albums like CoD and Honky but truthfully it's a pretty weird album.
in 1994 i went with my dad in this big commercial store...i took a look to the records and i saw Prick,i knew The Melvins only by name through Nirvana...
yes,i'm saying i bought a copy of Prick :shock:
Quote from: black stallion on December 06, 2012, 11:56:14 AM
in 1994 i went with my dad in this big commercial store...i took a look to the records and i saw Prick,i knew The Melvins only by name through Nirvana...
yes,i'm saying i bought a copy of Prick :shock:
:lol:
I am surprised you don't hate MELVINS after PRICK.
Purchased Ozma on cassete after Nirvana plugging in 1991.
Waited anxiously to see em' live and..Gwar/Melvins with Joe on bass. :love:
Quote from: black stallion on December 06, 2012, 11:56:14 AM
in 1994 i went with my dad in this big commercial store...i took a look to the records and i saw Prick,i knew The Melvins only by name through Nirvana...
yes,i'm saying i bought a copy of Prick :shock:
:lol:
i have only heard of them until i was in grade 9, i traded and old Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids demo for Nirvana outcesticide 3 , buddy put on Honey Bucket and Sky Pup at the end of the tape, that moment blew my mind!!! ever since i was hooked no looking back , everyone i knew was getting into Korn and all that shit i just soaked in the Melvins.
A long time ago. At your mom's house.
Melvins stole my soul and have been my favorite band ever since.
Quote from: JUDY on December 06, 2012, 12:48:05 PM
A long time ago. At your mom's house.
Melvins stole my soul and have been my favorite band ever since.
Best story ever!!!
Quote from: pinkyslim on December 06, 2012, 12:53:13 PM
Quote from: (the) flutter nuts on December 06, 2012, 12:20:52 PM
Marilyn Manson
:shock: :lol: :merde: :cobain:
Marilyn Manson sucks ass hard, but that old Spooky Kids shit i fucking love!!! and keep in mind that was a long time ago
I found out about them through Nirvana (oh, how original), looked them up on Youtube and listened to "The Talking Horse" and "A History of Bad Men". Been hooked ever since, my first album that I got from them was Ozma/Gluey Porch Treatments, and it was at that point that I really got in to them.
I inherited (stole) my older brother's Melvins cassette collection when
he went off to college in the early 90's. I've been a believer ever since.
Quote from: JUDY on December 06, 2012, 12:48:05 PM
A long time ago. At your mom's house.
Melvins stole my soul and have been my favorite band ever since.
MELVINS stole your soul at my mom's place? that bitch! what the hell has she been keeping from her baby boy?!?
Too long ago to remember. Probably 22ish years ago, and I'm sure Glen was involved.
Quote from: spunkmonkey on December 06, 2012, 03:30:30 PM
Too long ago to remember. Probably 22ish years ago, and I'm sure Glen was involved.
:shock:
Oh, that's a relief. We're in the Melvins section. I thought this was the 'when did you lose your virginity' thread. :oops:
I was a huge Mr Bungle/Mike Patton fan.. Bought the first Fantomas album, it blew my mind. I look at the line up and the only member of the four I didn't know was Buzz.. I realize he is from that band that I had heard about (But never heard) for years I picked up a few albums and was Immediately in love.. Then I saw them live and was totally obsessed
Similar story. I got into Bungle in college. Then I heard Patton was guesting on an album by a band called the melvins. I've said it before and I'll say it again: cynical demographic cross-marketing is the voodoo magic of consumption-based capitalism!
Mr. Bungle -> Fantomas -> Gluey Porch Treatments -> Melvins live w/ Mudhoney opening -> Melvins Addict
My group of friends had been waiting for the new Nirvana record for what had seemed like an eternity, so on the day In Utero came out we all skipped school went down to the river bottom and took mushrooms, drank beer, smoked pot, and listened to it. Somebody had bought Houdini and by the time we cranked that on somebody's car stereo everybody had a pretty good buzz going. As soon as I heard Hooch I knew I had found the perfect band. Heavy, but so not stoopid. Night Goat only confirmed it, Melvins slayed us all. Then the cops came and through my buddy who was right fucked on shrooms in jail for having warrants. He is the only one who never got into Snivlem.
Quote from: jules on December 06, 2012, 03:52:55 PM
Quote from: spunkmonkey on December 06, 2012, 03:30:30 PM
Too long ago to remember. Probably 22ish years ago, and I'm sure Glen was involved.
:shock:
Oh, that's a relief. We're in the Melvins section. I thought this was the 'when did you lose your virginity' thread. :oops:
LOL
We found them after the cartoons.
OZma of OZ and Gluey Porch Treatments on ONE
Always enjoyed the letters of L. Frank Baum and so was naturally inclined to pick up the ............ for a spin on the machine. It sounded like
monkey
from heaven
sexual contortion
the glory
beyond death even
a thousand petaled flower in the .... of a skull
Happy Good Times With Karla and Petunia
pleasure cylinders rotating the right way
NEVER LOOKED BACK!
In the war the Melvins served me well :|
Quote from: Ham Sandwich on December 08, 2012, 10:27:13 AM
We found them after the cartoons.
OZma of OZ and Gluey Porch Treatments on ONE
Always enjoyed the letters of L. Frank Baum and so was naturally inclined to pick up the ............ for a spin on the machine. It sounded like
monkey
from heaven
sexual contortion
the glory
beyond death even
a thousand petaled flower in the .... of a skull
Happy Good Times With Karla and Petunia
pleasure cylinders rotating the right way
NEVER LOOKED BACK!
In the war the Melvins served me well :|
:-k
Quote from: Ham Sandwich on December 08, 2012, 10:27:13 AM
We found them after the cartoons.
OZma of OZ and Gluey Porch Treatments on ONE
Always enjoyed the letters of L. Frank Baum and so was naturally inclined to pick up the ............ for a spin on the machine. It sounded like
monkey
from heaven
sexual contortion
the glory
beyond death even
a thousand petaled flower in the .... of a skull
Happy Good Times With Karla and Petunia
pleasure cylinders rotating the right way
NEVER LOOKED BACK!
In the war the Melvins served me well :|
(http://lauradonovan.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/tumblr_kuzt8tdxtf1qat25fo1_250.jpg)
Quote from: Luciditypro on December 08, 2012, 12:49:32 PM
Quote from: Ham Sandwich on December 08, 2012, 10:27:13 AM
We found them after the cartoons.
OZma of OZ and Gluey Porch Treatments on ONE
Always enjoyed the letters of L. Frank Baum and so was naturally inclined to pick up the ............ for a spin on the machine. It sounded like
monkey
from heaven
sexual contortion
the glory
beyond death even
a thousand petaled flower in the .... of a skull
Happy Good Times With Karla and Petunia
pleasure cylinders rotating the right way
NEVER LOOKED BACK!
In the war the Melvins served me well :|
(http://lauradonovan.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/tumblr_kuzt8tdxtf1qat25fo1_250.jpg)
Classic movie :lol:
Quote from: jules on December 06, 2012, 02:38:47 AM
Quote from: Schnabster on December 06, 2012, 02:29:01 AM
knowing that this music was IT, this was what I had been looking for in my quest.
Exactly this!
Yup. same man...just randomly Caught mombius Hibachi video one night while channel surfing and was instantly obsessed.
Quote from: Ham Sandwich on December 08, 2012, 10:27:13 AM
We found them after the cartoons.
OZma of OZ and Gluey Porch Treatments on ONE
Always enjoyed the letters of L. Frank Baum and so was naturally inclined to pick up the ............ for a spin on the machine. It sounded like
monkey
from heaven
sexual contortion
the glory
beyond death even
a thousand petaled flower in the .... of a skull
Happy Good Times With Karla and Petunia
pleasure cylinders rotating the right way
NEVER LOOKED BACK!
In the war the Melvins served me well :|
This is very Melvinsesque.. You should start ghost writing for Buzz
Quote from: jonE5 on December 10, 2012, 10:24:25 AM
Quote from: Ham Sandwich on December 08, 2012, 10:27:13 AM
We found them after the cartoons.
OZma of OZ and Gluey Porch Treatments on ONE
Always enjoyed the letters of L. Frank Baum and so was naturally inclined to pick up the ............ for a spin on the machine. It sounded like
monkey
from heaven
sexual contortion
the glory
beyond death even
a thousand petaled flower in the .... of a skull
Happy Good Times With Karla and Petunia
pleasure cylinders rotating the right way
NEVER LOOKED BACK!
In the war the Melvins served me well :|
This is very Melvinsesque.. You should start ghost writing for Buzz
What if Hammy really is Buzz????
I think my first run in with them was in around 91 or 92, via an Ozma cassette I can't remember how I acquired (boy howdy do I wish I'd held onto that one). I'd heard of them prior to this, but never bothered to check them out. Unlike many, I can't say I was instantly hooked. I chalked them up to "decent band, didn't make me lose sleep for repeat listens."
I was re-introduced a few years later, maybe 93ish(?) when living with spunkmonkey and a bunch of other miscreants near the end of college. Houdini was somehow in pretty regular rotation at the house as we did stupid college shit. I don't remember who was responsible for this, but I agree with spunkmonkey -- glen was likely involved somehow. I grew to like this album quite a bit, but they still didn't crack my "follow obsessively" list.
Then later, as an "adult," I saw that they'd been signed to Ipecac. Being a fan of underdog stories, their music and Mike Patton, I thought to myself "wow, that's great. they never should've signed to a major." Later, I picked up The Maggot and loved it.
Then kinda forgot about them again.
Then I found out in 2006 that my technophobic friends glen and spunkmonkey had actually joined a BBS on the (gasp!) internet. So I came here to harass them. I've been here ever since. I listen to the Melvins about once per month, still, and have caught probably 75% of their shows here since moving to SF. They're a slow burn, or like a wart that just won't go away for me. And I hope they never do go away. I'm definitely a fan, but not a fanboy.
i remember playing tony hawks undergound 2 when i was like 10 and sweet willy rollbar was on the soundtrack it was heavy as fuck and i loved the vocals after that the rest was history
that was about 7 years ago if i remember correctly
In addition to my previous story, I remember sending Brain Center at Whipples to a friend in 2005. Apparently when I was first getting into the Melvins I sent these quotes to a friend of mine because I thought they were awesome. :D (I'm not sure why there's typos. I think the website acted weird when I tried to copy the text)
(Talking about Fantomas) "I dont think its that weird myself, but
compared to the rest of the world of music, its definately out there,"
Buzz considers as he circles my body picking up cruel looking tools
with interest,"Its only because people dont have a very good idea what
weird is. They're just basically shown things and are led by the hand
to very easily consumed products, and i haven't been part of that
world in a long time. I've either been doing strange music or
listening to strange music for well over twenty years, my sense of
normalcy is much differnt to the rest of the world!"
He laughs appreciatively."I've gotten shit from people about every
single record i've ever done, i've never been involved in a record
that was universally accepted, even by my own fans. It doesnt suprise
me, none of that suprises me."
"The competion in the music field at the moment isn't very great. Who
are we up against? Godsmack, or some of those other god awful nu-metal
bands. We're doing a U.S tour, part of which is supporting Tool. Tool
are great, they're one of the few bands that we would actually take a
support spot for. Lots of bands have offered us those kinds of deals,
and none of them have ever come through. Everybody from The Deftones
to Limp Bizkit to Prdigy, none of which have panned out. They either
didn't want to pay us the money, or they never called us back again. I
don't give a shit, it's par for the course with dumb asses like that.
Does it suprise you when somebody like Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit
does something stupid? He's not capable of anything else. Although I
have to say, I think that that solo record of that guitar player is
pretty damn good. It's wacky, it's really fucking weird. It gives me
hope. Not for Fred. Believe me, if I was them and I had that kind of
bread I would have been out of there a long time ago."
Haha! Maybe you guys will listen to Buzz instead of me...
Big Dumb Face - Duke Lion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd3Y4o95ObU#)
Quote from: sadcorps on December 05, 2012, 10:22:58 PM
I went to go see D.R.I. at the Crescent Ballroom in Tacoma Washington in May of 1987. Melvins were the first band on the bill along with Poison Idea. They each wore a different color Star Trek shirt. They blew my mind. Shortly after that I picked up the Deep Six compilation and wore the record out.
that was a wild night
Quote from: Kolonel Kurtz Kobain on December 12, 2012, 01:09:45 AM
Quote from: sadcorps on December 05, 2012, 10:22:58 PM
I went to go see D.R.I. at the Crescent Ballroom in Tacoma Washington in May of 1987. Melvins were the first band on the bill along with Poison Idea. They each wore a different color Star Trek shirt. They blew my mind. Shortly after that I picked up the Deep Six compilation and wore the record out.
that was a wild night
It certainly set me on a proper path through life. A few weeks later I was at the Tacoma Mall with my dad and I saw the Melvins walking around (they must have had a gig and were killing time) - I pointed them out to my dad and was all excited "Holy crap! It's the Melvins!!". I don't think he was too impressed.
Now he likes watching Buzz on Red Eye.
We had road tripped to Austin to see Ed Hall, I was a big fan of theirs (still am). First time I saw the Melvins, Ed Hall was opening for them in 1990. I had never heard of the Melvins before that night. They were ok and I saw them a few times over the following years. Was not until Stag came out I became a real fan.
I live in the SF Bay area. In the 80-90s, my favorite band was the Butthole Surfers. They started out playing warehouses and small clubs around town and slowly built up to playing the Greek Theater. The early days with the Butts were riot good. Everyone would drop acid, they would bang this cymbal filled with lighter fluid and huge flames would shoot up. Naked dancers would grind and pretend to have sex on stage. all the while playing this grimy psychedelic rock, it was kinda like the circus came to town, but there was also an air of danger at the shows.dangerous clowns I guess was the thing. anything could happen. after some unbelievable great shows the band seemed to collapse. that was a bit of a disappointment for me. they stopped touring for a while.
I was looking for another great rock show to get into when I started going to the Ipecac Showcase at GAMH. the first one was Mike Patton, Isis, the Melvins. I had heard a buzz about the Melvins by this time but that was about it. There was a lot of great music that night but when Buzz got up and started shaking his head and playing insane on the guitar, that was it, I was hooked.
I have not missed at show in SF since.
PART 2
For some reason I kinda responded to all the merch as well, the iconography, I loved all the posters and shirts. The Book. they spoke to me as well as the music.
The little girls might not get it but the old men the understand, etc
Hummmm. It's goes back a bit. I grew up as a teenager in Los Angeles. Very active in the Hollywood club scene from '72 - '78. I played substitute bass for several of my friends punk bands back then, but am really more of an Artist than a Musician. No discipline as a Musician, with a story common to Lori's. For me Punk was over in '78. I was drugged-out, burned-out and very sick of any scene. I decided to return to college in '80. When I first heard Melvins, I just thought they were a big rip-off of a scene that was now dead to me. Never liked a single grunge act at all!! I have been a vinyl-junkie for 40+ years. After being given a promo copy of OZMA (I still have it), I had a chance to see them, and then another down in San Diego in '90. I loved OZMA from the start, but when I saw them play live is when it clinched the deal!! I have also collected Velvet Underground since about '72. When they covered and totally destroyed "Venus in Furs," I was just flipping out about them. "Venus in Furs" is one of my favorite songs ever.
I have had my ups and downs with Melvins. To me, they really needed the fresh start with the boys from "Big Business." In fact, I recently had the opportunity to tell Cody how much I appreciated him joining the band!! "(a) Senile Animal" is one of my favorite Melvins wreckords. When people ask me what my favorite period is, it's right here, right now! As an Artist and wreckord collector, things have never been better. The stuff that they put out now is off-the-hook!! To see them live is a fukin' religious experience as well. What could be better than two drummers and two good vocalists?? It's just a huge wave of RAWK!! They have never been more popular either. I sincerely wish I had bought every cut-out copy of Stag, Stoner Witch, and even Houdini I ever saw. I could take several months off work selling those!!
In essence, if you're a recent fan, this is it man!!
I just realized that I failed to mention how I feel about Melvins Lite. I played cello in grade school and like I said, bass later. It's some of the most interesting musick they have ever done. I had the same reaction seeing them live. It's off-the-hook crazy good shit!! From everything I have read on the BBS, It's pretty much the same reaction from the fans.
Was introduced to gluey on vinyl by carl of his hero is gone in 1989. Saw them headline in Nashville march 30, 1990. After that, it was on!
First time was when they opened for Husker Du in 1985 at Gorilla Gardens. Can't remember who else played this show, but Melvins made a bigger impression than Husker Du. Hooked ever since.
Sorry to zombify the thread
Columbia House cassette club, 1993. I needed to pick a handful of cassettes to begin the club membership, and I was out of ideas on stuff I liked at the time (about 1993 or so). Saw the Melvins, ordered it. I wasn't familiar with them at all.
After I got my tapes, it became my favorite of that order. Shortly after I saw Hooch on 120 Minutes, or maybe Headbanger's Ball. And from there it spiraled out of control, by my standards.
Quote from: Mortytoad on March 16, 2013, 02:52:01 PM
First time was when they opened for Husker Du in 1985 at Gorilla Gardens. Can't remember who else played this show, but Melvins made a bigger impression than Husker Du. Hooked ever since.
You're not the first person I've heard talk about this show. Or talk about how Melvins blew Husker Du off the stage.
Hum... I think the first time was when I discovered the "stoner rock" genre. I already heard about King Buzzo because of Nirvana, but at the moment I was not really into grunge and I never gave the Melvins a listen. One day in a record store, I found the album "STONER witch".... and yes I took it only for the name haha !
And I listened to "At The Stake". Nothing to add, isn't it ?
The first time I heard Queen. I was like 14. Fucking changed my life.