King Buzzo Shares some Words of Wisdom
The Melvins: King Buzzo Shares some Words of Wisdom
If you're a fan of the rock 'n' roll music of the last 20 years, chances are you enjoy at least one band indirectly influenced by Aberdeen's Melvins. Their genre-bridging combo of punk's raw/weird aesthetic and Sabbath's low-end heaviosity formed the so-called 'alternative' rock of the '80s and '90s, while their iconoclastic approach to music and noise-drenched live shows continue to influence the modern noise, sludge and stoner rock scenes. They've made a career out of some of the weirder, heavier music to hit rooms in the U.S., and kept it coming loud and angry.
Recently, up-and-coming Seattle duo Big Business'who have their own growing legion of fans and an impressive rock 'n' roll resume to their own credit'have joined the Melvins' cadre, expanding the band from a two to four-piece, joining them on tour and the road.
I shared some words with King Buzzo, singer and mastermind behind the Melvins' years of thick rock, and this is some of what he had to say.
WU: So, it's been over 20 years. To what do you attribute that longevity, and did you expect to be as relevant and popular as ever at this point in your career?
Buzz: I expected very little at the beginning. I guess our love of playing music is the only thing that's kept us going. Right now I'm into our new record and playing with the Big Business guys, other than that who knows. Are we relevant? Are we popular? Ask some dope at a Pearl Jam show those questions and see what kind of answers you get.
WU: Are you sick of questions like that? And if that's the case, are you A) less or B) more sick of questions like that or questions about 'grunge'?
Buzz: At this point I couldn't be bothered being sick. It is what it is, I have no control over that. I'm happy people are interested in what we are doing and beyond that I feel it's the journalists job to think up interesting questions or do their homework as far as the history of our band goes. Most of them do nothing at all or stick to the age old who, what, when, and where jive that they learn in 'journalist school 101'. Wow, I'm impressed. I guess my favorite interviews are the weirdest ones. If I want history I can find that about almost anything inside of two minutes on-line. Everyone knows this.
WU: What's in the near future for the Melvins, tour and recording wise?
Buzz: Well we just finished our new album (A) Senile Animal and we hit the road on September 5 for a three-month tour of the United States.
WU: You guys have sort of absorbed Big Business. Is this just for live shows, or
are you writing a record together? Also, how does this affect both the
personal and sonic dynamic?
Buzz: We did the new album with these guys and it turned out great. We've played with a lot of people over the years and it's always different, but I kind of like that. It's like starting over every time. The two drummer thing is pretty neat so we are doing a lot with that in mind.
WU: What's your favorite Melvins record?
Buzz: I'd say it's not just one. I'd say TODAY I could pick five. (A) Senile Animal, COD, Pigs of the Roman Empire, The Bootlicker and Eggnog.
WU: What's your favorite non-Melvins record (or two or seven)?
Buzz: ZZ Top's Tres Hombres, Butthole Surfers' Another Mans Sack, and The Stooges' Funhouse.
WU: Any words of advice or inspiration for 'the kids' who might be looking to
start up their own sorts of musical chaos?
Buzz: Take some advanced psychology classes because everyone you will meet in the music industry is totally insane. Try to do something fucked up and don't be afraid to look stupid. Pretend you know things you don't. Remember, you're not going to 'make it' and operate as such. Make that your motto. If you know you won't 'make it' and something better than that happens than you can be pleasantly surprised. It's flawless.