Melvins
The Melvins are a four piece right now. The current members are...
- Buzz Osborne - guitar, vocals
- Dale Crover - drums, vocals
- Jared Warren - bass, vocals
- Coady Willis - drums, vocals
The Melvins formed in Aberdeen/Montesano, WA in 1983 the founding members were Buzz, Mike Dillard (drums), and ex-Mudhoney bassist Matt Lukin. Buzz, Mike, and Matt all went to high school in Montesano. The name Melvins came from a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano where King Buzzo served as clerk and vandal. Melvin was the most hated fellow employee and they felt it to be an appropriately ridiculous name.
When Mike couldn't cut it, as rumor has it because the songs were getting too mathematically complex, Dale was recruited out of the Iron Maiden cover band he played in at the age of 15. Matt was replaced by Lori Black (Lorax) (Shirley Temple's daughter) when they left Aberdeen for San Francisco.
The Melvins have had quite a few bass player changes during their tenure. Check out the Melvins Bassist Morgue to learn more. The Melvins live in Hollywood, CA right now.
The Melvins Discography is an exhaustive resource of their many releases. They were on a major label Atlantic Records for three albums, although most would agree they're not the type of band that would appeal to a major label. They are often quoted as knowing this while they were on the label and just took advantage of the drunken blitz the record companies were on in signing any band connected to a supposed Seattle "grunge" sound. Melvins have also released music on Ipecac Recordings, Boner Records, Alchemy Records, Amphetamine Reptile Records, Alternative Tentacles Records, and numerous others in the manner of 7"s and whatnot.
Buzz has a side project called Fantômas with Mike Patton (Faith No More/Mr. Bungle) who is also owner of Ipecac Recordings the label the melvins are currently releasing material through. He also played guitar in the hardcore/grind "supergroup" Venomous Concept, featuring members/former members of Napalm Death and Brutal Truth (also released through Ipecac).
Dale filled in for Nirvana when they were between drummers, he appears on Incesticide and Bleach as a result of those sessions. Dale has two major side projects one called Altamont in which he sings and plays guitar. The other he drums in and is known as PORN (The Men Of) or just PORN.
Melvins have toured with KISS, White Zombie, NIN, L7, Primus, Tool, and Rush, among others and were also on the Ozzfest tour in 98. They toured with a second guitarist at one point David Scott Stone (a great noisician). Former bassist Kevin Rutmanis (1998 - early 2005) used to be in the band Cows, he was also in another Mike Patton project along with Duane Denison of the Jesus Lizard called Tomahawk. If you ever get the chance to see them live be sure to give them gifts, they prefer Cracker Barrel gift certificates.
Songs which the Melvins have covered
A
Artist- The Accused Song- Reagan's War Puppets Album- (live, 1986) Artist- AC/DC Song- Sin City Album- (live, 1985) Artist- Allman Brothers Band Song- Whipping Post Album- (live, 2001) [NB: Dale sang some of the chorus after 'With Teeth'] Artist- The Angels (aka Angel City) Song- (I) Can't Shake It Album- Gearhead #8; split 7" with Cosmic Psychos
B
Artist- Joan Baez; Judas Preist Song- Diamonds and Rust Album- (live, 19??) Artist- The Beatles Song- I Want To Hold Your Hand Album- (live, 2004-05) Artist- The Beatles Song- Medley of 'I Am The Walrus'/'Revolution #9'... Album- WMPG Radio show, 1999 Artist- Black Flag Song- I've Got To Run Album- (live, 1992) Artist- Black Flag Song- Six Pack Album- (live, 1986) Artist- Black Sabbath Song- Symptom of the Universe Album- H.I.V. Groupie Hits (Melvins/Mudhoney split 7" bootleg) Artist- Black Sabbath Song- Into The Void Album- (live, 1993) Artist- Black Sabbath Song- Iron Man Album- (live, 1985-86; WMPG Radio show - 1999) Artist- Black Sabbath Song- Tommorrow's Dream Album- (live, 1986) Artist- Blue Cheer Song- Out Of Focus Album- (live, 199?) Artist- Blue Cheer Song- Parchment Farm (orig. by Mose Allison) Album- (live, 1992) Artist- Cher; Nancy Sinatra Song- Bang, Bang (orig. by Sonny Bono) Album- (live, 1985)
Artist- Butthole Surfers Song- Cherub Album- (live, 2000+)
C
Artist- John Cage Song- 4'33 Album- Shit Sandwich 7" Artist- The Cars Song- Candy-O Album- Ozma (CD version) Artist- The Cars Song- Just What I Needed Album- (live, 1991) Artist- The Champs Song- Tequila Album- (live - 2000 [NB: They opened every show on the tour with this song, as part of a bet] Artist- Cheap Trick Song- Surrender Album- (live, 19??) Artist- Clown Alley Song- Theme Album- Singles 1-12; Tanx/Tanks bootleg [Peel Session, 1990] Artist- Alice Cooper Song- Second Coming/Ballad of Dwight Fry Album- Lysol Artist- Alice Cooper Song- Halo Of Flies Album- (live, 2001+); Sieg Howdy [w-Jello Biafra] Artist- Alice Cooper Song- Return Of The Spiders Album- HAT Singles [NB: All instruments & vocals on this song are by Dale] Artist- The Cows Song- (I'm) Missing Album- Eletroretard
Artist- Cream Song- Deserted Cities of the Heart Album- (live; Houdini Live 2005: A Live History Of Gluttony And Lust)
D
Artist- Dead Kennedys Song- California Über Alles ['Kali-förnia Über Alles 21st Century (live)'] Album- live; Sieg Howdy [w-Jello Biafra]
Artist- Dead Kennedys Song- Chemical Warfare Album- (live, 2005 [w-Jello Biafra]) Artist- Dead Kennedys Song- Drug Me Album- (live, 2002 [w-Jello Biafra]) Artist- Dead Kennedys Song- Holiday In Cambodia Album- (live, 2002 [w-Jello Biafra])
Artist- Dead Kennedys Song- I Am The Owl Album- (live, 2002 [w-Jello Biafra]) Artist- Dead Kennedys Song- Life Sentence Album- (live, 2002 [w-Jello Biafra]) Artist- Dead Kennedys Song- Moon Over Marin Album- (live, 2002 [w-Jello Biafra])
F
Artist- Fleetwood Mac Song- The Green Manalishi (with The Two-Pronged Crown) Album- The Maggot Artist- Flipper Song- Sacrifice Album- Lysol Artist- Flipper Song- Love Canal Album- Love Canal/Someday 5" Artist- Flipper Song- Someday Album- Love Canal/Someday 5" Artist- Flipper Song- Way of the World Album- Singles 1-12; Tanx/Tanks bootleg [Peel Session, 1990]
G
Artist- The Germs Song- Lexicon Devil Album - A Small Circle of Friends (Tribute to the Germs); Lizzy CD Single; Singles 1-12 Artist- Green River Song- Leech Album- Gluey Porch Treatments; Singles 1-12; Tanx
Artist- Gun Club Song- Promise Me Album- HAT Singles
H
Artist- Merle Haggard Song- Okie From Muskogee Album- The Crybaby [w-Hank Williams III & Henry Bogdan]
J
Artist- Jesus Lizard Song- Blockbuster Album- The Crybaby [w-David Yow] Artist- Jesus Lizard Song- Chrome (a medley of two Chrome songs: "T.V. As Eyes" and "Abstract Nympho") Album- (live, 2005+ [w-David Yow])
K
Artist- Kiss
Song- Cold Gin
Album- (live, 1986)
Artist- Kiss
Song- Goin' Blind {'Going Blind']
Album- Houdini
Artist- Kiss
Song- God Of Thunder
Album- Hard To Believe: A Tribute To Kiss
Artist- Kiss
Song- Firehouse
Album- (live, 1986)
Artist- Kiss
Song- Makin' Love
Album- (live, 1985)
Artist- Kiss
Song- Living in Sin
Album- Ozma [NB: This is the intro to 'Creepy Smell']
Artist- Kiss
Song- Love Theme from Kiss ['Love Thing']
Album- Ozma
Artist- Kiss
Song- Rip It Out
Album- (live only, 1985-86)
Artist- Kiss
Song- She
Album- (live, 1992)
Artist- Kyuss
Song- Freedom Run
Album- (live, The Kennel Club, San Francisco, 7th May 1993)
L
Artist- Led Zepellin Song- Dazed & Confused Album- WRIU Radio Show Soundcheck, 1995 Artist- Lewd Song- Trash Can Baby Album- (live, 19??)
M
Artist- Malfunkshun Song- With Yo' Heart, Not Yo' Hands Album- With Yo' Heart, Not Yo' Hands 7"
Artist- March of Crimes Song- Soup Kitchen Album- (old live/rehearsal jam)
Artist- MC5 Song- Rocket Reducer #62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa) Album- Lizzy CD Single; Houdini LP Artist- MC5 Song- Poison Album- Singles 1-12; Wayne Kramer - The Hard Stuff Artist- Montrose Song- I've Got The Fire Album- (live, 1990)
Artist- Ennio Morricone Song- Magic & Ecstasy Album- (live, 19??) Artist- Mott The Hoople Song- Rock 'N' Roll Queen Album- (live, 1993) Artist- Mott The Hoople Song- Jerkin' Crokus Album- HAT Singles Artist- Mudhoney Song- Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More Album- Melvins/Steel Pole Bathtub split 7"/12"
N
Artist- Nirvana Song- Smells Like Teen Spirit Album- The Crybaby [w-Leif Garrett] Artist- Ted Nugent Song- Stranglehold Album- (live, 1994)
P
Artist- Pink Floyd Song- Interstellar Overdrive Album- Interstellar Overdrive 10"; Electroretard
Artist- Pink Floyd Song- The Nile Song Album- (live only - 1991) Artist- Pussy Galore Song- Adolescent Wet Dream Album- Night Goat 7"
R
Artist- The Ramones Song- Today, Your Love...Tomorrow, The World Album- HAT Singles Artist- Helen Reddy Song- I Am Woman Album- (live only - 198?) Artist- The Ronsons Song- Butcher Town Album- Sawed Off 7" [w-Pat Fear] Artist- The Ronsons Song- You'll Be Taken Care Of Album- Sawed Off 7" [w-Pat Fear]
Q
Artist- Queen Song- Now I'm Here Album- (live, 2000)
S
Artist- John Stafford Smith/Francis Scott Key Song- The Star-Spangled Banner Album- Star-Spangled Banner EP
Artist- The Sonics Song- Boss Hoss Album- split 7" w-Patton Oswalt
Artist- The Stooges Song- Down On The Street Album- (live, 19??) Artist- The Stooges Song- Loose Album- (live, 1985-92)
T
Artist- Throbbing Gristle Song- Dreammachine ['Track 5'] Album- In Formation: A Tribute to Throbbing Gristle Artist- (Traditional) Song- Amazing Grace Album- (live, 1997) [NB: This was hummed at the beginning of every show on this tour]
Artist- T-Rex Song- Buick MacKane Album- Great Jewish Music: Marc Bolan Tribute Artist- The Tubes Song- White Punks On Dope Album- HAT Singles [NB: They play this after 'Arny' but it's listed as the same track]
V
Artist- Velvet Underground Song- Venus In Furs Album- Melvins/Nirvana split 7"
Artist- The Ventures Song- Hawaii 5-0 Album- (live/rehearsal, 19??)
W
Artist- Warlock Pinchers Song- Arnie Album- HAT Singles
Artist- The Who Song- My Generation Album- (live, 2008/09 Tour) Artist- Hank Williams Song- Ramblin' Man Album- The Crybaby [w-Hank Williams III & Henry Bogdan]
Artist- Wesley Willis Song- Rock N' Roll McDonalds Album- (live, 2005 [w-Jello Biafra])
Artist- Wings Song- Let Me Roll It Album- (live, May 2009 - 25th Anniversary Tour) Artist- Wipers Song- Youth Of America Album- Electroretard
Y
Artist- Neil Young Song- Rockin' In The Free World Album- (live, 1990ish)
Z
Artist- ZZ Top Song- Nasty Dogs & Funky Kings Album- Singles 1-12 [Originally recorded live, 1994]