What I do and do not like about BB Melvins

[Like Stee]

"why they hell didn't they hire Trevor Dunn after they fired Kevin?"

I think it has mostly to do with location. Dunn lives in New York whereas Big Business now live in LA. I could imagine there would be quite a bit of logistical problems if Dunn was the full time bassist. I like that they're starting to do these one-off shows with Dunn, Melvins '84 and as a duo in addition to the f0ur piece. It gives everyone the opportunity to hear different aspects of the band's sound.

I think they wanted to have Trevor, but the reality of his schedule was more of a hurdle than location.  Between Trio Convulsant, Mad Love, John Zorn, Fantomas, and the various other Jazz gigs he does, he doesn't have time to be in the Melvins.

As far as the current line-up goes, I really am enjoying this direction they've taken but I certainly wouldn't want them to churn out 10 more albums that sound like NWB and ASA, it would get boring. I think you should stick with this version of the Melvins until the next album. I remember an interview with Buzz where he said the next album is going to sound completely different. Maybe it'll be more suited to your tastes. I just hope that Toshi takes a different approach to his engineering if he does the next album. He's definitely a knowledgeable engineer but I think his sound is a bit flat.

Agreed.  The drums don't sound as big and boomy on any of the recent records as say Lysol...

[Like Stee]

agreed,  to various extents.

big biz brought a youthful/mischeivous sense of humor to MELVINS that didn't show through before.  plus I think adding another drummer was an attempt by MELVINS to continue their experimental/trailblazing ways.  its worked... to some extent. 

the probs I have are:  the MELVINS/Big Business combo is still feeling each other out.  seems like they are just now getting that spontaneous feel.  tje last 3 years has had (live show at least) a very predetermined and mechanical feel.    also, I'm thinking if Big Biz had joined immediately after mark D it would have jived a whole lot better.  trying to live in a post-kevin world leaves you with a somewhat hollow feeling.  kevin brought something to the table. something special.   too bad he fucked it up.

in summary:  The Trilogy and HAT are better albums than (A)SA or Nude With Boots.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I also think that the main reason they don't sound as spontaneous and loose in a live setting is that with two drummers everything HAS to be planned out down to the last hi-hat beat so they stay in perfect synch.

[Smellis]

agreed,  to various extents.

big biz brought a youthful/mischeivous sense of humor to MELVINS that didn't show through before.  plus I think adding another drummer was an attempt by MELVINS to continue their experimental/trailblazing ways.  its worked... to some extent. 

the probs I have are:  the MELVINS/Big Business combo is still feeling each other out.  seems like they are just now getting that spontaneous feel.  tje last 3 years has had (live show at least) a very predetermined and mechanical feel.    also, I'm thinking if Big Biz had joined immediately after mark D it would have jived a whole lot better.  trying to live in a post-kevin world leaves you with a somewhat hollow feeling.  kevin brought something to the table. something special.   too bad he fucked it up.

in summary:  The Trilogy and HAT are better albums than (A)SA or Nude With Boots.

You're just pissed 'cause they keep playing Civilized Worm over and over HA HA!!     

[glen]

I also think that the main reason they don't sound as spontaneous and loose in a live setting is that with two drummers everything HAS to be planned out down to the last hi-hat beat so they stay in perfect synch.

here is my next question:  why, oh why do the drummers have to be in perfect synch at all times?
why can't they play off each other?  why can't they do change-offs, etc.?

why?   I'll tell you why and you better listen good.

becuase when you've only played with someone for a brief time you don't quite have a grip on their tendencies.  you need to know what the other guy is going to do and be able to anticipate how he's going to react to what you're doing.   dale and coady need to spend more time jamming.

and here, in turn, is my next question, SMELLIS!  since you're so smart:

if the day comes that big business parts ways with MELVINS will we never ever again hear "civilized worm" like we will never again hear "the fool, the meddling idiot" post-kevin?

[Smellis]

Then you better enjoy the worm while we still have it he he!!  Jared could fuck himself up on smack at any moment!!!  The man is this close to becoming a raging fiend I tell 'ya............    

[Pelican]

if the day comes that big business parts ways with MELVINS will we never ever again hear "civilized worm" like we will never again hear "the fool, the meddling idiot" post-kevin?

This is the other thing that I've been wondering about, and actually does bother me some. Why has the Kevin-era of the band been all but ignored for the past few years? I know they've played Let It All Be and Boated Pope, but not much more. There is so much good material from when Kevin was in the band, I don't know why they aren't interested in playing that material. I think the current line up playing everything off The Maggot would be totally insane.

[kurva]

did I read something about BIG BIZ not being a weird band? are we talking about the same band??

[black stallion]

if the day comes that big business parts ways with MELVINS will we never ever again hear "civilized worm" like we will never again hear "the fool, the meddling idiot" post-kevin?

This is the other thing that I've been wondering about, and actually does bother me some. Why has the Kevin-era of the band been all but ignored for the past few years?

i think there is a problem with that stuff,it's called bass

[I am the Sun]

Also, as far as POTRE songs go, it's probably pretty tough to translate those songs to a live setting due to the extensive use of electronics and production techniques.

I do hope there comes a day where they play the whole thing live though

[Pelican]

i think there is a problem with that stuff,it's called bass

That makes sense for some of HAT, but what about The Maggot? I'm no bass player, but I'd think Jared could more than hold his own with the material on that album.

[black stallion]

i think there is a problem with that stuff,it's called bass

That makes sense for some of HAT, but what about The Maggot? I'm no bass player, but I'd think Jared could more than hold his own with the material on that album.

oops,you're right!i was speaking forgetting the trilogy.who knows why they don't use to play that stuff?maybe on the next tour they will play See How Pretty,See How Smart,or Manky

[norecess]

Hey! Didn't you just say you weren't a dreamer?

[dijk cheese]

dunno

[Pelican]

oops,you're right!i was speaking forgetting the trilogy.who knows why they don't use to play that stuff?maybe on the next tour they will play See How Pretty,See How Smart,or Manky

I'm praying! (actually I'm not, but I'm really hoping) It would be sick.

I also thought it was strange that the Kevin-era was totally ignored last Friday, in what seemed to otherwise be almost a greatest hits/retrospective of their entire career. I'd say (guess) that Trevor is more than capable of playing any of Kevin's work, which makes this whole ignoring of that period and body of work even more peculiar. I hope it is just a coincidence and some day that work will be played again.

[Dr.Benway]

I keep telling my self that I liked things better before BB, but I find my self listening to ASA a lot.  NWB just hasn't grown on me as a whole.  Oh, and Buzz saying the next album will be different than the last one is a "duh".  What album hasn't been?