Buzz Osborne Interview in VISIONS magazine

[bathroom creep]

I recently came across this interview with Buzzo in the German magazine "VISIONS". Unfortunately it was printed in German, so I had to translate it back to English etc, which sucked a bit. I tried my best though.


Green Day? Fuck that!

Tom Morello had a cameo appearance in "Iron Man", although you would fit better into a comic book adaptation.

Apparently no one wants to see me in the movies, although I love movies - especially action movies. Charles Bronson would be my biggest influence as an actor. But in fact I'm quite happy not to be an actor. It's not my job.

Nevertheless visual art plays an important role in the Melvins. You often have embellished your sound with odd music videos.

That's true. We even once put one of your VISIONS- writers in a pig costume.

That was Carsten la Tendresse, it's been a while.

Twelve years. At that time we realized that Germans lack the sense of sarcasm. Well, at least they don't have the same as Americans. So we took Carsten, removed the German humor from his brain and implanted a sense of sarcasm. Like aliens.

You never know when you guys are being serious.

See? You have much yet to learn! (laughter)

You once called Gregory Dark, the director of the clip for "Bar X-The Rocking M", a grandmaster of coincidence. How interesting are coincidences for the Melvins nowadays?

Very interesting. A big advantage is that you don't have to ask yourself all the time whether you thought of everything. We're open to all sorts of coincidences. You have to make room for some smaller mishaps, otherwise they don't happen.

Did something of that kind happen on your new album?

I'd say yes, but I can't remember where exactly something happened. I know for sure that we're extremely happy with it.

Vocals have never been as important as on "Nude With Boots". A mishap?

No. I can tell you that it was intended. We now have the proper personnel to do something like this.

How do you communicate via the music? Journalists often fail at trying to do so.

It is difficult. We've been together for over 24 years now, and the communication is so smooth that you don't really notice how it works anymore. Still it isn't easy, even at this point. My songs demand a lot from musicians, since I demand a lot from myself too.

You have two drummers now. Does this idea derive from the Fantomas Melvins Big Band era?

Well, maybe indirectly. Drumming is so important in our band that I sometimes think about it as much as about the rest. There's a lot more you can do with two drummers.

You're known for excessive touring, whereas other musicians of your age often moan about the constant travelling. For example Kerry King of Slayer.

Touring is the only thing that has always worked very well for us. Tours kept us alive and never disappointed. And Kerry King has always been an idiot.

Any advice for him, amongst Kings?

Play good shows! One third of our shows are totally amazing. One third is pretty good. And the last third pretty much sucks.

So how do you handle the last third?

We don't take it personally. Sometimes you have trouble with the gear or someone is sick. Then we just think of the other two thirds... or our good reputation! (laughter)

"Nude With Boots" is after "Houdini" the second album with a dog. Where does your obsession with puppies, children, swans, flowers and other cute things come from?

Well, our band is called Melvins, which sounds pretty uncommitted. A band called Slayer certainly doesn't play gay electropop, right? With Melvins, you never know what you get. We wanted to do this with the covers as well. At first sight they look friendly, but upon closer look you're not so sure anymore. As for dogs, they're man's best friend and treat us better than some people do.

Do you believe in the classification "cat person and dog person"?

I've heard of it. We have three dogs, which should clearly classify us. But the truth is, my wife is allergic to cat hairs.

At the beginning you were titled a punk band, later it was the prototype of grunge...

... and now they call it punk again, right? The Melvins stand for rock in its purest form. Rock minus crap. That's exactly what I liked about punk rock at that time. That's were our roots lie. Or call it Captain Beefheart crossed with Heavy Metal. However I don't know what to understand as punk rock these days anymore. Green Day? Then we're the Antichrist of punk. All this pop punk is ridiculous and annoying me. Fuck that! They have more in common with Bruce Springsteen than with bands like Crass.

When was the last time you were impressed by a band?

I love The Horrors, because I believe what they do. It's the best thing you can say about a musician: You believe him. Do I believe Green Day? No I don't.

When do you think has a band made it in the music business?

When they don't pay the rent anymore.

So you're judging by financial conditions? Then we need to talk about Green Day again.

Not only...but partly. It depends on what you do with the money. You can throw it out of the window for bullshit and drive through Hollywood in a Maserati. Or you can use it to be your own boss.

Why aren't you on the latest Venomous Concept album?

Unfortunately I didn't have time. Nevertheless everyone should buy the album! (laughter)
Speaking of time, I think we ought to stop now.

One last thing: At what age did you make peace with your hair?

Quite early already. When you realize that something can't be changed, you should soon start to be proud of it.

[glen]

The Horrors huh?

time to do some snooping.

[anaconda]

Theyre from the UK. Garage rock played by warlocks.

[Mad Arab]

Well, our band is called Melvins, which sounds pretty uncommitted. A band called Slayer certainly doesn't play gay electropop, right? With Melvins, you never know what you get.

[glen]

Theyre from the UK. Garage rock played by warlocks.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=28123580

they don't sound too bad.   cramps-ish.

[black stallion]

One last thing: At what age did you make peace with your hair?

Quite early already. When you realize that something can't be changed, you should soon start to be proud of it.

[ManWithNoName]

Thanks for taking the time to translate! 

[norecess]

Danke sch

[deatheats]

Danke sch

[GrimReaper]

Thanks for taking time to translate the interview for us. You did a good job and karma for you.

[Idlehanz]

Well done Creep. Thanks

[turnacus]

Danke sch

[bathroom creep]

Gern geschehen, Leute!

[JJ]

thanks for translating...that was a good read...  ++ Karma for you!

[Uncle Fester]

Mr.Creep.... I wanna shake your filthy hand.