Krist Novoselic: We All Owe Something to The Melvins
Krist Novoselic's column runs every Tuesday on the Daily Weekly. Listen to an mp3 of The Melvins' Buzz Osborne, Dave Groh, and Novoselic at The Crocodile in 1992.
Going on twenty five years as a band, The Melvins' new album, Nude With Boots, shows them stronger than ever. I want to tell you a little about my experience with the Melvins and how their new record rocks!
I first met Buzz in 1983. I was working at a Taco Bell when he and Matt Lukin stopped in to say hello to my co-worker, Bill. Bill had been expelled from Aberdeen High for setting off a pipe bomb. He was school mates with Buzz and Matt at nearby Montesano High.
Our two visitors were dressed differently than typical teenagers of the era - Buzz had on an old overcoat and Matt wore tattered flannel with heavy metal cheese grater wristbands.
I was aware of the first wave of punk from the late 1970's, but it was the Melvins who introduced me to American Hardcore.
Buzz lent me records by Black Flag, Flipper, Butthole Surfers and Minor Threat. I was enthusiastic about this whole new world of music. And Buzz was happy to share with someone who didn't reject the music outright only because it was punk rock. Most hated this punk for little reason other than it was somehow bad, weird, and wrong in their minds.
The Melvins drummer, Mike Dillard, had personal obligations and quit. I knew this amazing drummer named Dale who was about three grades behind me in school. I took Buzz over to Dale's and introduced the two. They started jamming and hit it off.
Dale's parents were supportive and let the Melvins rehearse in the back room. You could hear the loud music from blocks away. This naturally attracted all kinds of kids, and Dale's back porch became a hang out. There was this one kid named Kurt who went on to start another well known band from Aberdeen.
The Melvins were playing shows around western Washington, and there was an opportunity for them to go on tour. Dale went to the school guidance councilor asking for advice about touring. They looked at his grades. He had three music classes with straight A's. In the other classes I think he had D's -if that. The councilor told him to go for the tour!
I went on a tour with the Melvins through Nevada and California. (I snapped the photo on their first 7 inch single.)
Everyone eventually left Aberdeen. Matt joined Mudhoney. Buzz and Dale relocated to San Francisco.
By 1988, Seattle's Grunge Rock scene started to happen. Even though they had left Washington, the Melvins had left their mark as the first Grunge band. Every Seattle band of the late '80s owes a little something to the Melvins - a band that slowed down the tempo and played sludgy riffs.
In 1990, Kurt Cobain and I were driving back from Los Angeles to Washington. We took the opportunity to stop by San Francisco and see our pals in the Melvins, and mentioned that we were without a drummer.
Scream were playing in North Beach and we all went to the show. Buzz said we had to see their excellent drummer. Scream played a great set and we met the band. Buzz introduced us to their drummer, David Grohl.
The Melvins have always stayed true to their vision of rock. It's sophisticated metal but there was a lot of schooling in Punk. And it shows. They can really get out there, but there's a complex method to the madness.
My current favorite CD is Nude With Boots. It's one of those records that I have to listen to every day.
The song craft is solid throughout. The record starts with "The Kicking Machine" that's driven by a big guitar riff. "Billy Fish" is a great song. I first heard it at a Melvins sound check in London. It's just one of those tunes that sticks out instantly.
They seem to conjure Ennio Morricone with the tune "Dies Iraea". (And the Melvins can bust out a mean live cover of Morricone's "Magic and Ecstasy" from Exorcist Two: The Heretic.)
On Nude With Boots, The Melvins have some special help. Coady Willis and Jared Warren from the Washington State band Big Business contribute the bass and another drum set.
When I say another drum set, I mean Coady and Dale play in tandem. I got to see this combination on the Melvins / Flipper tour of the UK and Ireland in 2007. These are not two stand-alone drum kits: the drummers are integrated in sync with a colossal kit unlike I've ever seen.
I've played with Crover and his drumming appears on the first Nirvana record, Bleach. He's a heavy hitter, and with Coady at his side, it's like a beast that walks the earth.
Buzz's guitar sound on Nude is a little cleaner than previous records. I can hear KISS in the tone. Buzz had an old sunburst Les Paul ever since I met him with the sticker that came with the KISS record Rock n Roll Over pasted just below the bridge. Listening to Nude I can imagine what KISS would have sounded like after Destroyer if they went for a darker vibe.
But the Melvins are unique unto themselves. They have their own sound and vision for how to rock the world. Nude With Boots is a good listen from beginning to end. It's good to see heavy rock enduring in the 21st Century.
17 comment(s)
Zee phrangle says:
What I remember about the Dale, Buzz and the Aberdeen crew was that they were hardcore 'anti-commercial,' except for one kid who wanted to be a rock star but didn't want anyone Melvin-ish to know...
Dale was the 'cool' music one and i remember Buzz as having heart.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 11:23AM
Charlie says:
I do like the Melvins and its good to see them still around. They haven't lost touch which I think is great too.
And Dale Crover is a terrific drummer on par with your man Grohl.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 12:38PM
Charlie says:
I do like the Melvins and its good to see them still around. They haven't lost touch which I think is great too.
And Dale Crover is a terrific drummer on par with your man Grohl.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 12:38PM
Charlie says:
I do like the Melvins and its good to see them still around. They haven't lost touch which I think is great too.
And Dale Crover is a terrific drummer on par with your man Grohl.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 12:39PM
Kat says:
It's rediculous how people react to some types of music. If it's not your type of music, then don't listen to it! Plain and simple. But anyway...so that's how you met Dave Grohl...I just saw his show on TV Saturday night. That was the happiest I've ever seen him. But then again he did say that was the best day of his life, so it makes sense.
Great blogs, I look forward to reading them every Tuesday!
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 1:07PM
Andrew C says:
I have wanted to mention this to for soooo long:
I have seen the Melvins over 30 times now (i lost count)and the very very best Melvins moment involves you, Krist. Years ago i went like five Melvins shows in three days. This is right before the trilogy was released. The last of which Krist went on stage to join Buzz, Dale and Adam Jones (from TOOL) to play the last song before the closing of the Velvet Elvis in Seattle. I had been bugging Buzz to play Sacrifice by Flipper every time I saw him for months.
He caved and Krist, Buzz, Dale and Adam played Sacrifice, and it ruled so so much. I think it may have been my favorite music moment of my life.
If anyone out there has never heard Sacrifice by Flipper and has not heard Melvins cover of it, you need to, now.
Thanks for that moment of radness, Krist. It ruled.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 1:11PM
Andrew C says:
I have wanted to mention this to for soooo long:
I have seen the Melvins over 30 times now (i lost count)and the very very best Melvins moment involves you, Krist. Years ago i went like five Melvins shows in three days. This is right before the trilogy was released. The last of which Krist went on stage to join Buzz, Dale and Adam Jones (from TOOL) to play the last song before the closing of the Velvet Elvis in Seattle. I had been bugging Buzz to play Sacrifice by Flipper every time I saw him for months.
He caved and Krist, Buzz, Dale and Adam played Sacrifice, and it ruled so so much. I think it may have been my favorite music moment of my life.
If anyone out there has never heard Sacrifice by Flipper and has not heard Melvins cover of it, you need to, now.
Thanks for that moment of radness, Krist. It ruled.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 1:12PM
Greg B says:
I really like the Melvins and it's great that they have a new CD out. I'm curious as to what new bands you have been listening to Krist. I feel like I can only listen to bands from the late 80s and early 90s, all the new bands seem like no-passion image-obsessed gutless music! Radio stations are no help either, I called the local alternative station last week to request a Breeders song and they laughed at me.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 1:15PM
andrew says:
Krist, thanks for the commentary and Mp3. It's always a pleasure to read your articles. You make Tuesdays better.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 3:21PM
andrew mcnicholas says:
i agree with you krist its still so awesome to see you enjoying music from a band that youve always genuinely loved. I saw them live in philadelphia twice and they are probably one of the best live bands i have ever seen im very thankful that they still playin and i got to see them... hopefully heavy rock music can take over the 21st century because it seems to be one of the purest forms of music.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 @ 7:32PM
Paul says:
WHEN ARE THE MELVINS OR FLIPPER GOING TO TOUR THE UK? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHEN ARE YOU ALL COMING BACK TO SCOTLAND (God's Country)?
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 21 2009 @ 6:39AM
Jared says:
Enough Said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BreiiWmrRQs
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 9:18AM
Kroms says:
I love Melvins. I just keep on wishing that someone from my generation would come up with a sound that unique and actually good. Almost everything today is either a blatant rip-off of a previous generation of singers, or something that's just, well, messy and with no focus. At least with Black Flag or Melvins you hear what's going on under there. Wish I knew any really, really good bands from today.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 5:14PM
PookieSnookums says:
I agree that fantastic bands of today are few and far between. Krist and other favorites sometimes get out and make things happen, But Krist is right (more mp3's and how about sharing some of those vids???). The industry has changed. One rare exception is Floater from Portland (playing this Feb at the Showbox) Like you say Krist, they owe homage to the Melvins for the doors that were opened long ago. Floater was my first time in a mosh pit. They are unique. Check them out www.floater.com They have not made major label, but it is not from a lack of quality.
Part of me wishes the funky monkey or some other huge station would pick them up and play them all the time. but then again, I love that occasionally I get to actually buy them a drink at the bar when they play Seattle.
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 25 2009 @ 2:07PM
jim says:
i would like to see a article on your response to greg sage and the wipers,because u liked them alot i heard
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 29 2009 @ 11:26PM
Gerrit Sparks says:
I really love their new album, and I'm ever gratefull for The Melvins still being around!
Most new bands suck now these days... anyway can't wait to read the next blog.
greetings from Norway.
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 31 2009 @ 5:15PM
dennis mcgiven says:
it was you krist and edis who accually turned me on to the melvins,after meeting them with you in pedro back in 84-85
at your uncles,i was curious to thier sound.after which i had become a beleiver of melvinism,and just as recent as 2 months ago touring with the fantomas,a special treat a few one off melvins shows in australia ,proved that buzzo and dale still have an infinity ,buzz still is amazing and dale is a frikin madman ,thank you melvins for shaping things i hold dear in my own mussings and songcrafting, respect... and when ever your in San Pedro, come see the new studio by the warner grand...www.jimestudios.com peace mr.Dennis Mcgivern
Posted On: Friday, Feb. 20 2009 @ 1:59AM