Melvins

The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1982. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members. They are considered one of the godfathers of grunge music and sludge metal. The band was named after a supervisor at a Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne al... more

The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1982. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members. They are considered one of the godfathers of grunge music and sludge metal. The band was named after a supervisor at a Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne also worked as a clerk. "Melvin" was greatly despised by other employees, and the band's members felt it to be an appropriately ridiculous name. Originally formed as a hardcore punk band, Melvins' music is influenced by Black Flag's mix of punk and metal on their album My War, and other slow punk acts like Swans and Flipper; however, their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. Osborne has also stated that his guitar playing is more influenced by Black Flag than Black Sabbath, whom... less