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Melvins

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grunge, stoner rock, sludge, rock, metalsee all

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United States (early '80s – present)

Melvins are an American rock band that, until the recent addition of the two members of Big Business, historically performed as a trio. They were formed in Montesano, Washington in the early ’80s. Their dark, heavy, oppressively slow sound made them innovators of genres like , and . Melvins’ music is influenced by Black Flag’s My War-era and Black Sabbath-style , but their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. Singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka “King Buzzo”) and drummer Dale Crover are constant members while several bass guitarists have cycled through the group. The band was named after a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne was employed. Melvin was the most-hated fellow employee and the band felt it to be an appropriate name. Like SF noisenik predecessors Flipper, their love of slow tempos and sludgy sound were a strong influence on music, especially Nirvana and many other bands from Seattle. Their protegés, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound.

Though the group has received mostly positive critical notice, Crover’s drumming has been especially praised; Patrick Kennedy describes his work as “astonishing, powerful, and daring.”

While never finding and most likely never even seeking great mainstream success, Melvins maintain an impressive schedule of new albums and tours, including a collaboration with Fantômas in The Fantômas Melvins Big Band and two releases with former Dead Kennedys front man Jello Biafra, and have a dedicated cult following.
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The Kicking Machine full track
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Billy Fish full track
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Queen full track
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Nude With Boots full track
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Dog Island full track
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Suicide In Progress full track
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The Smiling Cobra full track
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