Melvins

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The Melvins are an American sludge metal band that usually perform as a power trio. Singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover are constant members, but the band has seen several bass guitarists. They have occasionally added a guest or second guitarist for live performances. The band was named after a grocery clerk at a Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne also worked as a clerk.[7] "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, the Melvins' music is influenced by Black Flag's My War era punk rock, slow rock acts like Swans, and, most notably Black Sabbath-style metal; however, their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. King Buzzo has also stated that his guitar playing is more influenced by Black Flag than Black Sabbath They often favor very slow tempos, and their sludgy sound was a strong influence on grunge music, especially Nirvana, Soundgarden, and many other bands from Seattle. Their protegés, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound. The Melvins have also influenced many bands, including Tool,[8] who are personal friends with the band; Crowbar, Mastodon[9] and Eyehategod,[10] who participated in a Melvins tribute album, and Boris, who took their name from the title of a Melvins song.



The group has received mostly positive critical notice. Dale Crover's drumming has been especially praised; writer Patrick Kennedy describes his work as "astonishing, powerful, and daring."[11]



While the band has never found (and probably never sought) mainstream success, the Melvins have a dedicated cult following. They maintain an impressive schedule of new albums and tours, including two releases with former Dead Kennedys front man Jello Biafra. The band has been colloquially known as "Jelvins" during Biafra's tenure with the band.



In appreciation of their devoted fans, the Melvins have released various collectibles throughout the years. These have included two-headed dolls, the Melvins skateboard, The Melvins Fetus!, specially canned Melvins meat, a Zippo lighter, and myriad posters, t-shirts, and one-off fanzines.



The Melvins have been frequently praised by such alternative music legends as Kurt Cobain, Mike Patton, and John Zorn.



*The band has finished working on a new album entitled Nude With Boots which is slated for release in July 2008. Some of the recording sessions have been documented on a Japanese blog by Toshi Kasai.



It has been announced that in December 2008 along with Mike Patton, the Melvins will co-curate an edition of the All Tomorrow's Parties Nightmare Before Christmas festival. They will choose half of the lineup and also perform.