The Melvins have been making weird, dynamic, and brutal rock and roll for the better part of thirty years and, while they aren’t a household name, it would be difficult to overstate their influence on the genre as we know it today. Originally hailing from Montesano, Washington, the band formed in 1983 and brought with it an idiosyncratic sound defined by slow, sludgy guitar riffs layered over explosive drums. It was this sound that would serve as a precursor for grunge rock, which exploded in the early 90s with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, and Soundgarden. The story even goes that Kurt Cobain was introduced to Dave Grohl through Buzz Osborne, lead singer and guitarist for the Melvins.

The Melvins have had a rotating cast of members over the years with Osborne and drummer Dale Crover standing as fixed members since just about the beginning. The band has a huge discography that covers a dizzying array of styles and genres ranging from straight-forward metal to avant-garde experimental projects. Their newest album, Pinkus Abortion Technician, was released on 4/20 of this year and brings in both Steven McDonald and Jeff Pinkus of The Butthole Surfers.

Would Nirvana have existed without our friendship and influence on Kurt Cobain? No fucking way! — Dale Crover

The Melvins are currently busy touring to promote the new record, but we were fortunate enough to have Crover take a minute to answer a few questions.

Jordan Ranft: You guys started out playing faster-paced, hardcore style songs, but at a certain point moved into a slower, sludgier sound that seems to have stuck with you throughout the years. What was the initial motivation for this change?

Dale Crover: I think it was a growth more than a change. Also, we were influenced by bands doing something different than playing a million-mile-an-hour hardcore. We wanted to do something different, and that kind of stuff ran its course pretty quickly. On the other hand, playing fast has never gone away for us. Drummers love to play fast.

Ranft: For the past three decades, at least, Washington State has been churning out bands that consistently challenge and redefine the rock genre. It was the primary epicenter for grunge, but several legendary indie-rock groups also call WA home. Do you think there is anything special about the culture in the Pacific Northwest that has helped foster this atmosphere for innovation?

Crover: For the past three decades, we’ve lived in California. I don’t see much of a difference in culture between the two, other than in California they say “bag” and in the PNW it ’s called a “sack.” Maybe it’s the water or the inbreeding. I’m not quite sure.

Ranft: Some folks have taken to calling you the godfathers of grunge. Do you think there is a strong enough thread between your sound in the mid/late 80s and what eventually became known as grunge to say that you are primary influencers for the genre?

Crover: Absolutely! Would Nirvana have existed without our friendship and influence on Kurt Cobain? No fucking way!

Ranft: How do songs come together for you? The Melvins have an expansive and eclectic catalog of music. Does that all come from one person? Or are you guys fans of equal collaboration?

Crover: Buzz writes almost all of it. Though on our newest record everyone wrote, with Pinkus writing the majority of songs. That’s a first for us.

Ranft: How long have you known The Butthole Surfers, and how did bringing in Jeff Pinkus on the most recent album come about?

Crover: I’ve known Jeff for over 20 years. The other Butts a bit less. We wanted to do an EP of the Butthole Surfers songs we played live with Jeff. We were in the middle of recording A Walk With Love And Death with Steven. Having them both play together seemed like a good idea. The EP turned into an LP rather quickly.

Ranft: The Melvins have something like 21 studio albums in their discography, and that’s discounting EPs. If that number wasn’t intimidating enough, you’ve also breached many different generic boundaries with projects that dip into avant-garde territories. What album would you recommend someone who is completely unfamiliar with your music listen to as a good introduction?

Crover: Stoner Witch maybe? That one would give you a pretty good idea of what we’re about.

Ranft: You and Buzz have been playing together as the Melvins for 35 years now. That’s a serious history in the music industry. If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?

Crover: My underwear!

Check these tour dates to see if the Melvins are coming to a city near you, and listen to Pinkus Abortion Technician below.









Author Details Jordan Ranft Author Jordan Ranft is a California Bay Area native. His poetry has appeared in ‘Rust+Moth,’ ‘Midway,’ ‘(b)oink,’ and here. He has worked as an arts/culture and music writer for The East Bay Express, Sacramento News & Review, and Brokeassstuart.com. He’s at a point in his life where a lot of his favorite musicians are also his friends. It is delightful. Follow him on twitter, or don’t.

