A Beginner's Guide to the Melvins
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- #Melvins #TheMelvins #Discography
In my latest video I discuss one of my favorite bands: the Melvins. They invented grunge in the late 80s, influenced Nirvana and a bunch of bands, and then kept releasing awesome album after awesome album to this very day! I break it all down for y'all and explain how I think you should listen to this legendary band...!!!
And here's my reappraisal of the Melvins solo EPs video:
• Melvins Solo EPs: Rank...
#AlbumReview #BuzzOsborne #KingBuzzo #DaleCrover #Grunge #SludgeMetal #HeavyMetal #Punk #AlternativeRock #BeginnersGuide #Bullhead
I saw them live for the 1st time in '89. I've seen them 60+ times. Melvins are the most important band that no one knows about.
agreed, I saw them for the first time in 94, and probably seen them about 35 to 40 times.
@@simplespiral Likewise. '94 opening for NIN. I think I've missed maybe two tours since.
They did inspire an entire genre of bands.
And I thought I saw them a lot at 10 times 🤣
Idk if they were wood they probably would of made music people actually WANTED to listen to ya know?
Holy shit what a coincidence!, A History of Bad Men was the first thing I heard that hooked me in.
Awesome. Makes me think I'm not full of BS. 😉
@@EdwinCannistraci probably not because the next cut that blew me away and totally hooked me in was dog island, then I knew I loved these guys and couldn’t understand how I let them get by me all these years. Fan for 2 years now. Saw them 1st time on March 11th and they still kick ass!
You are not alone. I was listening at work when "A history.." came on. I crawled off a roof to check to see what I was hearing and have been a fan since!
I think I'm the only female Melvins fan I'll ever know. The look on other women's faces when I say they're in my top 5 somehow makes me love them even more. My first album to hear was Lysol, and I didn't get it.. but a bit later on I heard Stoner Witch and Houdini around when A Senile Animal was released and I've since remained on this crazy ride eventually loving all of it. Beginners, if you see them live BRING EAR PLUGS lol
Awesome that you're a Melvins fan and it's especially awesome that you're a female Melvins fan (yeah, I haven't met many).
Hee hee... i'm a woman who loves Melvins too. They're in the top 15 of my favorite bands. i've only seen them about 3 or 4 times live (first time was in the early/mid '90s), but i think they're great!
@@alwaysastudent Right on! You ladies rock!
Another female Melvins fan here in eastern Europe! Never had a chance to see them tho (i live in the middle of nowhere)
Me too!
Dude this video needs more views. The fact that most younger metal fans haven't heard of this legendary band is incredible.
Thanks, man. Agree 100% (about both the Melvins and my views).
@Eddy Cannistraci Dude this was well covered. I have been listening to Melvins since 1993ish. Someone gave me a cassette and once I played it I knew I was listening to something so different that it was better than all the popular bands back then.
I agree with you talking about the easier-to-listen-to albums. Not gonna lie, some albums are tough to get into unless you understand what they are trying to accomplish with the sounds.
Double thumbs up bro.
@@HFH-Official Really appreciate it. Despite your name, you don't sound like much of a hater! Maybe you just hate lame shit. 😉Y'know, even some of those harder-to-get-into Melvins' albums are rewarding listens once you acquire a taste for 'em. At some point I'm going to do An Expert's Guide to the Melvins and discuss that phase of Melvins fandom...!!
im 16 and ive really been diggin their shit lately and i plan on listening to all of their albums (i do that alot)
I got into the Melvin’s when I was like 10 when my friend showed me nirvana so I went home and read about them and saw the Melvins kept popping up. I decided to check them out and almost instantly never looked back, they scratch every itch in my brain music wise. Stag is definitely my favorite album of theirs, maybe I’m just a sucker for anything that’s “out there” but at the same time when you listen to stag you can tell they were having the time of their lives which I think is what makes an album truly great. It just sounds like they did everything they wanted to do with that album and did it extremely well. Even buzz says they had the most fun recording an album when they did stag, very under appreciated in my opinion
Thanks for watching and sharing. Stag is definitely a grower for me but it does keep growing: I like it better now than when I made the video. Definitely not what I go to when I want some sludgy, hard-rockin' Melvins, but it's an increasingly rewarding listen when I'm in a more offbeat mood.
I like Stag a lot as well! The Bit is a Melvins masterpiece alone. But the album has a lot of great songs that grew on me. The tracks are definitely all over the place though lol. The third track with the tuba (maybe trumpet idk) is actually pretty great. Kinda silly but pretty heavy. The solo sounds like a tuba and it's purposely terrible--very Melvins 😂 Other more traditional Melvins songs are Buck Owens, Skin Horse, and Berthas. And maybe Black Bock, which I really enjoy.
@@keithbarlow9701 Bar X The Rocking M is that dank tuba song
I've lately been diving head first into a bunch of doom,stoner metal/Rock....and The Melvins have it all they the rock riffs, They got the stoner/doom jams, they got fun and pure talent. One of the best bands I've had the pleasure of listening too. Can't ever get enough of them.
You're right on the money, DrAcula (that's my fave bit from Ed Wood). Thankfully the Melvins released A LOT of great albums to dive into...!!!
@@EdwinCannistraci I know you don't like it but I love the Joe Preston EP. It's essentially a proto Thrones record. His 1994 cassette is actually on RUclips.
@@deborahpriestley4739 You mean this: ruclips.net/video/i80BDXEN7HQ/видео.html I actually like this better than the JP EP. It's got cool artwork and at the center of it is a sludgy doom metal song w/vocals.
+10 for proper use of: crackerjack
For more doom metal a Melvins fan (me) likes: YOB (and their side project, Midian).
I own literally everything they have ever released, including hundreds of live shows. My Melvins folder has over 2100 separate recordings...
My favorite band of all time...
Have you seen the Nervins/Melvana split 7"? I had a copy back in 90, and I have zero clue who put it out.
They’re so good that 8 people like their music
@@nonservitium Yes, I have seen it. Over at my friends house - very rare and very cool.
@@Xxrocknrollgod Yes, 8 Amazing people and I am one of them. Hope you are too :)
@@jarjaxle09 they’re ok.
Been a fan since Ozma in 1989...nice video!
Thanks. Appreciate it.
Sorry if people dont agree but LYSOL is in my opinion one of the best albums of all time
I love it too and it’s grown on me a lot this past year.
it's a masterpeace, hung bunny it's gold
Oh I agree ❤️
I think it's the most groundbreaking album of theirs. Bullhead will always be my favorite but I think Lysol and EggNog up'd the heavy slow game. Tom Hazelmyer put Lysol up there with the Beatles as far as breaking ground and I agree. Personally I think of Bullhead, Egg Nog and Lysol as a trilogy. The way Bullhead ends goes perfectly with the beginning of Egg Nog. It's almost an extension of Bullhead and then Lysol with the knock out punch of heaviness and some pretty mellow songs as well. It was certainly a game changer!
lysol is incredible but eggnog is even better
I gotta thank Kurdt for being a champion of his friends bands, because since he kept mentioning Earth and The Melvins, I had to check it out. Young max in 1992 was not ready for Earth 2, but man,the Melvins was just what I was looking for. Earth 2 clicked with me a few years later. 2 of my all time favourites to this day.
The Mevlins are like the Rush of the grunge era. Im hooked on interviews with King Buzzo. He could go on and on for hours if you let him hold the mic and you asked him a hot button question.
Agree totally. I became addicted to Buzzo interviews as well!
Cool. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I'm in. Fell onto "A Senile Animal" after seeing Buzz with Tool doing "You Lied." Early Alice and Kiss fan (saw both in "77), and I can def hear their influence here. The music seems to know where you hope it goes. Late to the party for sure, but glad to discover more good stuff. Huge Butthole Surfer's fan too. This could work! Thanks man.
Just got into them a couple months ago, already one of my favorite bands! Incredibly noisy and unique sound, been recommending them to all my friends
Hell yeah!!
My first Melvins album was A Senile Animal. Easily got into my top 10. I've started listening to more of their albums in the last few years. I want the DJ to play Civilized Worm if I ever get married.
22:30 Side note, I've also seen "Lysol" jokingly called "Lice-All" in the titles of old youtube postings of the song which always gave me a chuckle.
I can’t believe I’m just getting into these guys , awesome video 🔥
Thanks, man! Hope it was helpful. Such an awesome band...!!
Don't forget that both Buzz and Dale were obsessed with early 70s era Miles Davis rhythms. "On The Corner" is a Miles Davis record that Buzzo has spoken very highly of.
Totally. Buzz and Dale have awesome music taste. I'm obsessed with Miles and that era as well and will tackle it in a future video...!!
Houdini is probably my favorite. Love that album.
I used to go see them religiously when they played The Great American Music Hall when I lived in SF. Such a fun live band. Addictive.
Man... the Melvins..
I heard the song Revolve on a tv show... I'd just gotten into Fu Manchu Nebula Bigelf and Orange Goblin...
So I ran out and bought Stoner Witch.... and man.. what a disappointment.. nothing else on the album came close to the Guitar Brilliance of Revolve.
Gave the CD away...
I've bought 3 other Melvins newer albums... but just too Arty for me..
But the cover of Dies Iraea was Bitchen.
I gotta go back, and buy the early albums, and try Melvins again.
Great Video, love recommendations.
Cheers.
Thanks and at least you're trying. 😉I'd give Houdini a shot if you haven't yet.
That was a great passionate piece of work. I loved that introduction, very much needed for me. I knew Melvins, I used to love Houdini, but I was always a bit reluctant to get into their other stuffs. You gave me a lot of good suggestions
Great to hear. If I can turn more people onto this great band, I've really done something cool with this video...!!
Great video, I got into the Melvins in mid 2000’s like 2004-2006 and been a fan ever since. I kept trying it get my brother into them, and I uploaded a video on RUclips and she saw buzzo come on and he’s like look at this old guy how good can me be? And he Started to hammer that guitar and rock so hard it blew him away.!! Rip little brother. Hope he’s rocking out to all the greats that aren’t with us today. And hopefully I’ll join you when my time comes. we used to go to concerts when he was alive. Would of loved go the the Melvins!! Great video !!
Thanks, Jason, and sorry for your loss. Glad you have such cool memories with your brother though.
Thanks for the guide! Great video. I must say that Stag is my favorite Melvins album :) Of course of the first song, which was covered by Mastodon in their earlier shows, but also as a full concept album; it just feels right at every song & sound, beginning to end
Thanks for watching and I might have to add a disclaimer or graphic stating Stag has grown on me since making this video. 😉 That album apparently has a huge cult following among Melvins’ fans.
I decided to rewatch this video, Edwin. This was a great band for you to highlight. they need to be highlighted and celebrated. they had even fallen off my radar as of the 2000's . I am glad that you reminded me that they are still as great, if not better. I've been working on catching up with their discography.
That's awesome, Deimos. Glad I put the band back under your radar...!!
One of my favorite quotes from Buzz...
Little kid interviews Buzz and says "When I grow up, I want to be a Rock star"
Buzz replies with laughter and says "You can't do both"
Lol.
Such a sharp guy!
Working With God is a fantastic album! Great to see that this far into their golden years, they're still cranking out top notch tunes.
Agree. Totally.
You should have so many more subs. I love this can't wait to check the rest of your channel out.
I agree. Hope you dig the other videos...!!
Excellent video. You filled an important gap in the Melvins RUclips universe. Thank you!
Thanks much! It's one of my most viewed videos, so I guess I did fill a void! 😉
This is exactly the kind of walkthrough I needed
Glad it was helpful!
9:50 Exactly! I was hooked back to Melvins with the “History of Bad Man” I heard a month ago for the first time.
Man, I am so glad I found your video. I was personally first enchanted by their Hellfest Live recording off RUclips - the best concert I wasn't at. A great introduction of what they are and fantastic sound. Being ready for anything in music, after a quick reckon, I went the path you now recommend: the Big Business albums, Houdini and back to early 2000s. I've witnessed the post-Big Business albums as they came out and also slowly added some older stuff.
I still haven't listened to all of it, but they are my favorite band. Tis a pity they don't tour Europe often, but at least I'm seeing Dale Crover with Redd Kross in a few weeks.
This is a great video anyway, thank you!
@@Pankratzy I love comments like this: thanks for leaving it! Melvins have so many great albums and periods you’ll love slowly but surely listening to their entire discography…!!
Thank you for a clear and affective introduction to a band I somehow missed. Having grown up in the 70s and gone to Kiss concerts, and then living in Phoenix and seeing JFA and TSOL on Central at the Mason Jar, I have no clue how I smoked through the Melvins and missed it. You are spot on with the Sabbath Master of Reality influence on Bullhead. I am all in and grateful for the sage advice. Be well, teacher.
Thanks so much for this comment. You're exactly the type of person I made this video for...!!
Love the video. A huge THANK YOU from Brazil.
@@DreCarvalho Love the comment. Thanks from the United States! 😉👍🏼
By the time I first listened to Melvins I was a few albums deep into Boris and I started with Bullhead. It all made sense. Fun breakdown, if I had to try and get my buds into Melvins I think this is probably the right way to do it.
@@goudaandevil Thanks for weighing in. Glad we’re on the same page.
IDK how I never checked them out... I'm a '90s kid and was into grunge, spent my college years in Seattle, etc. Every band mentioned as a point of reference for Melvins is a band I like. Someone talked me into checking them out recently and every song I hear gets me more into them.
WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG
Better late than never, right? 😉👍🏼
@@EdwinCannistraci lol yeah
You are one of us now, and that's all that matters. Enjoy the Amazing 😎😎
The Melvins weren't in Seattle anymore by the time grunge exploded (i.e., Nevermind was released). They were in the Bay Area.
Thanks. Loved them to start with. Great way to progress
@@nyalaclub You’re welcomed. 👍🏼
I heard a bunch of Melvins’ albums and never thought of them as “grunge” (I didn’t read about them first). It seems to me that their sound goes way beyond this 90s thing.
I agree but they're often associated with the Seattle grunge scene and were a big influence on it.
For me, the inventors of grunge are whoever I'm listening to at the time lol.
First, I thought it was Nirvana and Soundgarden, then Dinosaur Jr., then Melvins, then Mudhoney/Green River.
yk if i still listened to Black Flag i would probably say they invented it too.
Before grunge was named, I thought of melvins as a crossover band. Metal/punk
Senile Animal is certainly a great starting point. For a band thst has been going so long together, this album sounds so fresh. I started with Houdini after hearing Honey Bucket on one of those dodgy throw away magazine vinyls.
I started with Houdini too - Honey Bucket lured me in.... I use Honey Bucket to lure Metal Heads into discovering the Melvins... I do agree though A Senile Animal is probably a better starting point. I cannot say which is my favourite album though.... I cannot make up my mind but Houdini is most likely tbh.... I love the doom sludgy sound of it. I love Bullhead and Stag too.... The Bit is also one of my favourites tracks, it's one of those timeless pieces. I also remember when I first heard Gluey porch treatments.... that just blew me away for like a year..... an incredible sound then I replayed GPT a few years later then I listened to it again for at least 3 months straight. Melvins are awesome and in so many ways.
I just want to say Gluey Porch Treatments is the rawest album ever recorded. I don’t know how to describe it, other than it just hits so fucking hard unlike anything else when I come back
Agree. The only album that's rawer is 10 Songs if you count that.
I think Bleach is rawer. The thing about Gluey Porch Treatments (besides the songwriting and the drumming) is the amazing attention to tone through overdubs. Even in the tiny second song, there's a bridge and solo, and it sounds so delicious.
@@talastra Bleach is a great choice too in that regard. I haven’t listened to that record in a minute
I agree that is probably the most important album for the New Orleans sludge scene. I’ve heard Jimmy Bower say how him and Pepper Keenan jammed that album out back in 1987
Man, I absolutely love your passion & knowledge. I was at a college.radio station in '88 when i was introduced to Gluey Porch Treatments. I was more of a "hardcore" guy back then, but i just loved that sound. I saw them in a rec-room in Santa Cruz about a year later. Just awwwsome. About 5 years ago i started listening to more slower, heavier music again and rediscovered my lost love. Houdini, Bullhead & Stoner Witch are all awesome records. You have convinced me to seek out some of their more recent work now... but GPT will always be my first love.
The Melvins are true originals, and that is what makes them timeless. My 21-yr old son is in a band and they are doing "Going Blind". The Melvins are great for any generation of fan... not just ol' f-ers like me.
Thanks for the kind words, Pete, and for sharing your history with the band. Glad I could get you to check out some of their later albums...!!
I'm seeing them for the first time next week in Melbourne, supporting Mr Bungle. How I never got into them I'll never know.
This was a fantastic intro. Thanks for the recommendations, Eddy!
Better late than never...!!
Will my first time for both bands in Perth too 🤓
Yeah
Stag was my 1st and it hooked me completely. Everything from Gluey to Jello are great. Even Joe Preston’s EP.
Dude, I'm on board! Melvins is killer in every way. I was 13 when Houdini came out. That hooked me
Right on! Team Melvins! 👍
Been a fan for years and heard lots of takes on the melvins, you pretty much nailed it ! Great video !
Thanks, brother! Appreciate it.
Love this freaky band. I saw them open for Tool in maybe 2003 (Auckland NZ), and they blew me away more than the headliner. Next day I purchased Hostile Ambient Takeover and i was hooked.
Dale Crover is such an underrated drummer. He underscores the riffs perfectly and is such a heavy hitter. I actually put him up there with Bonham. I'm not even a strictly "metal" guy - my fav bands are things like Beatles, Radiohead, Ween, Aphex Twin, Pink Floyd, Swans & Fugazi. Bands that stand on their own and don't need to be part of a "scene" - just unrestricted creativity for artistically inclined. Melvins are one of those unique bands that fill a hole they made for themselves. The hole didn't exist before.
My desert island 5 would be Bullhead, Lysol, Stoner Witch, Stag & Senile Animal. Lysol is their magnum opus imo, it was a huge statement and defined them as a band. Its's quintessential sludgey Melvins.
Their bright and eclectic album covers pretty much explain it all - it's anti-metal metal. I'm more an album guy, but a double-disc Melvins "best of" would be something to behold. Just so much to choose from.
Thanks for watching and for sharing your insights about this awesome band!
A single disc “Best of” album does exist but the band didn’t have a say in it. It’s called “Melvinmania”. I think it’s just The Atlantic Years though.
@@beatsandskiesmtg Thanks for sharing. It's so awesome that there are so many Melvins' fans coming onto this page and sharing their stories and love for this awesome band!
@@beatsandskiesmtg Totally. Like if someone is into 90s grunge and hard rock (Nirvana, Alice in Chains, etc), then definitely the Atlantic albums are the best gateway. But if they're more into classic metal and hard rock (Zeppelin, Priest, etc), I think those albums with the Big Business guys are a little stronger in terms of hooks and melodies, which makes them good gateways for that crowd. Although either way, I think those two periods are the best way to go, unless somebody's already into punk and more experimental stuff, in which case you can pretty much drop them in anywhere and they're likely to get into the Melvins. I haven't listened to Boris, but they named themselves after one of my all-time favorite Melvins' songs, so I'm sure I'll dig 'em. Will definitely check 'em out...!!
A best of album came out with a book the Melvins made. It came out around Hostile Ambient Takeover so it was only up to that album.
I'm not a part of any Melvins community, I'm out here doing my own thing so I don't know general consensus stuff.
This made me laugh really hard anticipating you talking about Stag because it was my gateway and then realizing you were hesitant on it.
All good, we get into music in different ways, just sharing mine. I tried so many albums, (A), Houdini, Bullhead. But it wasn't until Stag that I fell in love with this band.
Thanks for watching and for your comment, Robert. Believe me, I learned all about Stag's cult following after making this video... let's just say you're not alone! 😆 And the album has grown on me in recent years.
@@EdwinCannistraci Right on, man. I hope nobody was hard on you. It's all based off where you're coming from on how to approach a starting point. You did a great job at explaining that.
I'm definitely more on the wacky side which can't be the most popular side by definition. Great video, tons of fun.
@@robertmccauley754 A few were hard on me but I've got thick skin. 😉 Thanks and check out my Melvins solo EPs review I did recently if you haven't already. I gave 'em a lengthy reappraisal...!!
ruclips.net/video/zwh8LBEF9fU/видео.html
Dale is my fave drummer…honey bucket..!..wow…stands the test of time
given the melvins vast body of work, it's always interesting to hear people's opinions and ranks of their albums. stag was actually the album that introduced me to the band back in '96 and still remains my fav to this day... which probably explains why i like pretty much everything else from them... and also agree that maggot and senile absolutely destroy, and appreciate that it's rare for a band at any point past 10 years in their career to release relentlessly pulverizing music. thanks for spreading the gospel
You're not alone with Stag: I've received many comments from fans who got into the band with that album. It seems a little strange since that album's a departure from their usual sound, but whatever works, right? And I actually have grown to like Stag more since I made this video (along with the Joe Preston EP). Thanks for watching and for commenting.
I love so much of the Melvins work. They have so many different records that I love like Prick and Honky.
This was cool can't wait for the experts guide.
Been a fan for over 30 years
Tad is another band people should jam out.
Cool. Not familiar with 'em, will check 'em out...!!
@@EdwinCannistraci you won't be disappointed. They were the first band to go on tour with Nirvana and they know how to combined heaviness with catchy hooks.
Also there is a documentary on RUclips called Busted Circuits and Ringing Ears.
@@chrisbarnette7137They definitely sound up my alley. Will watch the doc and dive into their stuff. Thanks for the suggestion...!! 👍🏼
i love Melvins a lot!
i've seen them as Melvins lite, with Big Businness, with the Buzz solo project and last time with the Red Cross.
Amazing!
Just That, AMAZING!
Grazie davvero di esistere
Yeah. Amazing in the studio. Amazing live. Amazing all around!
In 1997 I started with the album Stag. For years that was my favourite album 😂
I listened it on cassette in my walkman. There is no other album that I listened as much as Stag.
And that is interesting because you try to steer away people from this album.…
So I guess it was a lucky shot for me then. I was 17 yrs young and in an experimental phase. You should listen it without distraction from the beginning till the end (!!)
Melvins were a major influence for years and got me from grunge to stoner rock.
I learned to know all the other albums and nowadays I listen more to Houdini and Stoner Witch.
Great work, this guide! Because it’s not easy to introduce people to the Melvins.
They never stopped producing new work and they are still touring. 🤘🏼
Thanks for watching and for your post, Koen. Stag has grown on me even more since making this video, but I still don't think it's the best album to point people to who like classic rock and metal (not initially anyway). I'm going to make more in depth videos about different Melvins' albums and periods in the future...!!
You’re “beginners guide” streams are super cool. I sooooo love Melvins. I actually play them on my streams quite a bit. My personal favorite album is Stoner Witch, but boy do they have a great catalog!!!
Thanks so much, Summer. Appreciate it. I discussed Stoner Witch in detail on this lil podcast I have. Here's a link if you're interested: rockalloveryoupodcast.podbean.com/e/episode-37-melvins-stoner-witch-feat-samuel-wetz/
Thanks, Edwin, from another Edwin! Somehow I stumbled on Buzz and went down a Melvins rabbit hole today. A photographer friend of mine (RIP Soren McCarty) was always talking them up to me, so I decided to check it out. This is weird because I come from jazz, world music, some rock (although I'm now nauseated by classic rock), and a long time Grateful Dead fan. But, Buzz seems like home from my experience hanging with Col. Bruce Hampton, Eugene Chadbourne, and the like. And the GD had their appreciation for noisy stuff back in the early days and two drummers. However, you keep saying that "If you like this, you'll love Melvins!" but not much of a fan of any of them, but I'm now a Melvins fan.
Thanks for watching and for your thoughts, fellow Edwin! And I'm glad you're now a Melvins fan. I think that's one of the great things about the band: You can love classic rock and love 'em or you can hate classic rock and love 'em. I think this is because Buzz has eclectic taste and likes both classic rock and experimental music (fusion, noise rock, etc). I'm the same way myself, so I was working on converting fans of more mainstream music to the band. I figured the people into more experimental stuff would require less selling. 😉
Fantastic! The Melvin’s are in my top three! I’m glad someone finally made a video about them. Way misunderstood
Appreciate it and I totally agree. 😉
Melvins simply rule. Buzz has no musical training and sometimes writes tunes on ‘out of tune’ guitars. They just bring it. Thanks for the video.
Totally agree. Thanks for watching and for commenting.
After all these years they put a smile on my face. Purchased one their cds from a rolling stone review back in the day only to dismiss them and turf the cd. Definitely going to retrieve that cd and get the ones you mentioned.
@@mikeh7262 This comment put a smile on my face. Always happy when a person joins Team Melvins. 👍🏼
I kept waiting for you to mention The Maggot! But I understand why you put it further down the list since it's ordered based on accessibility. The Maggot is my favorite Melvins album, but it doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves. I agree with the order of the rest of your list. Oh and I somehow haven't heard Bases Loaded. Excited to check it out! Kinda hard to keep up with all the albums they release lol. Awesome video!
Thanks much and I love The Maggot as well. In the future I'm going to dio a video devoted entirely to the Trilogy.
Great listening guide! The Melvins are a phenomenal, heavily misunderstood band. This definitely helps 👍
Thanks for commenting. Glad you found it helpful.
Fantastic video man! Just exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks! Glad to hear it! 👍🏼
Great vid, man! I actually started with “Houdini” and “Stoner Witch”, but starting with “Senile Animal” and “Nude With Boots” are great suggestions
Thanks, Eric. Appreciate it.
I would like to give some props to Joe Preston, who is one of the key figures in creating drone metal, especially with his Solo EP with the Melvins, where he put a 22 minute drone monster song (remember: it was 1991!). He was also the bass player in Lysol (imh their masterpiece), with Earth in the early 90's when they basically invented drone metal (just before Earth 2), and then with Sun O))) in the 2000s. So, he is more than just "that bassist who played with the Melvins for less then a year" ;) Anyway, love the video, I think you explained perfectly how to approach their discography! One last thing: their 2 LPs with Jello Biafra are pure gold!
Thanks for watching and for commenting. I might need to put up a disclaimer that I eventually came around to appreciating Joe Preston and his EP. I go into greater detail in this video...
ruclips.net/video/zwh8LBEF9fU/видео.htmlsi=gts9SeDt7YYju33x
I love the Joe Preston EP and Thrones will make your jaw hit the floor -- especially live!
That song Skinhorse off of Stag is one of the best songs they've ever recorded. That song raises the hair on my neck.
TRUE!!! Especially if you hear it like you should, right after the previous song "Lacrimosa". The most dark shit of the album and then very clean, like coming out of a bad trip on the right moment... everything is going to be OK sound and consolation of Skin Horse. Like I already mentioned before: Like all Melvins albums but surely this one, Stag needs to be listened to without distraction from beginning till the end and indeed Skin Horse comes at the ideal moment. From 1 second to the other, hair raises as atmosphere of fear and anxiety makes room for tears of joy and consolation.
Really helpful, thanks. As you said in the beginning, I'm one of those people who like the Melvins but never really knew where to start. The discography is quite massive and it's hard to know where to start. I've seen them live a few times as well (mostly opening for other bands). Looking forward to checking out your recommendations.
Thanks for commenting. I love hearing my video is helping people explore the Melvins. Hope you enjoy those albums I recommended...!!
Thanks for the great insight. Ready for some face-melting 😂
Thanks for the thanks! Enjoy the face melting...!!
Melvins are my favorite band - took a long time to discover them, but holy shit, definitely worth my soul. So many absolutely epic songs.
saw them last year with boris. earplugs definitely essential.
I signed the Melvins to Atlantic back in 1992. I was involved with the making of Houdini, Stoner Witch and Stag. They were my first band I ever signed as an A&R guy. I’m the luckiest guy ever to be associated with the Melvins legacy. I agree with a comment I saw in this thread “they’re the greatest band ever that nobody knows about.” I actually like that, those who know, know. Buzz and Dale’s eclectic musical taste is what makes the band special, Buzz will try anything and has. The Melvins are an American treasure and true high art and I’m fortunate to know them.
Clearly, you're a first rate A&R guy with great taste: signing the Melvins! Wow. So awesome and to be involved with the making of those albums: I imagine you have many stories to tell. And obviously, I agree with everything you said about the band. Thanks for watching and for commenting!
@@EdwinCannistraciThanks bro! Your assessment of the Melvins discography is on point. Excellent video!
@@fonzsmith Thanks back! Appreciate it.
Start with Stoner Witch, it's an incredible album, best of 90's heavier grunge albums, as good as Soundgarden but heavier yet melodic and experimental at the same time.
Learning the guitar, I discovered Buzzo! It's about time!
Anytime I am sad or stressed in anyway I can put on "I F Around" and it changes my mood immediately. Great, hilarious, A++++cover 😅
Same here, Kate. It’s a really fun cover and I love the band’s humor!
Right on brother, seeing the boys play Bullhead next week.
Awesome! It'll be a killer show!
I was one of maybe 30-40 people that saw the show in Greenville SC 🙄 on the 51 days Melvins lite tour with tweak bird, it was great, the stand up bass was so good I was sitting my beer on the monitors up front. Good times
I love the Melvin's man saw them this year Knoxville bijou theater
Melvins have all of my money
Thank you for this. Have always felt like I was missing out for not listening to the Melvins. For whatever reason, I liked everything I heard but never got around to buying an album. Starting my Melvins exploration NOW
That's awesome to hear! Hope you enjoy the exploration!
Thank you, indeed. Been dipping into various albums - this gives me an order to try. Senile Animal was my first download purchase, so i was hooked into your video straight away. May i recommend the first two BUDGIE albums, (and the others of course) - would be interested if you can see a connection with the humour and riffs and songs that go off-kilter at any moment! Greetings from Liverpool and Wales in the Uk.
Greetings from the U.S. I definitely hear a connection between the Melvins and early Budgie (who, of course, also influenced Metallica). Budgie albums are VERY hard to come by in the States. Most of them aren't available to purchase but I have listened to their earlier albums on RUclips and have really dug what I heard.
Been looking to getting into the Melvin's soon. You did a great job giving me an idea where to start. Thanks.
That's awesome, Travis! Glad I could help!
I've been a fan of the Melvins for a long time, A Senile Animal and Nude with Boots are a great spot to start. Porch Treatments, Ozma, Bullhead, Lysol are what started sludge metal heavy as hell. Houdini and Stoner Witch are their most commercial sounding also a good spot to start. Beyond those listed, they kind of wrote a lot of filler records imo.
Houdini being commercial sounding? Idk about that dawg. Honey Bucket is probably the only accessible song on that record! Imho
@@TheBoboSamurai compare it to Honky and get back to me
@@TheBoboSamurai Compared to their other albums, it certainly is
Great Video. U shoulda mentioned the albums with jello biafra though.
Thanks. Saving that for the Expert's Guide...!! 😉
Nice! Seen them tons since 90,always better than great,Ozma and bullhead are tops but go back and relisten to what you thought was so so,h.a.t. And honkey are great
I also love that Let Me Roll It cover. Great video!
Thanks much! And yeah: great cover!
Good on you for making a video trying to get new people into the Melvins, but man, do I have a bone to pick... You really did a disservice to their drone era! The importance of Lysol as a seminal work in the drone metal genre is completely overlooked. You mention the KISS-inspired solo albums, but let your own personal taste get in the way of informing people about what are objectively important records in the realm of experimental minimalist heavy music. "Hands First Flower" from the Joe Preston EP is a foundational work for the drone metal genre. And you didn't even mention the fantastic Eggnog EP (The song "Charmicarmicat" being another early drone masterpiece and influential enough for Isis to pay tribute to it on their Red Sea EP)!
I actually agree 100% with you, which is why I made a video reappraising the solo EPs (with special focus given to the Joe Preston EP and his contributions to the drone subgenre):
ruclips.net/video/zwh8LBEF9fU/видео.htmlsi=bodsl9KKeu95n8fJ
And although I did speak highly of it, I don't think I gave Lysol enough attention and I plan to make a video just focusing on it in the future. Of course this video is just a Beginner's Guide. It was never meant to be my definitive statement on the Melvins or their catalogue. More in depth reviews will follow...!!
Nailed it with Bullhead, Eddy. It's one of my all-time favorite albums. It was a revelation because it had the requisite heaviness that I loved from heavy metal but it left behind the bombast and silly lyrics and introduced a strangeness that I found refreshing.
Appreciated the mention of Buzz's singing. I don't think he gets enough praise for his vocal quality and delivery. For that and because it's their best song I tell everyone to check out the 7" version of "Night Goat" (all hail Joe Preston).
Thanks for watching, SQ, and obviously: I agree with everything you said! 😉👍🏼
One of my favorite bands. Awesome live shows, too.
Yeah. I've seen them a couple times in LA. Always a great show!
No love for Joe Preston?!?! He’s had a pretty good run since the Melvins days with Thrones, collaborations with Sunn0))) and other projects both successful and obscure. And he’s a pretty cool guy :)
I totally reappraised Joe Preston and his EP in this subsequent video...!!
ruclips.net/video/zwh8LBEF9fU/видео.htmlsi=YsQf97LOUVoyOTsn
@@EdwinCannistraci Nice! Downloaded and will check out soon. My understanding is that there was a pretty serious clash between Joe and the band that led to a premature departure. Fortunately, not only did his time yield the solo record…we got Lysol out of it as well!
I just discovered them a couple days ago by complete chance, I saw an album cover on a girls Tinder profile that looked interesting and checked it out. Big Metallica fan, some grunge, love Black Sabbath, and the whole album I was headbanging on every song, couldn't believe I'd never heard of them. I've listened mostly to that one album (Houdini) so far but I'm sure I'll like their other stuff
That's awesome. Never too late to get into the Melvins and if you dig Houdini definitely listen to Stoner Witch, A Senile Animal, Nude With Boots and Bullhead...!!
If the SMELVINS and the Beatles had a baby...
Its name would be Nirvaner.
Just 1:20 in and I'm
BLEACH...
Kurdt loved punk that had the melody!
Like Adolescents. Idk if he dug them though
Awesome video and what a coincidence in your first pick, Civilized worm was the first song I heard from the Melvins. Loved it, I love Black Sabbath Grunge and metal. So funny everything you picked I love I got to see Overkill and Melvins this year so great so much fun and inspiration!!!
That's all awesome, Nick! And you're going to love my next video: I'm reviewing every Overkill album (and as you know, that's a lot of albums)! Make sure to subscribe to my channel if you haven't already. 😉👍🏼
A history of bad men was the first song by them that I heard on a random Spotify playlist….and that’s where I started lol
Houdini is a great start.. I remember when Lysol came out, it's still my #1..
New fan here! And subscriber....just listened to revolve and prick and man....🤘🤘 I am a huge Sabbath fan doom metal Crowbar Down Miden Metallica Soundgarden AIC Nirvana...etc...this is right up my alley....thanks for the video! And Overkill is killer....too!
Awesome. Glad to have you as a subscriber, Wes! I love all those bands too (I have two Black Sabbath videos and a Metallica one you should definitely check out). Overkill is my favorite thrash band and I'll be tackling their hefty discography in the future...!!!
you have an excellent enthusiasm bro
SABBATH!!!!! bro
Not watched yet Edwin but will get round to it. I’ve only heard a few of these guys records, they’re not well known in England you see. I have heard Stoner Witch, Stag and Pinkus Abortion Technician though and thought they were good records.
I saw them in 93 with Primus at the Freeborn Hall on the UC Davis campus. I remember sweat and hair. The crowd was rough.
The Joe Preston record is fantastic. Great proto-Sunn O))) stuff
I eventually got on the Joe Preston train. Check out this video:
ruclips.net/video/zwh8LBEF9fU/видео.htmlsi=UAC_WduJP4B7kWI_
Man, great vid, I love your style brother, keep it comin..
Thanks, Artie. Will do...!!
Stag is my fave! Great video
Thanks for watching (and Stag has grown on me since making this video 😉).
Still getting into them (in 2022😂) this video helped, excellent work as always sir!
Thanks and happy to hear that!
Heard Bullhead for the first time yesterday and really dug it. Kinda like a slowed down Jesus Lizard or something. Excited to go deeper into this band.
@@TRex-fu7bt Awesome and Bullhead was also my gateway Melvins album! 😉👍🏼