“Daunting” is one way of describing Melvins‘ deep, deep discography—look at that list—although “good luck” may be more like it. That’s why we asked frontman Buzz Osborne to sort through their towering stack of live albums, studio records and EPs for us, giving us the dirt on more than two decades of essential heavy music. And yes, that includes this year’s The Bride Screamed Murder LP, excerpted in the following MP3:
1. The Bride Screamed Murder (Ipecac, 2010)
Obviously I dig this one because it just came out. It’s one of our best and at this stage of our long career that is saying something. The recording went fast with no problems; no one went insane and I didn’t have to play anyone’s parts for them…
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2. Colossus of Destiny (Ipecac, 2001)
One of my favorites. This is a live record but it’s as much of an album as any of ours, so let’s not cheapen it just because it’s live. We weren’t originally intending for this to be an album but once we listened to it we knew it should be. One of our shining moments.
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3. Egg Nog (Boner, 1991)
Recorded very quickly for less than $500. I wanted to do something fast and without extras so it’s an EP. I prefer EPs but the public doesn’t. They just don’t sell as well and I’ve never been able to figure out why. I think this came out a few months after our Bullhead album did, but I’m not sure.
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4. Nude With Boots (Ipecac, 2008)
People keep telling me this is a “conventional” album and I have no idea what they are talking about. Conventional compared to what? Do they mean the songs “Dog Island” or “Billy Fish?” There is nothing “conventional” about those songs in any way. In fact, there is nothing at all conventional about any song on this record. People are weird.
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5. Hostile Ambient Takeover (Ipecac, 2002)
We always loved this album but we had more returns for this record than any other we’ve ever put out. We have hundreds and hundreds of these just sitting at our practice place, yet now it’s considered one of our “best” by people who never bought it in the first place. It’s always interesting to have people tell me we should do another album like this one. Do they mean one that even more people won’t buy? Great idea! Do you guys have any more good ideas for us?
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“We knew we were doomed to be dropped from Atlantic so we went ahead and recorded this without them knowing”
6. The Bootlicker (Ipecac, 1999)
This was a fun record to do because we didn’t use ANY guitar amps on it. We just put the guitars and bass straight into the board. No Pods or amp modelers either. Amazingly enough no one noticed. It came out just a few months after the Maggot record and received some of the worst reviews we’ve ever got. People were for some reason upset that we had the balls to do an album that was totally different sounding from one that came out the same year. What a weird thing to be mad about!
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7. Stag (Atlantic, 1996)
We had a blast making this great, great record and I think it shows. I got to get a whole lot of music out of me that I never had before. I was listening to a lot of Fuggs at this point and it rubbed off, especially on songs like “Black Bock. “This record received almost across-the-board bad reviews especially from the metal press, who strangely enough have warmed to this album now!
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8. Gluey Porch Treatments (Alchemy, 1987)
I barely remember recording this. We had just gotten back from our first ever U.S. tour and we were very, VERY pissed off and discouraged. No one cared at all about this stuff for years. We were really proud of this and I still am. It’s a really weird, good album and it set the bar high for us right off the bat. GREAT! I love a challenge.
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9. Honky (Amphetamine Reptile, 1997)
We knew we were doomed to be dropped from Atlantic so we went ahead and recorded this without them knowing—or caring probably—then we went on tour for the next 18 months just to make sure no one thought we were dead. This album cost very little to make and there are a couple of things I don’t like on here but nothing to complain about really…It’s a good listen…
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10. Houdini (Atlantic, 1993)
This album is mostly just me and [drummer] Dale [Crover]. Either I played bass or he did on almost all of it regardless of what the credits say…Cobain “produced” it until I canned him for being a screw up in the studio. In hindsight, we never should have bothered with him at all. All it ended up doing is costing us a lot of money. This is an okay record and believe it or not I actually prefer the 2005 live version…
18 Responses to “PRIMER: Melvins”
Agreed on the 2005 version of Houdini.
It’s fucking rad – especially the cut into the Cream cover.
I hope no new fans read this and actually buy H.A.T., Colossus, or The Bride Screamed Murder instead of Bullhead, Lysol, or Stoner Witch
It’s always interesting to get the artist’s take on his or her own art. Great post!
I wouldn’t agree with all the choices but I do stand behind the notion that Hostile Ambient Takeover and The Bootlicker are two of the greatest Melvins records. I’d add Electroretard and Pigs of the Roman Empire but I’m coming from a listeners POV rather than a creators POV so the lists were bound to be different.
Very much agreed Jim.
But also I’d add Ozma on CD. That and Gluey Porch Treatments are my fave’s, but if you get Ozma on CD – you get GPT for free.
There’s a mix up in the track listing for GPT though.
Stag is the best IMO. It’s their “White Album”. So much variety and yet it flows so perfectly. Honky is also a good choice. Definitely one of my favorites.
Kinda wish (A) Senile Animal was on here, that or Bullhead. Oh well.
Wow. Buzz didn’t mention ‘Prick’. Seems like that would have warranted 10-fold more returns than Hostile Ambient Takeover so he would have liked it even more.
Jim…you are a fucking retard. HAT and Bride Screamed Murder are phenomenal albums.
I really can’t believe Hostile Ambient Take Over got so many “returns.” I instantly fell in love with it, it’s in my top 3 favorite Melvins albums. what are ya gunna do…
I agree with zxxzooz. My list:
01 – Stoner Witch
02 – (a) Senile Animal
03 – Bullhead
04 – Lysol
05 – Honky
06 – The Maggot
07 – Eggnog EP
08 – Ozma
09 – Houdini
10 – Nude With Boots
(a)Senile Animal is possibly the best recording of music EVER! Not just by the Melvins but by anyone. As for the Colossus…well, it wouldn’t make my top 10 but it isn’t my record (or my list). I think I would rank Prick higher simply because it actually has a couple of “songs” on it. I will be seeing the Melvins this evening and am very excited. I hope they play Inhumanity and Death at least 3 times!!!
1. Stoner Witch
2. Lysol
3. Honkey
4. Stag
5. Bullhead
6. Houdini
7. (a) Senile Animal
8. Dale Crover (from trilogy)
9. King Buzzo (from trilogy
10. The Bride Screamed Murder
I would replace Honky with Lysol, Colossus of Destiny with A Senile Animal, and Gluey Porch Treatments with Pigs of the Roman Empire to make the list complete. Hell, with all they have done over 20 years it’s impossible to pick only ten. Somewhere Electroretard, Bullhead, and Stoner Witch gotta be near the top ten.
1. Stag
2. Live at Ding Dong, Melbourne, Aust. 10/12/03. (desk bootleg, best set ever!)
3. The Bride Screamed Murder
4. Stoner Witch
5. Honky
6. H.A.T.
7. History of Gluttony and Lust
8. Melvins/Fantomas DVD
9. Electroretard
10. Bullhead
They make me glad to be alive…just glad.
I am one of those people who actually bought Eggnog at the Berkeley Square in 1991. I like Gluey Porch Treatments the best. I think I have Stoner Witch too.
How come no mention of their collaboration with Jello Biafra? ‘Sieg Howdy’ showcases the Melvins at their best! All Melvins music is tied for the number 1 spot! Don’t make me pick a favorite!
I completely agree with what Greg said!