Melvins formed in Montesano, Washington in 1983 around Buzz Osborne, playing rock slower and heavier than anyone thought to — the blueprint for sludge metal and a direct influence on grunge. Houdini (1993), co-produced by Kurt Cobain, and Stoner Witch (1994) are the places to start. Shop Melvins vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Melvins formed in Montesano, Washington in 1983 around Buzz Osborne (King Buzzo). They are widely cited as one of the foundational influences on grunge - Buzz Osborne was close to Kurt Cobain and was a influence on Cobain's musical development. The band's distinctive heavy and slow approach to rock music influenced not only grunge but also subsequent sludge metal, doom metal, and broader heavy underground music. They have been prolific across their multi-decade career with over 30 studio albums. Houdini (1993) was produced in part by Kurt Cobain. They have rotated through numerous bassists, with Steven McDonald (of Redd Kross / OFF!) holding the role since 2015. They have also operated as Melvins Lite (with extensive collaborative configurations) and have released collaborative albums with Mike Patton (Faith No More), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), and others.
Melvins's sound is foundational to sludge metal as a recognized genre - combining sludge metal, noise rock, doom metal, hardcore punk, experimental rock, and stoner metal with Osborne's distinctive vocal delivery (combining sung and screamed approaches), Crover's foundational heavy drumming, extensive distorted guitar work, and arrangements drawing on Black Sabbath, hardcore punk, and broader 1970s heavy rock traditions alongside experimental influences. Their foundational influence on grunge, sludge metal, and broader heavy underground music is widely documented.
Boner Records, Atlantic, and Ipecac Recordings pressings of the Melvins catalog are widely collected. Multiple anniversary editions, audiophile reissues, and the extensive Ipecac and Amphetamine Reptile reissue programs have been released.
Listeners new to Melvins typically start with Houdini (1993) or Stoner Witch (1994).
