A Beginner's Guide to the Melvins

[@nonservitium]

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.

[@simplespiral]

agreed, I saw them for the first time in 94, and probably seen them about 35 to 40 times.

[@gweganderson]

@@simplespiral Likewise. '94 opening for NIN. I think I've missed maybe two tours since.

[@matthewjaime1884]

They did inspire an entire genre of bands.

[@leucifer2]

And I thought I saw them a lot at 10 times 🤣

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

Idk if they were wood they probably would of made music people actually WANTED to listen to ya know?

[@stevenjones8008]

Holy shit what a coincidence!, A History of Bad Men was the first thing I heard that hooked me in.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Awesome. Makes me think I'm not full of BS. 😉

[@stevenjones8008]

@@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!

[@Peradime]

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!

[@bebo821]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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).

[@alwaysastudent]

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!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@alwaysastudent Right on! You ladies rock!

[@zosia729]

Another female Melvins fan here in eastern Europe! Never had a chance to see them tho (i live in the middle of nowhere)

[@jessicapatton2688]

Me too!

[@HFH-Official]

Dude this video needs more views. The fact that most younger metal fans haven't heard of this legendary band is incredible.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks, man. Agree 100% (about both the Melvins and my views).

[@HFH-Official]

@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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@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...!!

[@sweetwillyrollbar]

im 16 and ive really been diggin their shit lately and i plan on listening to all of their albums (i do that alot)

[@dracula2749]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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...!!!

[@deborahpriestley4739]

@@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 KZbin.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@deborahpriestley4739 You mean this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2mTc3eOerNqfrM 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.

[@lokispeicher8103]

+10 for proper use of: crackerjack

[@talastra]

For more doom metal a Melvins fan (me) likes: YOB (and their side project, Midian).

[@smalllhank]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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.

[@keithbarlow9701]

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.

[@nukeputin420]

@@keithbarlow9701 Bar X The Rocking M is that dank tuba song

[@jarjaxle09]

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...

[@nonservitium]

Have you seen the Nervins/Melvana split 7"? I had a copy back in 90, and I have zero clue who put it out.

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

They’re so good that 8 people like their music

[@jarjaxle09]

@@nonservitium Yes, I have seen it. Over at my friends house - very rare and very cool.

[@jarjaxle09]

@@Xxrocknrollgod Yes, 8 Amazing people and I am one of them. Hope you are too :)

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

@@jarjaxle09 they’re ok.

[@CSCRECORDSBC]

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.

[@gamerl2]

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.

[@grymlohke9919]

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.

[@richardives6654]

Sorry if people dont agree but LYSOL is in my opinion one of the best albums of all time

[@EdwinCannistraci]

I love it too and it’s grown on me a lot this past year.

[@abusabsi]

it's a masterpeace, hung bunny it's gold

[@olscratch933]

Oh I agree ❤️

[@gweganderson]

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!

[@ninjax9675]

lysol is incredible but eggnog is even better

[@jonvia]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Agree totally. I became addicted to Buzzo interviews as well!

[@undergroundblitz179]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Hell yeah!!

[@ChristopherGrav3]

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.

[@craigdamage]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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...!!

[@mystikgleam9541]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Agree. The only album that's rawer is 10 Songs if you count that.

[@talastra]

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.

[@mystikgleam9541]

@@talastra Bleach is a great choice too in that regard. I haven’t listened to that record in a minute

[@c_huntermc]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Agree. Totally.

[@mylenegarcia3381]

Stag was my 1st and it hooked me completely. Everything from Gluey to Jello are great. Even Joe Preston’s EP.

[@davidgillespie2452]

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.

[@jjharson7344]

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.

[@halfalligator6518]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your insights about this awesome band!

[@wormskull2454]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@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!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@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...!!

[@johnflushing9328]

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.

[@jarjaxle09]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Such a sharp guy!

[@deimosj8503]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

That's awesome, Deimos. Glad I put the band back under your radar...!!

[@adderalladmiral]

saw them last year with boris. earplugs definitely essential.

[@fonzsmith]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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!

[@fonzsmith]

@@EdwinCannistraciThanks bro! Your assessment of the Melvins discography is on point. Excellent video!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@fonzsmith Thanks back! Appreciate it.

[@1Hominid]

Houdini is probably my favorite. Love that album.

[@lakonikos8791]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

I agree but they're often associated with the Seattle grunge scene and were a big influence on it.

[@Jimmy-cv2js]

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.

[@rexeverything1163]

Before grunge was named, I thought of melvins as a crossover band. Metal/punk

[@lunatico981]

9:50 Exactly! I was hooked back to Melvins with the “History of Bad Man” I heard a month ago for the first time.

[@privatelessons705]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Great to hear. If I can turn more people onto this great band, I've really done something cool with this video...!!

[@K1leZe1nvl0d]

Setlist of albums: 1 - "A Senile Animal" (2006) 2 - "Nude With Boots" (2008) 3 - "The Bride Screamed Murder" (2010) 4 - "Houdini" (1993) 5 - "Stoner Witch" (1994) 6 - "Bullhead" (1991) 7 - "Bases Loaded" (2016) 8 - "Pinkus Abortion Technician" (2018) 9 - "Working With God" (2021) . 10 - "Gluey Porch Treatments" (1998) 11 - "Lysol/Lice-All/Self-titled/Untitled" (1992) 12 - "The Maggot" (1999) 13 - "The Bootlicker" (1999) 14 - "The Crybaby" (2000) 15 - "Hostile Ambient Takeover" (2002) 16 - "Freak Puke" (2012) 17 - "Hold It In" (2014) 18 - "Stag" (1996) 19 - "Prick" (1993) 20 - "Honky" (1997) 21 - "Eggnog" (1992) 22 - "The Bulls & The Bess/Electroretard" (2015) 23 - "King Buzzo EP, Dale Chrover EP & Joe Preston EP.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@K1leZe1nvl0d Good job! Thanks!

[@deborahpriestley4739]

I love so much of the Melvins work. They have so many different records that I love like Prick and Honky.

[@thefisherking78]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Better late than never, right? 😉👍🏼

[@thefisherking78]

@@EdwinCannistraci lol yeah

[@ruination775]

You are one of us now, and that's all that matters. Enjoy the Amazing 😎😎

[@talastra]

The Melvins weren't in Seattle anymore by the time grunge exploded (i.e., Nevermind was released). They were in the Bay Area.

[@mikehawke2172]

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.

[@TheBoboSamurai]

Houdini being commercial sounding? Idk about that dawg. Honey Bucket is probably the only accessible song on that record! Imho

[@mikehawke2172]

@@TheBoboSamurai compare it to Honky and get back to me

[@nukeputin420]

​@@TheBoboSamurai Compared to their other albums, it certainly is

[@kdakan]

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.

[@Johnny_U_Vision]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Totally agree. Thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@jasonseidel9547]

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 KZbin 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 !!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks, Jason, and sorry for your loss. Glad you have such cool memories with your brother though.

[@wtrhylkema]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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.

[@JARRODLEE-f8w]

Dale is my fave drummer…honey bucket..!..wow…stands the test of time

[@vinylsolution2522]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks and at least you're trying. 😉I'd give Houdini a shot if you haven't yet.

[@matthewjaime1884]

They inspired/created an entire genre of bands. I know more people than I could possibly count who site them as their biggest influence.

[@keithamandahall8548]

That song Skinhorse off of Stag is one of the best songs they've ever recorded. That song raises the hair on my neck.

[@koenvrancken4998]

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.

[@RevoltControl]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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.

[@Ferraridude13]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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...!!

[@petegomez9804]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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...!!

[@koenvrancken4998]

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. 🤘🏼

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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...!!

[@jedediah7772]

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

[@Andy-m6j]

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.

[@ps.6023]

they WERE Nirvana well before Nirvana was Nirvana. and with all that, all of them espeically Buzz is incredibly humble, approchable and down to Earth.

[@hugominzblatt4770]

Nowadays, I'd say Nirvana is popular shit, at least compared to Melvins. But there are also many other bands in this context that i would rate higher than nirvana, such as Alice in chains and L7 for example.

[@thermalmedia6454]

Excellent video. You filled an important gap in the Melvins KZbin universe. Thank you!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks much! It's one of my most viewed videos, so I guess I did fill a void! 😉

[@silentqueue2344]

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).

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks for watching, SQ, and obviously: I agree with everything you said! 😉👍🏼

[@BrutalxTruth]

Overall order of recommendations: 9:32 A Senile Animal 11:22 Nude With Boots 12:00 The Bride Screamed Murder 12:47 Houdini 13:50 Stoner Witch 15:15 Bullhead 18:16 The Bulls And The Bees Ep 18:27 Bases Loaded 19:17 Pinkus Abortion Technician 20:08 Working With God 21:10 Gluey Porch Treatments 21:14 Ozma 22:24 Lysol 24:00 The Maggot 24:52 The Bootlicker 25:23 The Crybaby 26:12 Hostile Ambient Takeover 26:32 Freak Puke 26:49 Hold It In 27:03 Stag 28:21 Prick 28:35 Honky 29:03 Eggnog Ep 29:16 Electroretard 29:42 Solo Albums

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Great breakdown. We can consider Colossus of Destiny a hidden track to be discussed later. 😉

[@stephentanner9767]

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

[@lagr7385]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks so much for this comment. You're exactly the type of person I made this video for...!!

[@nitemareman1]

My ex gf came home with Stoner Witch from a record store in prob 94 or 95. The employee in the store was playing it and she liked it and bought it. We were both like "holy shit this is awesome." Stoner Witch and Houdini are manna from heaven. The issue with them in my mind is that they are so all over the place. They have some records that crush from start to finish and others that are like wtf is this. But live they absolutely destroy and they have some records that are an absolute must own in my opinion. Viva Melvins!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks for commenting and right on! Viva Melvins!

[@samredras]

Yeah. Saw them first in San Diego @ Soma late 80s. Had a chick basset. Just an absolute fan since. Got me into experimental stuff by following them.

[@abusabsi]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Yeah. Amazing in the studio. Amazing live. Amazing all around!

[@glassgallows]

This is exactly the kind of walkthrough I needed

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OriginalOWL]

You should have so many more subs. I love this can't wait to check the rest of your channel out.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

I agree. Hope you dig the other videos...!!

[@philliptalania8250]

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.

[@bangarbodort2657]

I liked Houdini when i was a kid, but just a couple days ago was mesmerized by civilized worm on senile animal, definitely gotta listen to these guys more

[@saltpeter7429]

I am an unashamed heavy metal fan. And I love the MELVINS. first I heard was Houdini. I know, thats not vey cool or obscure. But that album is a monster, slams for all eternity. I saw them when Bulls& the Bee's was out with Steve on Bass, that was easily one of the best shows I have ever seen. The "Deuce" Kiss cover was a definate high point. I had seen them once before in 98, but that was one of the 30 minutes of feedback protests that went down in history, left me and 3/4's of a stadium scratchin our heads.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Depends on the crowd of course, but it can be argued that EVERY Melvins album is "cool or obscure". Regardless, Houdini is a great gateway album, especially for metal fans (which, as you probably picked up on, I also am). Yeah, the Melvins are great live and they do really great covers. The last time I saw them live they did Alice Cooper's "Halo of Flies" and it was amazing!

[@Filxx82]

Got into Melvins with "the Maggot", bought Houdini after that, then Stoner Witch and almost every album after that. But my all time favorite remains Lysol. OMG that album is incredible 🤘

[@EdwinCannistraci]

All great albums. I'm definitely doing a Lysol only review in the future...!!

[@BenfromFlux]

Melvins are my favorite band - took a long time to discover them, but holy shit, definitely worth my soul. So many absolutely epic songs.

[@helterskelter1178]

Discovered The Melvins circa '93 on the Nirvana book Come As You Are by Michael Azzerad. Houdini was the first album I ever heard, been a fan ever since. Gluey Porch Treatments and Bullhead are a couple of Melvins favourites. Saw em in '10 or '11 here in Portland; loudest show I've seen. A buddy of mine best described Buzzo's voice as a cross between Captain Beefheart and Gene Simmons.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

That's a great way to describe his voice!

[@Pankratzy]

Man, I am so glad I found your video. I was personally first enchanted by their Hellfest Live recording off KZbin - 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!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@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…!!

[@intafaze]

Been a fan since Ozma in 1989...nice video!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks. Appreciate it.

[@bove2k918]

I remember being on line waiting to get into Webster hall. This was maybe in 2012 or so.. Dale comes out and his Scion was sitting right there on the street by us. He opens the door and all this garbage and shit falls out. He grabs some gear and goes back in just like any other dude on any other day.

[@theniteowl7007]

its easy for the uninitiated to see how the Melvins keep making the same record over and over (which they have done from time to time) but even so, you can totally see how they have evolved, especially with the latest record.

[@edwinhurwitz6792]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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. 😉

[@staticauthority1100]

I can’t believe I’m just getting into these guys , awesome video 🔥

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks, man! Hope it was helpful. Such an awesome band...!!

[@billriddle9215]

I tried to see The Melvins about 3 years ago but the show was sold out when I got there..I should of known,I did get to see PINKUS solo a few months later though...I just started on getting albums,got the live Houdini album so far(so many).

[@deanpesaturo6401]

Eddie I totally agreed with you as far as A Senile Animal 🦒 not Nude With Boots 🥾 though; but I also think yeah it would absolutely be Houdini and Stoner Witch 🧙‍♀️ What was funny is it was the covers Lp Lysol and Stag for myself lol 😂 at all the early ones especially Gluey Porch Treatments and Ozma! Yes, I’ve always talked with them and even helped Dale load his drums up in the rain ☔️ on an Econoline Van they’d rented back in the early 00’s and Buzz 🐝 is one of the nicest people who’ve I’d ever met in my life. I too used to live on and off the road from the early 80’s onwards into the 90’s and have opened for an amazing amount of great acts like meeting Black Flag 🏴 Ramones and my friends who’s bassist played with the Melvins:so of course I mean the Cows 🐄 of Am/Rep now long gone and If you’re not familiar enough with bands such as Lubricated Goat 🐐 Butthole Surfers 🏄‍♂️ etc and the reason why half of the first Atlantic @‘ 💿 Houdini is just feedback; talking with the half muffled 💩 due to one ☝️ of the suits there trying to tell them what to play; do;say etc. So the band basically put all of this crap in on purpose so although it made it clear to the record company that 👋 “Okay, We do whatever We’re gonna do and never asked Kurt to get them on a major label in the first place; they were about done listening to a buncha suits whose job it was to come up with a hit on this phenomenal 💿 It really was the band that said Fuck This Noise and then went back to doing things the way they always did:good ol DIY ideas 💡not even finishing a 3rd Lp and quitting the game as soon as Stoner Witch was in the can! Yes 👏 I personally salute them and don’t know if my 1st band I came into from 1982 before the Big 4 outta the Bay areas of CA (obviously Ya’know who they are!) would’ve done that same thing to be honest with you E.? I can’t say that I blame the guys for that moment in what would be happening now! Thank You 🙏🏻 for listening to me rant about my favorite 🤩 acts of all time except maybe for Sabbath? 😬Sincerely yours, Dean P of PostMortem and Kilslug fame Boston Massachusetts 02134 USA 🇷🇺 💥 💣 Amerikkka of course.. right?

[@EdwinCannistraci]

I immensely enjoyed your rant, Dean. Sounds like you have a lot of amazing stories and it's awesome that you were involved with all those amazing bands. I admit I haven't listened to Post Mortem or Kilslug but I'll definitely do so (love early thrash). I also need to do a deep dive with the Cows. Mark Prindle, who I mentioned in my video, loves them and he has great music tastes. Is there a Beginner's Guide To The Cows on KZbin? Anyway, thanks again for watching and for the rant. Rock on, brother! 😜🤘🏼 Oh, and you should subscribe to my channel if you haven't. I talk a lot about Sabbath: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp3CkH6do9GYsLM

[@lucaferrario6190]

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!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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... kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKjLaX94eqtsnLcsi=gts9SeDt7YYju33x

[@phil-hunt]

I love the Joe Preston EP and Thrones will make your jaw hit the floor -- especially live!

[@iancurrell9650]

Never Breathe What You Can’t See & Sieg Howdy which are Jello Biafra and Melvins are worth a listen too!

[@ttamdizzle]

Been a fan for years and heard lots of takes on the melvins, you pretty much nailed it ! Great video !

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Thanks, brother! Appreciate it.

[@brassteeth3355]

I couldn't figure out where to say one should start. The first one I bought was a cassette of Lysol. It had a little black piece of electrical tape over the word Lysol. Starship records and tapes Tulsa Ok. Then Bullhead and on from there

[@TheCapntableleg]

Fantastic! The Melvin’s are in my top three! I’m glad someone finally made a video about them. Way misunderstood

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Appreciate it and I totally agree. 😉

[@TDogg1212]

I have to admit I never even heard of Melvins until 2022 because I wouldn't give em a try because I thought the only good grunge music came from Alice in Chains. Man was I missing out‼️ I do not feel they should be classified as grunge. They rock.

[@Doyle-fq7we]

AIC were an “L.A.” rock band like gnr until they saw Melvins. AIC did their own thing with it and they were good. I love them both

[@From.a.land.downunder]

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!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Better late than never...!!

[@One_sentence_cork]

Will my first time for both bands in Perth too 🤓

[@MarvinStarr-i6f]

Yeah

[@NickKaminski1980]

First got into Melvins a couple years after moving to Olympia, WA. Bought Houdini at Rainy Day records when it was released in '93. First saw them in Olympia fall of '94. Next time was when I was old enough to skip town; the Stag release show in Seattle in summer of '96. Haven't missed a show between Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia since then. Also saw many local shows with Jared in K.A.R.P.. long before Big Business.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@krispowell8647]

Been a Melvins fan a while now and that totally blew my mind you started with (a) Senile Animal... Totally agree love that album

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Such a great album! Thanks for watching, Kristopher! Glad I blew your mind!🤯😉

[@A_A_Ron78]

Houdini is a great start.. I remember when Lysol came out, it's still my #1..

[@br00talbr00skeez]

As an official “headbanger”, I must say you can bang your head to grunge. Especially Melvins.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Agree totally! 🤘🏼

[@robertmccauley754]

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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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.

[@robertmccauley754]

@@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.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@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...!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKjLaX94eqtsnLc

[@evankenney2082]

Philly accent much!!!!???? Saw them for first time at the Factory!!!! 3/09/22. Best show ever!!!! 50 yrs old and finally did it!!!! Smile on my face for a week straight!!!!!!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Ha! You called it right, brother. I'm originally from Philly. I finally saw the Melvins for the first time a few years back and it was definitely one of the best shows I've ever seen. Amazing band in the studio and live! And if you want to see me talk about my Philly roots, check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6rWnaKqhpl_nq8

[@EddieNova]

Saw them in '93 and was a huge fan back in those days and I drifted after Stoner Witch but those early albums like Gluey Porch Treatments, Eggnog, Ozma, and Bullhead were my favorites. 🤘🤪🤘

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Right on, fellow Eddie!!!

[@jeffpotts2827]

I love the Melvin's man saw them this year Knoxville bijou theater

[@WeGachaMetal]

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!!!

[@EdwinCannistraci]

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/

[@andrewhigdon8346]

Oh yeah, and later on in my live sound engineering career, I had the chance to actually work with some of my idols. Fishbone, bad brains, Steel Pulse, GWAR, Ween, and the Melvins. I mixed monitors for them. Each monitor mix had a corresponding meter in waving needle form on the meter bridge. The console was a Yamaha 2408/M. Buzzo wanted a moderate amount of his vocal mic in his wedges in front of him. The ZERO mark on the meters was at about the 1 o’clock position. His vocal, when he sang, brought the needle up to about high noon, straight up, pretty normal but loud. When his guitar kicked in hard, the sound coming from 15 feet behind him was enough to push that same vocal mic level up last 2 o’clock!!!!!! Never witnessed before or since. That means that the guitar volume was such that it was blowing into his vocal mic much, much louder than his voice at one inch. In technical terms of loudness and decibels, that is astonishing. But wait, there’s more. He kept gesturing at me to turn UP his guitar in the sidefill, which was essentially a small P.A. unto itself. More. More. More. Yesssss. Buzzo. The Melvins. “It’s Shoved”, right in front of me, at a level that churns the gut. For me, it was juuuuuuuuust right. Oh blessed day. Blessed day. A highlight of my career. And that’s saying a lot. If I do say so myself. The epic shows and moments of outrageous glory I have lived could fill a book. I’ll do a forced stop. Here.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Very awesome! Sounds like quite a time!

[@learnyourguitar1831]

The craziest thing is Buzz being set aside while Kurt got on the train and won. I think Thurston Moore played a big role in having Dave joining the band and surely gave Kurt a large 'currency' advance to trade with... Buzz is surely a king, a king of renegades and those scrapped by the business because not aesthetically adequate. Whoever disagrees, please disagree and clean Your Karma first with a couple of reincarnation....

[@garettraines7113]

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

[@EdwinCannistraci]

That's awesome to hear! Hope you enjoy the exploration!

[@nyalaclub]

Thanks. Loved them to start with. Great way to progress

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@nyalaclub You’re welcomed. 👍🏼

[@CoyoteCrush]

Bullhead my favorite too. It's their magnum opus of songwriting imo. So many good songs. Zodiac. Anaconda. Cow. If I had an Exorcism. It's Shoved. The whole things brilliant.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Agree but you know that. 😉

[@plotinuswashere]

yeah that's my favorite too. I think the best albums to start with would be houdini, ozma, and bullhead, that's their most "accessible" imo

[@C_Jj_G]

I do really like the song off "hold it in", onions make the milk taste bad. Honky is my first album and i still have.. didnt know it was outta print

[@JARRODLEE-f8w]

Huge Melvin’s.dig the experimental ..the crybaby..the footlocker…and the maggot trilogy..

[@monkzzy976evil]

LMAO the way I randomly found Stag from one of the firsts I listened to and liked it so much lol

[@EdwinCannistraci]

You're not alone: thanks to this video I discovered an entire subculture of Melvins fans who got into them via Stag...!! 😅

[@monkzzy976evil]

@@EdwinCannistraci lool But thanks anyway, I couldn't decide what to listen to when I found out how many albums they have and this video really helped

[@EdwinCannistraci]

@@monkzzy976evil Love hearing that. Happy to help!

[@kshepard71]

I love bands who do not make it easy to like them. I always know it is going to be a long and profound road when two things are at play: 1. They are highly revered, but do not produce radio friendly music. And 2. I don’t immediately resonate with the music.

[@captainthiccnick]

Well I'm about to see them for the first time with Ministry and Corrosion of Conformity. Up until this point I knew of them but they never really came into any of my mixes except briefly when I was listening to Acid Bath. If nothing else I know I'm in for one hell of a show

[@EdwinCannistraci]

You are in for a great show: Melvins are awesome live (COC are also pretty good).

[@olscratch933]

I’ll be seeing them for my 7th or 8th time soon w/ Boris and then playing Bullhead in it’s entirety. My second time seeing this year. Definitely my favorite rock band.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

I've seen them a handful of times, but I've never seen them play Bullhead in its entirety. That's so awesome!

[@jordantaylor1988]

Dude, I'm on board! Melvins is killer in every way. I was 13 when Houdini came out. That hooked me

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Right on! Team Melvins! 👍

[@denniszipps1202]

I was recommended the Jam In The Van version of Hag Me and I was thinking “I’ve heard of Melvins a few times”. I remember Chris Cornell talking about them. Halfway through the video I was downloading Houdini and listened to it front to back. Within a month I owned 10+ records. Sorry i discovered them so late in life.

[@EdwinCannistraci]

Better late than never, especially when it comes to the Melvins!