GRUNGEREPORT.NET INTERVIEW WITH THE MELVINS
Note from Brett: This is the first article from our new reporter Whip. Welcome to the GrungeReport.net staff Whip! All photos in this article were taken by him.
Almost halfway through their record breaking tour (yes, there is at least one other band claiming to have done this) the Melvins had made their way into New England. The weather was probably something reminiscent to a typical day in Seattle where almost 30 years ago they had spent the beginning of their careers playing alongside Kurt Cobain as Fecal Matter before Nirvana had formed in 1987.
Once I heard about this insane and “stupid” tour I knew I had to make it to at least one of the shows. While the Melvins were part of the Seattle grunge scene, and were even colleagues with Nirvana, they never gained the notoriety that a lot of the other bands achieved. Call it a blessing or a curse, but they were never tainted by the fame and fortune like some of other bands were. I used this to my advantage and a couple months before the show got in contact with Melvins’ PR rep to ask about shooting the concert. I got my permission and on Friday night I went in to “work,” for GrungeReport.net. I did some test shots with the opening band, trying to find the best vantage points. I found a nice little balcony left of the stage, bullshitted my way past security, and went upstairs.
That’s where things got interesting. I made my way down a dark, empty corridor and realized I was right outside the Melvins’ dressing room. After wiping the perspiration from my palms, I opened the door and walked in. Seated to my left was bassist, Trevor Dunn, and straight ahead, Dale Crover was standing, beating the hell out of a big black gig case, labeled MELVINS with his over-sized drum sticks which seemed to be half mallet, half drumstick. I introduced myself and walked through to the balcony, trying to make sense out of what just happened. Not a minute later another door opened, and Buzz sauntered out to where I was for a moment. He walked to the balcony’s edge, peering down at the stage for a moment like the wise old owl of the forest then went back to the dressing room. I decided that it was time to assume the role, so I went back into the dressing room and asked Dale and Buzz if I could get a couple shots before they went on. They were both really accommodating to it, and just really nice guys– average Joes, if you will. Dale just kept drumming on his case, while Buzz says, “Sure, what do you want me to do?” Instantly I thought, what do I want you to do?? This is fucking King Buzzo, the Godfather of Grunge!
“Just be Buzzo, man.”
“OK, I’ll do my best,” he laughed.
I took 2 shots, the first of which was slightly out of focus, as I anxiously fumbled with the focus ring.
At this point I figured I’m in a 10×10 room with the Melvins and no one was asking me to leave, so I just started talking. Keep in mind, I had no idea that the course of events that night would lead me to hanging out with the Melvins behind closed doors, and I had nothing prepared to talk about. With the new Soundgarden single still in my head from listening to it all day, I figured I’d talk about that.
GrungeReport.net: What do you think about Soundgarden getting back together and putting out a record after 16 years?
King Buzzo: I don’t really care about it [laughs]. I didn’t like their last record. Badmotorfinger was good, but it was overproduced. I haven’t really liked them since Chris was playing drums.
GrungeReport.net: Wow, that’s going way back.
King Buzzo: Yeah. He’s better than the guy that replaced him on drums.
GrungeReport.net: Matt Cameron? I’m sorry, I’ve never heard that before. Matt’s always been one of my favorite drummers. He’s a beast.
King Buzzo: [shakes head] Chris Cornell is a better drummer than him.
GrungeReport.net: That’s insane. I’ve never heard that before.
King Buzzo: [still shaking his head] Chris Cornell is as good as a drummer as he is as a bad guitar player.
GrungeReport.net: Oh my god. I love it.
King Buzzo: He was a good drummer. I think he was a good drummer, didn’t you?
Dale Crover: He was fucking good.
GrungeReport.net: I thought he was OK with his rhythm [guitar].
King Buzzo: No, Chris. Did you ever hear him play drums?
GrungeReport.net: No, I never heard him play drums, but you’re talking about his guitar.
King Buzzo: No, no, no, no, no. It’s like a typical, music-typical drummer who wants to play guitar. [Smiles, laughing] Not very good.
Dale Crover: Then you’ve got Dave Grohl, it’s like great drummer…
King Buzzo: Dave Grohl’s not going to be a better guitar player than a drummer.
Dale Crover: No way. He’s not saying he can’t play guitar, but…
King Buzzo: He’s not exceptional at all.
GrungeReport.net: The drumming he did on the Queens Of The Stone Age record was ridiculous.
King Buzzo: Yeah.
GrungeReport.net: He was almost as heavy as Dale.
Dale Crover: And that Killing Joke record he played on.
King Buzzo: That Killing Joke record was the best thing he’s ever played drums on– by far. I mean, he’s a good drummer, and a very, very mediocre guitar player.
GrungeReport.net: What about the singing though?
King Buzzo: I don’t like it.
GrungeReport.net: Aww..
Dale Crover: Who? Dave or Chris?
GrungeReport.net: Chris.
King Buzzo: It’s ookay.
GrungeReport.net: He’s lost a bit of it over the years, but still sounds pretty good.
King Buzzo: His scratchy vocals might be better now [Dale laughs].
GrungeReport.net: Really?
King Buzzo: Maybe [laughs]. Might be. (Exit King Buzzo)
GrungeReport.net: It’s too bad you guys didn’t do Philly this tour.
Dale Crover: Yeah, we did PA last night. We were in Allentown. The drive was a little easier from there. Otherwise, the Philly crowd is great. I like the TLA.
GrungeReport.net: Thanks for the interview, Dale. Have a great show, man.
Dale Crover: Thanks.
Nice!
Nice! I had days like that as a music journalist where you end up backstage shooting the breeze. You really have to talk it up, though.
I don’t get it…Are they supposed to be funny? I hope so, for their sake.
Yep they funny dumb fuckers.
The video gives a good idea of their humor. And aside from that, Buzzo is just brutally honest. One of the reasons he’s so fucking awesome. That and his epic ‘fro.
I fucking love ‘em Melvins! The best and honest band in the world, and their humor is always on top to piss some immature punks off
I always wanted to hear Chris drum but there’s no way he’s better than Matt.
They troll, it’s what they do best and it is funny and not annoying. So all is good, of course everyone knows Matt is better than Chris.
Hey that’s pretty cool! I was more impressed with how you made it in there and whatnot!
I bought tix to the Melvins show in Indianapolis, but I forgot my fucking ID! Sad day, at least they didn’t cost too much.
Interesting. Too bad Whip didn’t ask about the AIC Reunion. How come no Pretty on the Inside or Live Through This questions?
they fool around you all the time… aren’t you ashamed of publishing this? and how can you start an interview talking about another band???
i’d give anything to hear buzzo rip apart corgan.
what a cool experience, man! i can’t even think of what i would of just started talking about to them guys! it’s hilarious them ripping on soundgarden and grohl.
I met Dale after the show in Orlando back in April, but Buzz had left the building as he was not feeling well that night. Dale was just hanging out between a second, little bar area in the back, by the door that lead to the dressing rooms. He was really cool. A couple people were taking pics with him. But only a handful of people really even approached or chatted with him, one of which was me.
I also met Chris Spencer from Unsane, and chatted with him for a few minutes (same show). Was a pretty cool night.
I shook Dale’s hand, but unfortunately it didn’t make any improvement on my drumming when I got home though.
Ashamed? I’m thrilled! Had I thought for a second I would have talked with them I would have obviously written some deeper questions more about them. BUT… well, read the article. I just started rambling incessantly. Still, I asked them things I wanted to know. I’m just a photographer… not much of a journalist.
oh, and I am whip by the way lol
So, you get the opportunity to speak with music legends, and all you can do is talk about Soundgarden and Dave Grohl? No wonder Buzz walked out on you. Absolutely unprofessional. This site keeps getting worse.
Good stuff! People should lighten up around here and take a joke… it’s way better than reading what Billy Corgan ate for breakfast.
So you interview the Melvins, but you don’t ask any questions about the Melvins, only ask about Soundgarden and Dave Grohl?
It was at that exact moment that I realized King Buzzo and Dale Crover didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. Who knew such a great band could be so stupid? Chris Cornell….is not better than Matt Cameron no matter how you slice the pie.
But seriously though why do you interview the Melvins about Soundgarden and Dave Grohl?
They were friends of Soundgarden way back when, that supported each others shows, etc. I think the heavy sarcasm in their responses was definitely due to the questions being asked having been about other musicians.
It may have been a more serious interview had some Melvins related questions been the primary initial and primary topic of discussion. Then in closing of the interview, you could have probably probed for their opinions about the upcoming release from SG.
Just constructive criticism for future experiences.
Keep in mind, not everyone is like Maynard James Keenan. Some artists actually enjoy being asked questions about their own musical endeavors, and would rather not be approached and asked about other bands, as if the interviewer could care less about theirs. Most appreciate that level of interest.
Not to dis Maynard in using him as an example of an awkward introvert, but any interview with him in the last 10 years, he gets all weird whenever he’s asked about Tool or APC. He says something sarcastic, diverts the subject, and would rather say something about another artist, or just talk about wine making.
honestly I started out by telling them what a huge fan I am off the Melvins and how I’ve been following them for the past 15 years. I asked them how their tour has been going, but none of that stuff was on the record after I started recording, plus those are the same questions there probably asked by everyone. They didn’t mind talking about this stuff at all. They are the ones who brought up Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. Asking about the new Soundgarden record was relevant as its pretty much the biggest news in grunge right now. buzzo walked out because he had to get changed for the show. honestly, as a huge Melvins fan these are the things that I didn’t already know about them if you have questions to ask the Melvins maybe you should get in contact with them to set up an interview for yourself. Like I did.I didn’t have to post interview at all. The whole reason that I went there was purely to take photographs, and everything pass that was just icing on the cake. I shook hands with Grungd gods, had a beer with them and shot the shit.and I could honestly care less about all the negative comments.
To people criticizing this, Whip basically ended up getting an on the fly interview on the spot. It was more of a discussion with the guys, he asked about the Soundgarden album then Buzz and Dale talked about Chris’ drumming then talked about Dave Grohl. I don’t think the Melvins are egomaniacs who only care to talk about themselves and they seemed to have fun wisecracking about Cornell and Grohl. I think this is much more interesting than if we did a generic interview that you’ve seen on a million other sites with them.
Also if you notice at the end of the interview Whip asked about the Melvins but then Buzz had to go get ready for the show. It’s hard to continue an interview when the guys had to go.
Personally I think the article is very funny, fuck the haters and good work Whip!
To Terrible,
When the site was “better” it got half of the traffic it has now and 80% of the stories were about Billy Corgan.
Why do people that dislike this site so much continue to visit it? Much less comment about why they dislike it? If anyone is semi-familiar with the Melvins, they would know that this is typical banter from them. I see nothing disrespectful or annoying about this interview at all. I think the site 100% benefits from articles like this and the retrospectives, adds credibility – doesn’t take it away.
As a person who has done some work in interviewing/music journalism, I found this pretty lacking to be honest. I see in the comments that it was done on the fly and that Whip claims, “I’m just a photographer… not much of a journalist” so it’s excusable. Nice to see some site-exclusive interviews either way.
You couldn’t find anything more original to talk to them about than Soungarden and the Foo Fighters (the latter of whom it would be especially difficult to expect them having a positive opinion of).
I wasn’t hating on anything. Not knowing about his initial, pre-recorded discussion with them, I was just offering suggestion for future interviews.
Oh, if I had it all to do over…
I thought it was quite a nice job, considering it was not planned. Great first interview for a photographer, Whip, and, as a Soundgarden fan, it was good to hear the funny stuff Melvins had come up with, lol. Keep on, and Brett, great aquisition to the team
[...] a los orígenes de SoundgardenBuzz Osborne y Dale Crover de Melvins tuvieron una breve charla con Grunge Report en su paso por Portland hablando, básicamente, de Soundgarden y Foo [...]
Whip, what city were they playing when you met them?
I met them after the Dover, NH show. All very friendly and Buzz was very willing to shoot the shit.
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