Well kids, the self-proclaimed “greatest band in the history of music,” the Melvins will once again be gracing Seattle with their exalted presence May 13 and 14. They will be playing some of their most esteemed works, including the albums Houdini and Stoner Witch, in their entireties. If you need to find me I’ll be front row, stage Buzz, as always.
In honor of their momentous return to our fair city, I present an archaeological expedition into all forms of media looking for clues to this band’s peerless artistry and volume. What books or films could influence such skilled musical craftsmen? Let’s find out!
Hark, what is this? Buried deep within the narrative of the great John Fante’s novel the Road to Los Angeles is mention of a title so grandiose that it should only be hinged to the most awe-inspiring works of art, Colossus of Destiny. In the book, the Colossus refers to our hero, Arturo Bandini’s proposed literary masterpiece, his great American novel. The Melvins swiped it for a 1998 live recording of an hour-long noise collage. Genius.
And ho, what pray tell lies under this debris? Why it’s a Twilight Zone episode entitled “The Brain Center at Whipple’s,” which shares a title with track six on the greatest album of this millennium (or any other for that matter), Hostile Ambient Takeover — “ H.A.T.” for short.
Next up on our journey is the work of philosopher and scholar Marshall McLuhan. McLuhan’s theories on media and society probably ring a bell for any communications majors out there (film majors will recall his surprise appearance in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall.) Mr. McLuhan’s first book on popular culture is the highly influential The Mechanical Bride: Folklore of Industrial Man. And what do we have here? Why the penultimate track on the Melvins’ 2006 release (A) Senile Animal shares the moniker.
Lastly, the quintessential science-fiction film of the 1950s, Forbidden Planet, gave us mere mortals many riches, including a futuristic update on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, a suave Leslie Nielsen, and Robby the Robot. For our particular pursuits, during the film’s chaotic climax Walter Pidgeon screams the immortal line: “The fool, the meddling idiot!” And where does this show up in the vast catalog the Melvins have built up in the last 28 years? Why, they corralled the outburst into a song title and secured it to one of the best songs ever written. Also found on “H.A.T.”
Now that you’ve got your homework lined up, why not delve into these titles and be the most astute Melvins scholar at the Crocodile!
~Michael S., University Branch
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