The Melvins are your favorite band’s favorite band. For more than 40 years, loud, ear-crushing explorations of sludge, metal, grunge, punk and thrash have cemented the band as a pioneer in the heavy music space, and acts like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Tool and many others have credited the Melvins as an inspiration. Crunchy down-tuned guitar, grooving bass and thunderous drumming combine across the band’s discography to birth instances of heavy-rock mania such as “Honey Bucket,” “Revolve” and “A History of Bad Men.” You can catch Melvins perform at Thrasher Magazine’s Death Match event on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Pappy and Harriet’s. For tickets and more information, visit pappyandharriets.com. Guitarist/vocalist Buzz Osborne is the latest to take The Lucky 13.
What was the first concert you attended?
Three Dog Night.
What was the first album you owned?
A Jerry Reed greatest-hits album.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Butthole Surfers.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Hip-hop.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
The Fugs.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
1980s synth pop.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Great American Music Hall in San Francisco; 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga.; The Showbox in Seattle, where we’re playing tonight. I know I’m leaving stuff out, but, oh well, those are good.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Tommy can you hear me?”
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Probably Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits mixed together. I just think it showed me I could do whatever I wanted.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I would ask Pete Townsend, “What’s the most expensive guitar you ever broke?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding),” Bob Dylan.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Tommy by The Who.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who.
