A History of Bad Men – Melvins
I got hip to (the) Melvins way too late in the game, as I didn’t get into “heavier” stuff until the end of college, really. Nowadays, I understand why these guys are so revered by so many of my favorite artists. The “sludge” sound that they are known for had such a heavy influence on grunge in the 90s; I don’t think it can really be understated. Front man Buzz Osborne, known to most everyone as King Buzzo, is one of my favorite rockers, and the Melvins are certainly on my bucket list of bands to see live. King Buzzo had quite the influence on and friendship with Kurt Cobain, with the pair growing up together. Melvins drummer Dale Crover actually played with Nirvana in the early days, playing on three tracks on their debut EP Bleach, and introduced the band to Dave Grohl later on. I have always thought it’s so cool how the Seattle guys all were so close and connected during that period.
A History of Bad Men has some of the most kick-ass drumming I’ve ever heard; in my opinion, it actually steals the show. Also featuring a heavy-as-hell riff that toes the line of turning this one into a groove metal track, the guitar work on this song is so aggressive, but the groove is so intense. It’s almost like it’s a beast being tamed or King Buzzo is wrestling with the sound to keep it contained. The vocals by Buzzo fit perfectly. I love the way the melody flows; in particular, the “Wake up!” parts just tickle my fancy.
I highly recommend the studio version with headphones, but I also think most will enjoy the double-drummer setup from the live video.
My Taste in Music 
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