The Melvins are kicking off the year with their new album ‘Tarantula Heart’ and a trip down under next month for the first time since 2017, supporting current labelmates, Mr. Bungle, on The Raging Wrath of Australia & New Zealand tour across six capital city dates.
Melvins, who over their 40-year storied career have blended punk and metal influences, profoundly impacting grunge icons like Tad and Soundgarden. Despite their cult status, they inspired Nirvana and others, shaping the ’90s musical landscape.
The Everblack Podcast spoke to Buzz Osborne from Melvins about their upcoming Australian tour with Mr Bungle, new album ‘Tarantula Heart’, his longtime friendship with musical collaborator Trevor Dunn, the status of Fantomas and how many records he thinks Melvins have left in them.
Listen to the interview here:
Melvins – Tarantula Heart
Out Fri 19 April 2024 via Ipecac Recordings / Liberator Music
Pre-order HERE
“The way we approached Tarantula Heart was different than any other Melvins’ album,” explains Buzz Osborne. “I had Dale and Roy Mayorga come in and play along with Steven and I to some riffs, then I took those sessions and figured out what parts would work and wrote new music to fit. This isn’t a studio approach we’ve ever taken. Usually we have the songs written BEFORE we start recording!”
“The majority of Tarantula Heart has dual drum parts,” adds long-time Melvins drummer Dale Crover. “Roy is an amazing drummer. We would discuss what we would do pattern wise, then we’d just go for it. Improvising riffs and trading off on drum fills.”
In actuality nothing appeared out of thin air. Buzz spent hours and hours with the drum tracks by himself writing songs to what he was hearing drum wise. “When the rest of the band heard these songs I’d created from the sessions, they were blown away,” Buzz shares. “These were fully developed new songs that they’d never heard before that had seemingly appeared out of thin air. Presto!”
Recorded, mixed and co-produced by longtime Melvins’ collaborator Toshi Kasai, the album also features We Are The Asteroid guitar player Gary Chester. Gary and the Melvins’ history goes back to their days on Boner Records, with the guitar player formerly having been a part of the legendary band, Ed Hall.
Next month sees the Melvins return to Australia and New Zealand for the first time since 2017, supporting current labelmates, Mr. Bungle, on The Raging Wrath of Australia & New Zealand tour across six capital city dates.
MELVINS TOUR DATES
Ticket details at: livenation.com.au
Sunday 3 March – Auckland Town Hall, Auckland NZ
Wednesday 6 March – Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC
Thursday 7 March – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide SA
Saturday 9 March –Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Sunday 10 March – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Tuesday 12 March – Metro City, Perth WA
