Basses Loaded

by Melvins

Overview

Like the great American filmmaker William Castle, the Melvins have learned that a gimmick is a big help in getting folks to pay attention to what you're doing. The grunge pioneers have a long, rich tradition of creatively rearranging their membership, and for a band obsessed with a thick and heavy low end, they've taken the logical step and made an album with a rotating lineup of bass players. Basses Loaded feature six different bassists scattered among its 12 tracks, including Steven McDonald (of Redd Kross and OFF!), Jeff Pinkus (from the Butthole Surfers and Honky), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle and Fantomas), Jared Warren (from Big Business), and Krist Novoselic (formerly of Sweet 75, Eyes Adrift, and some band from Aberdeen). The Melvins' longtime drummer Dale Crover even gets into the act, handling the four-strings on four numbers. The Melvins' twin trademarks of thundering heaviness and snarky wit are audible throughout the album. Steven McDonald, the guy with the best-documented pop sensibility of this project, is the one who brings in a Beatles cover, though "I Want to Tell You" ends up referencing "Helter Skelter" once they're done with it. (McDonald also shows off his love for Black Sabbath on "War Pussy.") Trevor Dunn's busy upright bass lines lend a coda of jazz and prog rock to "Planet Distructo"'s metallic assault. And Crover seems to be the go-to guy when the Melvins just want to be silly on covers of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and "Shaving Cream" (beware, unlike on Benny Bell's famous recording, these men have no truck with shaving cream), though Novoselic's appearance on "Maybe I Am Amused" is goofy in a truly ambitious manner. Buzz Osborne's trademark guitar style, clever but bludgeoning, gives Basses Loaded its greatest stylistic unity, and Dale Crover's drumming is outstanding throughout. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	06/03/2016
Label:	Ipecac
UPC:	0689230017820

Tracks

1. The Decay of Lying
2. Choco Plumbing
3. Beer Hippie
4. I Want to Tell You
5. Captain Come Down
6. Hideous Woman
7. Shaving Cream
8. Planet Destructo
9. War Pussy
10. Maybe I'm Amused
11. Phyllis Dillard
12. Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Melvins   Primary Artist
Kristy Joy   Vocals (Background)
King Buzzo   Vocals,Guitar
Trevor Dunn   Bass
Krist Novoselic   Bass,Accordion
Jeff "J.D." Pinkus   Bass
Dale Crover   Bass,Drums,Vocals
Mike Dillard   Drums,Vocals
Coady Willis   Drums,Vocals
Jared Warren   Bass,Vocals
Steven McDonald   Bass,Vocals

Technical Credits

King Buzzo   Group Member
George Harrison   Composer
Melvins   Composer,Producer
Dale Crover   Group Member
Mackie Osborne   Artwork
Toshi Kasai   Engineer,Producer
Traditional   Composer