The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, September 27, 1994 - 9 Do you draw things? Yeah? Well, Weekend etc. needs an illustrator. Bring your samples to 420 Maynard. Ask for Ted or Liz. Even though they are originally from Seattle, the Melvins prefer not to be called a "grunge" band. All the grunge bands ripped them off. Yeah, whatever. Melvins: By TED WATTS What do you think of when you consider the forerunners of modern music? Do you think of Peter Frampton? Well, you're wrong. You ust think of the Melvins. While influential Seattleites, they've all migrated away from the great northwest. Singer/guitarist King Puzzo said: "People always ask us (whining) 'Why did you ever move fom Seattle?' Move up there and find out. Boring, horrible, hideous." Nonetheless, they were an important influence on the bands which became such a driving force behind that "g- .word" movement of a couple of years ago. The influence is surprising, con- sidering their rather harsh and chaotic sound. Yet their importance has been acknowledged. Enough history! The Melvins just released an album in August ("Prick," on Amphetamine Reptile) and are on ,the verge of releasing another in Oc- tober ("Stoner Witch," on Atlantic). While on a rather speedy recording schedule (not unlike that of their idols, Kiss) this particular proliferation is actually an illusion. "We went to the studio, since we want to do a record a year," said Buzz, brimming with an energy that is ap- parent in performance and on the phone. "We wanted to go to a really cheap studio and hammered out a bunch of songs, just to see what we could come up with. We'd work on the Atlantic stuff for our new "Stoner 4ot grunge, Witch" album, and in between that stuff we'd work on weird shit just for the hell of it. We had no coherent idea that we'd make an album of it. We thought, maybe put it out as a budget EP, but I thought that made it seem like it didn't count as much as every- thing else. So I said let's put it out as a legitimate thing." And so "Prick" was born. Experi- s mental, noisy and with a wonderful cover painted by Buzz's wife, "Prick" is everything which is not commer- cial and so was released on Amphet- amine Reptile. Buzz described it as "good music for vacuuming. It's pretty out there." There's even one track which is digital silence, just plain fast-forwarded tape. "There were experiments where guys would tape in empty rooms, come back and swear they could hear things on them like ghosts or poltergeists. Maybe sunspots or something to do with the CIA. UFOs. Has to be." That's fine since the more corporate album is coming out. Buzz jokingly named the impetus for the album as "record sales, man, record sales." A quick (or long) listen proves otherwise. But then, the Melvins' lineup seems more stable. With Mark Deutrom on bass (the latest in a long line of Melvins bassists), the band seems to have found a level. Buzz says "the 'Stoner Witch' and 'Prick' sessions were the first time we felt like a coherent band, completely even and equal instead of something where just loud and heavy I had to tell everyone what to do." While a great album, is Buzz con- cerned that "Prick" will never be the source of anthems for those damn Generation Xers? "Generation X. Sounds like some kind of spy name," chided Buzz. "Anti-itch medication - Generation X! I've got rock neck really bad this morning, honey.' 'Try some of this Generation X, you'll feel fine.' The thing is, the popular music they like sounds like a bunch of '70s disco to me. A bunch of those bands, without naming any names - I have to be diplomatic, I don't know when I might be playing with some of these bands - are like the REO Speedwagon/ Foreigner of the '90s. Yuck!" The Melvins have been at close quarters with many of the worst as- pects of corporate rock, not just oper- ating at close quarters with repugnant bands. "We toured in Europe with Prong, and there was suddenly this other band, Life of Agony or some- thing like that, that was suddenly stuck into the middle position of the tour. We were like 'What's going on?' and we were told that Life of Agony paid $20,000 to have that spot. Jesus. It's amazing. I mean, I guess I can blame Prong for accepting the money but you have to blame Life of Agony for even offering it. It's probably a sce- nario that happens a lot," said Buzz. Not that touring is bad. "We'll play lots of stuff we've played for a long time and go back and listen to it on the album and say 'Oh, yeah, that's how we used to do it.' It's kind of surprising. But I don't mind touring stuff, I like playing. We're still play- ing songs from our first 7" on this tour. I don't like bands generally that forsake all their old material. What are you saying, you hate all of your old stuff, ALL OF IT?!?" Well, rest assured that the Melvins won't be hypocritical and will, in fact, play fine medleys of their par- ticularly wonderful harsh rock. See them before everyone else in the uni- verse uses them up. THE MELVINS are playing tonight with L7 and Wool at St. Andrew's. Doors open at 7:30 and it's all ages, kiddies. Call 961-MELT. 111 S About Mini-Courses and UAC Mini Courses is a committee of the University Activities Center (UAC). UAC, (pronounced you-ack), is the largest student-run organization on campus, providing an opportunity for students to become involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. The UAC offices are at 2105 Michigan Union. Registration Dates September 26 - October 7 Registration Site Michigan Union Ticket Office @ 763-TKTS No mail-in registration Refunds will only be given if the course is canceled. Use your Entree Plus Classes Begin Week of October 10 For more information Call UAC @ 763-1107 U nierity v 1,im w Power Jam Aerobics Mon/Wed Michigan Union Balroom 5:30-6:30 10/10-127 $45 Be a part of the organization that brought Dennis Miller, Bety Shabazz, Spike Lee, Girbaud, Soul Asylum, and Daryl Gates to the University of Michigan. BE A COMMITTEE MEMBER for the Largest Student-Run Organization on Campus, the University Activities Center. UAC Mass MeetnDates: Tuesday, Sept. 27th @ 7pm Union Ballroom Wednesday, Sept. 28th Bursle Hall (N.Campus) Get Involved! 763-1107 University Activites Center - 2105 chig nion - Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1349 UNIVERSITY AC S CENTER (clip and save) .--...--....--.--.--...----------.---.---------.-.-------| 2 Meme-srb s U Us ", 1 26 Mini-Courses registration begins at MUTO 1-3 MUSKET presents: "Hair"; 8pm., Power Center, Ballroom Dance Section I(iJ. Abbot) Section II(Hiltons) Bartending Section I Section II Shawna RedCloud Calligraphy Betsy Sundholm An Intense Cardiovascular exercise incoruaag Cardio-Funk, Ilip-Hop and Tubing will be avaiable for specialty sculpting. Abdominal and lower body work is always included! Join exclusive instructors from One-on-One Athletic Clubs for the best class on campus. A FREE week long membership at One-on-One Athletic Clubs will also be,,xovided to all enrolled aerobics students. Mondays Michigan Union Ballroom 7:00-9:00 10/10-11/14 Thursdays Michigan Union Ballroom 7:00-9:00 10/27-12/8 Put on your dancing shoes! In this course far beginners and intermediates. you'll learn varius dances such as the Rumba, Fox Trot, and Cha-Cha. Monday U-Club-Union 7:00-9:00 10/10-11/14 Thursday U-Club-Union 7:00-9:00 10/13-11/17 Amaze your friends, annoy your parents! learn how to mix over 100 drinks. A certificate of graduation will be awarded upon completion of the course. Colored water is used, not liquor. Tuesdays Wolverine A,B,C-Union 7:00-9:00 10/11-11/15 Inroduction to the tools and techniques of calligraphy. *A ten dollar lab fee will be collected by the instructor on the first day of class. Wednesdays Room 2209-Union 8:00-10:00 10/12-10/19 Wednesdays Room 2209-Union 8:00-10:00 10/26-1112 This course taught by the American Red Cross will cover basic CPR. A great skill for all to know. A Certificate will be awarded upon completion of this course $40/couple $40 $30* CPR Section Section I II $42 Massage Section I(Barry Ryder) Section II(Jane Sierra) Meditation Kapila C. Castoldi Pool Session I Session II Derek Pogerski Tuesdays Room 2209 A&B-Union 7:00-10:00 10/11-11115 Wednesdays Room D-Michigan League 7:00-10:00 10/19-11/30 Ahh... forget about the mid-week stress and take a study break that will really relax you. This class provides an introduction to an in-depth approach to massage. Each session, students will give and receive a massage. Bring a towel Mondays Room 2209 AB-Union 7:00-8:30 10/10-11114 This is an introduction to meditation. Registration will be held at the UAC office, 2105 Michigan Union Tuesdays Union Games Room 7:00-9:00 10/11-11/15 Tuesdays Union Games Room 9:00-11:00 10/11-11/15 Explore the fundamentals of billiards. Sessions include handouts, demos, and practice time. $42 $42 Free $30 $30 Sign Language I (Beginner) Mondays Anderson Rm-Union 6:00-7:00 10/10-11/13 It --4. " A -A--,~ ,-- n.. TT.-- .nn.Qf'&I /1In 1 11Z $35