The Song Fight Bulletin Board

I almost hate to reveal this, but no, Melvin is not my real name. It's a nickname I picked up a looooooong time ago. My real name is Michael, but there are some people (mostly fellow musicians) who for years have known me pretty much only as Melvin. However, the one time my band appeared on MuchMusic (the Canadian equivalent of MTV), it was during a short period of time when I decided to go by Hellvin instead. Regrettable, that.

Hey, thanks for sharing that - I plan to continue calling you Melvin.

I dunno, "Hellvin" has a nice ring to it.

melvin wrote:Melvin is not my real name. My real name is Michael

First you steal Weener's sound and now THIS!?
......dude, I don't even know you anymore.
you can't see it, but I'm giggling under my bag, hehe.

Interesting thread. It's no secret (I think) that I don't enjoy Melvin's music. I respect (and, yes, envy) the fuck out of his skill, talent, and ability to create quality songs, but I just don't get them. It ain't personal, and I do listen carefully, intently, when I'm wearing my reviewer hat. Something in the sound/style sets my mind a'wandering, and it troubles me that I can't figure out why I can't lock down and focus with his songs the way I can with every other damned style of music.

So, a request for help: Where are you coming from, man? Can you give me a short list of songs to listen to that you feel were/are influential on the music that you're making today? Stuff that you wanted to emulate, that took you to the magic "click" --being that creating space behind the eyes when your eyes are open but you're seeing with your ears & hands instead-- of your songwriting style/sound/flavor.

I'd say I'm being generation gapped, but we're only four years apart.

Well, perhaps even more bothersome to Melvin than being endlessly compared to Weezer will be that this thread titled "I suck" has become all about him! For the record, I'm a fan, and of J$ as well. And I'm sure you'll always be referred to as Melvin. (except maybe by that BLT fella)

<blt>Right, he's more like SMELLvin!!!! </blt>

Rabid Garfunkel wrote:Where are you coming from, man? Can you give me a short list of songs to listen to that you feel were/are influential on the music that you're making today?

First off, thanks for *trying* to like my music! I appreciate the desire to understand something that doesn't automatically jibe with you. So I've been trying to think of a few songs that provide context, and it's been really difficult to narrow it down. I would prefer to say that I've been very emotionally/artistically affected by many types of music, and I notice three unifying themes: (1) music with big melodies, such as the US national anthem, (2) music that sonically kicks ass, such as Public Enemy, and (3) music with personal/clever/witty lyrics, such as The Smiths. I think the reason Weezer first blew my mind is because they combined all three of these things. And, in my music, that's pretty much what I go for: big, hooky melodies that tickle the melodic cortex and emotional centres of the brain, crunchy guitars and pounding drums, often at a slower (and heavier) tempo, and lyrics that are (hopefully) clever, witty, and pretty much always about real people, things and experiences in my life.

Not sure if that helps, but again, thanks for caring!

- Smellvin

drë wrote:

Caravan Ray wrote: (not that he ever really got many - he is a particularly lazy, unathletic dog)

you know what they say about dogs; they are just like their owners.

Except we both don't lick our own balls and drink out of the toilet.

Chief drinks out of a bowl.

it doesn't hurt that you're a pretty good singer melvin. and you've got a pretty good rock star name. and like you said, you know the hook.

i think melvin is a great name. in fact, at this point, you pretty much own it for me.

fluffy wrote:<blt>Right, he's more like SMELLvin!!!! </blt>

ahh, i hope fluffy and BLT get to meet face 2 face in a SFL or something... it would be funny to see if opposites truly attract.

Caravan Ray wrote:Except we both can't lick our own balls and drink out of the toilet.

Fixed.

Man, I'm so funnnnny.

Hey wait! Please be holding onto zee telephone. I like The Melvin. He has really refined his craft. His music is very easy to listen to and a lot of people really like it. Bottom line, I think he rocks.
Just wanted to clear that up in case I was misunderstood.

drë wrote:

fluffy wrote:<blt>Right, he's more like SMELLvin!!!! </blt>

ahh, i hope fluffy and BLT get to meet face 2 face in a SFL or something... it would be funny to see if opposites truly attract.

He'd be undressing me with his eyes.

I prefer the melvins.