IN THE SUMMER of 1983 Kurt Cobain discovered punk rock, which would soon be a balm for much of his internal emotional pain. He wrote in his journal:

"I remember hanging out at a Montesano, Washington, Thriftway when this short-haired employee box-boy, who kind of looked like the guy in Air Supply, handed me a flyer that read: `The Them Festival. Tomorrow night in the parking lot behind Thriftway. Free live rock music.' Monte was a place not accustomed to having live rock acts in their little village, a population of a few thousand loggers and their subservient wives. I showed up with stoner friends in a van. And there stood the Air Supply box-boy holding a Les Paul (guitar) with a picture from a magazine of Kool Cigarettes on it. They played faster than I ever imagined music could be played and with more energy than my Iron Maiden records could provide. This was what I was looking for."

Kurt was describing Roger "Buzz" Osborne, lead guitarist of the Melvins, Grays Harbor's only punk band of the day. They had started the year before, naming themselves, mockingly, after another employee at the Thriftway. In 1983, the Melvins had no real fan base. Yet a dozen impressionable boys would gather around their practice space behind drummer Dale Crover's house in Aberdeen.

The idea of forming a new band was a constant refrain in his head. On a dozen occasions during 1987, he had traveled as a roadie with the Melvins to gigs in Olympia, where he observed an enthusiastic audience for punk rock, albeit a small one. Once he made it all the way to Seattle with the band. It was a taste of a larger world. Being a Melvins roadie was not a glamorous job: There was no money or groupies to speak of, and Osborne was infamous for treating everyone like a servant. But it was an abuse Kurt gladly withstood, as there was little that escaped his study. Kurt had pride developing, particularly when it came to his guitar playing; as he carried Buzz's amp, he imagined the roles reversed. He practiced every moment he could, and the fact he was getting better was one of the only avenues to self-confidence he found. His hopes were rewarded when Osborne and Crover asked him to jam with them in Olympia, at the closing night of a club named Gessco. Though only about 20 people witnessed the show, the night would mark his debut performance in front of a paying audience.

From http://www.entertainment.inuk.com/artists/nirvana/nirvana_wall_bio.html:

While Nirvana's star was on the rise, lineup changes continued to plague the band. One of their earliest drummers, the Melvins' Dale Crover served briefly in January of 1988, recording demos with Cobain and Novoselic before moving to San Francisco.

From themelvins.net:

Melvins are a three piece right now, the current members are Buzz Osborne (King Buzzo) who plays guitar and sings his given first name is Roger so I've heard, Dale Crover who plays drums, and Kevin Rutamanis who plays bass. The Melvins formed in Aberdeen, WA(the town Nirvana came from as well) in the early 80's the founding members were Buzz, Mike Dillard (drums), and Mudhoney bassist Matt Lukin. Buzz, Mike, and Matt all went to high school in Montesano. When Mike couldn't cut it because the songs were getting too mathematically complex Dale was recruited out of the Iron Maiden cover band he played in at the age of 15. Matt was replaced by Lorax (Shirley Temple's daughter) when they left Aberdeen for San Francisco. The name Melvins came from a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano where King Buzzo served as clerk and vandal. Melvin was the most hated fellow employee and they felt it to be an appropriately ridiculous name. The Melvins have had quite a few bass player changes during their tenure check out the bassist morgue to learn more. The Melvins live in Hollywood, CA right now. Check out the discography section to see the many releases the Melvins have made. They were on a major label Atlantic Records for three albums, the problem was Melvins aren't really the type of band made for mainstream, the average Matchbox 20 listening fool just can't grasp the complexity that is the melvins. They knew this while they were being signed and just took advantage of the big deal the record companies were making out of the Seattle "grunge" sound. Dale was a session drummer for Nirvana when they were between drummers and he appears on Incesticide and Bleach. Buzz has a side project called Fantomas with Mike Patton from Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and owner of Ipecac Recordings a label that the melvins have released several albums under. They have also released records on Boner records, Alchemy Records, Amphetamine Reptile Records, and numerous others from 7"'s and what not. Dale has a side project called Altamont. And Kevin used to be in the band COWS, he also has many side projects himself such as Tomahawk, and other which are ever changing so it's hard to keep up. I would completely recommenced anything a Melvins member has released. Melvins have toured with Kiss, White Zombie, NIN, L7, Primus, Tool among others and were also on the Ozzfest tour in 98. They have toured with a second guitarist David Stone who is a great noise guitarist. Melvins have a great sense of humor and are very interesting/friendly so if you get a chance to see them live in your town be sure to talk to them. Oh and if possible be sure to give them gifts, they prefer Cracker Barrel gift certificates.

http://www.angelfire.com/art/necroman/bio.html = What is the idea behind Fantômas?

Altamont? Wasn't that a concert gone wrong at a raceway?