The Influence of Melvins' 'Honey Bucket' in 90s Rock

The Story Behind The Song: Melvins' Honey Bucket 🔗

“If Captain Beefheart was a metal band, it’d sound like this” - how endorsement by Kurt Cobain helped Melvins' Honey Bucket become an unlikely mainstream hit

Melvins, an unconventional band from Washington State, achieved a level of success in the 1990s with their song "Honey Bucket," featured on their album Houdini. Despite not fitting the typical grunge mold, the song's unique blend of styles and its infectious energy garnered attention, partially due to Nirvana's Kurt Cobain's support for the band. Released as a single, "Honey Bucket" reached No. 29 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and helped Houdini sell over 100,000 copies. The band’s journey with Atlantic Records was unexpected, leading to two more albums, Stoner Witch and Stag, despite their initial skepticism about mainstream success. Today, "Honey Bucket" remains a beloved staple in their performances and continues to influence newer bands.

Melvins released Houdini in 1993, featuring "Honey Bucket" as a standout track.
The song blends various musical styles, including thrash and punk.
Kurt Cobain was briefly involved in the production of Houdini before being removed due to personal issues.
"Honey Bucket" helped Melvins gain mainstream recognition, reaching No. 29 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.
The band continues to perform the song live and has recorded an unplugged version for their latest album.

What is "Honey Bucket" about?

The meaning of "Honey Bucket" is ambiguous, with lyrics that are open to interpretation and songwriter Buzz Osborne remaining non-committal about its subject matter.

How did Melvins get signed to a major label?

Melvins caught the attention of Atlantic Records during the grunge boom of the early 90s, partly due to their unique sound and Kurt Cobain's endorsement.

What impact did "Honey Bucket" have on Melvins' career?

"Honey Bucket" contributed to Melvins' unexpected success on Atlantic Records, leading to the release of three albums and establishing them as an influential band in the rock genre.