Mangled Demos from 1983
Melvins · 2005
43 min · 23 tracks · alternative rock
A raw collection of demos showcasing the Melvins' chaotic blend of sludge, noise, and experimental rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Elks Lodge Christmas Broadcast Start here — Opening with a distorted, lo-fi recording sets a tone of chaos that permeates the entire collection, embodying the band's experimental spirit.
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If You Get Bored (live radio) — This track captures the band's unrefined live energy, juxtaposing humor and disarray while showcasing their knack for improvisation.
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Set Me Straight — With its sludgy riffs and abrupt shifts, this song exemplifies the Melvins' ability to blend melody with heaviness, a hallmark of their style.
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I'm Dry — This short yet impactful track highlights the band's punk influences while maintaining an experimental edge indicative of their early work.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- raw energy with unrefined charm
- short bursts of playful chaos
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- live feel capturing spontaneity
- experimental sounds for curious listeners
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished, studio recordings
- want consistent track lengths
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A raw demo collection adding depth to their legacy, not a mainstream entry point.
- Themes
- punk energy· chaotic live performances· early experimental noise
- Career context
- By the time 'Mangled Demos from 1983' was released in 2005, the Melvins were well-established figures in the alternative rock scene, having formed in 1983. This album serves as a retrospective look at their early years, highlighting demos recorded just as they began to carve out their distinctive sound, a decade before they gained wider recognition with albums like 'Houdini.'
- Stylistic neighbors
- Big Business· The Jesus Lizard· Torche
Tracklist
- 1 Elks Lodge Christmas Broadcast Start here 3:54
- 2 If You Get Bored (live radio) 2:22
- 3 Forgotten Principles 1:08
- 4 Snake Appeal 1:58
- 5 [flower] 1:07
- 6 If You Get Bored 1:33
- 7 Set Me Straight 2:30
- 8 ✪ 1:02
- 9 I'm Dry 1:35
- 10 Forgotten Principles 1:19
- 11 I Don't Know 1:34
- 12 Matt-Alec 3:00
- 13 The Real You 1:27
- 14 Run Around 1:45
- 15 Keep Away From Me 1:22
- 16 ☘ 1:01
- 17 Bibulous Confabulation During Rehearsal 4:58
- 18 ✠ 1:21
- 19 ✏ 1:10
- 20 Matt-Alec 3:13
- 21 "Walter" 3:21
- 22 ✁ 0:26
- 23 ✈ 0:23
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Bad Moon Rising
Sonic Youth
Shares a raw, experimental energy and chaotic sound that defines early punk and noise rock.
Goat
The Jesus Lizard
Captures a similarly unrefined charm with intense performances and a mix of punk and noise influences.
At Action Park
Shellac
Features a minimalistic yet abrasive approach, blending punk attitude with experimental soundscapes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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