Melvins guitarist/vocalist Buzz Osborne has reflected on the long-running discussion surrounding Faith No More’s influence on the rise of nü-metal, joking that he would rather claim Nirvana and Soundgarden while leaving Limp Bizkit and Korn to frontman Mike Patton.
Although it was never necessarily their intention, Faith No More are often credited as one of the key pioneers that helped lay the groundwork for nü-metal. The band’s fusion of heavy metal, alternative rock and hip-hop elements throughout the late ’80s helped open doors for a new generation of artists who would later blend similar styles.
Many nü-metal bands have cited Faith No More as a major influence over the years, including Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch, who recently discussed the band’s importance to his own musical development. However, Mike Patton has historically been more hesitant to embrace that connection.
Speaking with Metal Hammer in 2001, Patton questioned why so many nü-metal acts pointed to Faith No More as an influence:
“I’m not sure why these nü-metal bands say Faith No More influenced them. I mean, do you hear anything of what we did in what they’re doing now? I think it’s quite a stretch of the imagination.”
Patton later added:
“I personally don’t want to be held responsible for the swill they’re putting out into the world.”
In more recent years, Faith No More have shared stages with some of the bands that grew from the nü-metal movement, suggesting Patton’s relationship with the genre may have softened over time.
Now, ahead of Tomahawk’s upcoming summer tour with Melvins, Osborne and Tomahawk guitarist Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard) discussed musical influence and legacy during an interview with Consequence.
Denison explained that he believes the term “influence” is often used too loosely:
“I think that the word influence is misused. I think maybe we inspire them to play, but I don’t think we influence their music.”
He continued by describing true influences as the people and experiences that introduce artists to new sounds and ideas, rather than simply bands that are publicly cited as inspirations.
Osborne then shared a humorous story involving his longtime friendship with Patton, explaining how he used to tease the Faith No More vocalist about their respective legacies:
“I used to have a joke with [Mike] Patton, ’cause he’s called influential as well. And I would go, ‘I’ll take Nirvana and Soundgarden and you can have Limp Bizkit and Korn.’ He’s like, ‘Fuck you.’ [laughter] That was always funny.”
The Melvins leader also shared his thoughts on the overall sound of nü-metal, stating that much of the genre ultimately traced back to Helmet in his opinion.
“The first thing I always want to say when somebody says it is don’t blame me. I didn’t make you make this music… This is the seeds of what I’ve sown and it’s far worse than what I could have ever imagined.”
Despite joking about his connection to the genre, Osborne acknowledged that artists cannot control how their music is interpreted or where their influence eventually leads.
“I’m certainly not thinking of that when I’m writing music; ‘This is going to be so influential’ — I don’t think about that at all, but I think about all the stuff that influenced me. Sure. I can name a thousand bands that I’ve taken something from or got inspired by.”
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[Via ThePRP]
