When Buzz Osbourne saw a Frank Zappa concert in 11th grade, it had a profound effect on the man who would later found the Melvin’s.
“There were no breaks or time-wasting,” Osbourne said in an interview last week. “This was a band that knew what they were doing and cared about it. That’s how I treated the musicians I played with. I wanted everyone to know what was going on and not be a jam band just trying to figure out what to play.”
Osbourne is currently touring as King Buzzo with bassist Trevor Dunn, best known for his time with Mr. Bungle. They will perform live at White Eagle Hall on Sunday, September 1 at 8 p.m.
Although they’re known for their connection to experimental, hardcore punk, grunge and sludge metal among other genres, King Buzzo keeps it simple with Osbourne on acoustic guitar and Dunn on upright bass. However, Osbourne says if you’re expecting to hear the Melvins, look elsewhere.
“I have no idea what people want, but I know what I like, so I make music that I would like to hear,” he says. “Music is fluid and there is not just one way to do something.”
Osbourne is familiar with King Buzzo’s music, however, as he toured solo acoustically ten years ago and later recorded a solo album using an acoustic guitar and a modular synthesizer.
“I don’t think anyone has ever done that,” he says. “It sounded so good, and we had a whole tour planned before the pandemic and thrown it in with everything else. So it got delayed a bit.”
Osbourne has always felt great enthusiasm from fans in New Jersey when he performs in the Garden State in the past, but no matter where he is, he will give the audience the same energy he gives everyone else.
“Where I am doesn’t matter,” he says. “I have to be in a certain frame of mind and not think about the details. I’ve realized that a lot of the music I like doesn’t sell out stadiums, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. We play with a lot of different people and I want people to feel like it’s theirs. That makes you a happier musician.”
Kicking off the show at White Eagle Hall this Sunday is JD Pinkus, known for having been part of several punk bands throughout his career, and he also played bass on several songs from previous Melvins albums, including “Hold It In” (2014), “Basses Loaded” (2016), and “Five Legged Dog” (2021).
Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at whiteeaglehalljc.com. White Eagle Hall is located at 337 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
