King Buzzo rocks Scion Fest in Downtown Pomona May 17
Roger “Buzz” Osborne (AKA King Buzzo) is the last one standing in his former group, The Melvins. He will be displaying some new music at this year’s Scion Festival in downtown Pomona on Saturday, May 17.
His love for punk rock eventually formed after his love for listening to Aerosmith and Ted Nugnet started at age 12. His most distinctive quality is his large afro-like hair, which gives him that extra edge but there’s more to his music than meets the hair. He was also a high school friend with Kurt Cobain.
OC Concert Guide had the chance to talk to Buzz about his first solo record and past and future musical endeavors and adventures.
OCCG: This is your first time touring as a solo artists, how does it feel compared to performing as the Melvins?
Buzz: Well… You’re up there all alone and that can be a bit shattering I suppose but I’m obviously not afraid of looking stupid in front of lots of people. Ha! With the Melvins proper there are a lot of other things going on stage that I can hide behind so it’s “easier” I guess. I’m still new at this and it’s a learn as you go deal.
OCCG: You¹re about to release your first solo record, This Machine Kills
Artists, why did you decide to do this now, some 30+ years into your career?
Buzz: A lot of reasons really. Some I feel comfortable talking about and some that are personal issues that have nothing to do with music that I don’t feel comfortable discussing.
The main and really only important issue is that I’m not afraid of a good challenge. This is fun to do and I have no lack of material.
OCCG: If you hadn’t pursued music, what would you be doing right now?
Buzz: I’d be a professional baseball player or a sheet metal worker or maybe a professional salad eater. Maybe I would have been able to wrangle getting paid for doing nothing more than denting a seat cushion.
OCCG: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Buzz: I have about 100 shows to play all over the world and a new Melvins album scheduled for the fall plus even more Melvins shows then.
OCCG: What have been the high and low points in your lengthy career?
Buzz: High points are the prolific nature of how I’ve behaved and the low points would be any number of things from touring with the likes of White Zombie to haveing Dennys screw up my order.
Getting ripped off by indi labels isn’t fun and neither is having friends kick the bucket as a result of a wide variety of bad behavior.
It’s been a weird trip and all will be included in my book! Ha!
OCCG: Are there any other bands you¹re looking forward to seeing at Scion
Rock Fest?
Buzz: The only bands I know that are playing are Big Business, Crowbar and Red Fang, so I’m looking forward to seeing them…