This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Eyehategod are has released relatively few albums but are one of the best known sludge metal bands. guitarist Jim Bower and vocalist Mike IX Williams have been steady core members of the band. Drummer Joey LaCaze remained part of the core line up until his death in 2013. He was replaced with Aaron Hill who has been in the band since. Mark Schultz was on guitar for one album and later bass for another until 1995. Brian Patton stepped in on guitar and was with the band from 1993-2018. Bass players have changed for every album starting with Steve Dale, Vince LeBlanc, Daniel Nick, and Gary Mader who has remained with the band the longest and will be the first bassist to play for two consecutive albums. Writing has always been collaborative.

(On a side note, I think Mike named every band he’s ever heard of and as he put it “I could go on for years. I’m a fan of the underground, and the list is endless.” Congratulations to him because I don’t think I’ve ever had to list so many bands for one person.)

Billie Holiday

Willie Nelson

Hank Williams Jr.

The Rolling Stones were the grittier sounding rock band of the 60’s. Mike named them as one of the first band he got into as a kid.

The Who were a super influential rock band from the 60’s. Mike named them as one of the first band he got into as a kid.

Merle Haggard

Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential guitar players. Jimmy named him as a main influence.

Roky Erickson

Alice Cooper is one of the original shock rockers. Mike named him as one of the first bands he got into as a kid.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. Mike named them as an influence and one of the first band he got into as a kid. Jimmy named Tony as one of his main influences.

David Allen Coe

Aerosmith are an American blues based hard rock classic. Mike named them as a band he was into early on and said they took every everything in his life at the time.

New York Dolls were an important glam / proto-punk band. Mike named them as an influences.

Lynyrd Skynyrd are one of the most well known and most influential southern rock band. Jimmy said for three years it was all he listened to. He named Steve Gaines, and Allen Collins as influences.

Kiss are one of the biggest hard rock bands out of America. Mike and Jimmy named them as an early influence.

Motorhead are hard rock / heavy metal legends with a punky attitude. Mike named them as an influence.

Ramones are the fathers of punk. Mike named them as an early influence.

Sex Pistols are one of the pioneers of punk and super important despite their short time together. Mike named them as an early influence.

The Saints were one of the earliest punk bands coming out of Australia. Mike named them in his incredibly long list of influences.

Germs are on of the earliest punk bands to branch into hardcore. Mike named them as a big influence, particularly with Gi.

Dead boys were an early punk rock band. Mike named them as an influence.

Throbbing Gristle are pioneers of industrial. Mike named them as an influence.

Suicide were a electronic duo who were the fore-fathers of industrial, and synth-punk styles. Mike named him in his unending list of influences.

The Pagans were an underground early punk band. Mike named them as and influence.

Eater are another punk band named in Mike’s incredibly long list of influences.

Devo were super important for new wave which is wat they are best known for. Mike named them as a band he was into early on.

The Scientists were a post punk band. Mike was into them.

Pere Ubu are a hard to describe band with styles labled avent-rock, art punk and their self named avent-garage. Mike is a fan.

Public Image Limited or PiL were a post-punk band. They were an influence named by Mike.

UK Subs were a punk rock band. They are one of the bands named by Mike.

Negative Trend were a punk band with a fitting name. Mike named him in his incredibly long list of influences.

The Blessed was a teen punk band. Mike named them in is never ending list of influences.

Discharge were an influential hardcore punk band that leaned on the heavier side. Mike named them as an influence.

Iron Maiden are one of the most influential metal band. Mike named them as an influence.

Flipper was a punk band that played lower and slower compared to the peers. They were an influence on Mike.

Hollywood Brats were a glam / proto-punk band from the early 70’s although none of their recordings would be released till the late 70’s / early 80’s. This was after their break up. Mike named them among his never ending list of influences.

Black Flag are one of he most influential and well known hardcore punk bands as well as pioneers. Mike named them as a huge influence on him.

The Obsessed were an early doom / heavy rock band in the vein of Sabbath. Although they formed in the late 70’s they wouldn’t release their first album until 1990. Mike named them as an influence on the band.

Venom are the fathers of the original form of black metal. Mike named them as an influence.

Disorder were a hardcore punk band. Mike named them as an influence.

Bad Brains are pioneers in hardcore punk although they are not fans of the categorization. Mike named them as a huge influence and said he would keep a tape of their first album on him.

SPK are an industrial band. When picking eight favorite albums, three of them were SPK.

The Birthday Party were a post-punk band. Mike named them as a band he was into.

Testors was a punk band with few releases while they were together. Mike is a big fan.

Witchfinder General are one of the first Doom metal bands to follow in the path laid by Black Sabbath. Mike named them as an influence.

Violent Apathy were a hardcore punk band. They are one of Mike’s punk influences.

The Fix were a hardcore punk band. They are one of Mike’s influences.

Kilslug took hardcore into a slow and doomy direction which is referred to as dirge punk. Mike said they was the band that made him want to start a band like Eyehategod.

Corrosion of Conformity started as a hardcore/crossover thrash band before playing southern metal later. Mike said they were a band they listened to in the early days.

Exodus are one of the earliest of the bay area thrash bands. Mike named them as an influence.

The Fuck-ups were a hardcore punk band. Mike named them incredibly long list of influences.

Stains were an early hardcore punk band. Their first and only album was recorded in 1981 but not released till 1983. They are credited as being a bridge between hardcore and metal before the emergence of thrash. Mike named it as a big influence.

Sonic Youth were a experimental rock band that came out of new wave. Mike was into them.

Saint Vitus are an early Doom band with roots from the late 70’s although they would release their first album till 1984. Mike named them as an influence on them.

D.R.I. are one of the best known corssover thrash bands. They are an influence named by Mike.

Agnostic Front were a influential hardcore punk band and pioneers in crossover thrash. Mike named them as an influence.

Butthole Surfers are an experimental rock band. Brian named them as one of his favorite bands.

Carnivore are best known as Peter Steele’s first band. Musically they was very much in the vain of a band like Venom. Mike and Brian named them as an influence on them.

Celtic Frost are a big influence on extreme genres of death and black metal. Mike and Brian named them as an influence on them.

Bathory are the fathers of the modern version of black metal. Brian named them as an influence.

Death are considered the fathers of death metal by many. Mike named him among his huge list of influences.

Voivod are known for their more progressive style of thrash. Mike named them among his influences.

Pentagram are another Doom band with roots that go much farther back than their first album. Mike and Jimmy named them as an influence on them.

Laughing Hyenas are mostly a garage rock band. Mike named them as an influence on them.

Soundgarden were grunge pioneers. Mike said they were listening to a lot of them when doing the second album.

Jane’s Addiction are alternative rock pioneers. Mike said they were listening to them a lot when doing the second album.

Confessor are a progressive/technical Doom band. Mike named them as an influence on them.

Disrupt were a grindcore band. Mike named them as an influence.

Deicide are a classic blasphemes death metal band. Mike named them among his long list of influences.

Sleep are a doom band often known as a “stoner” band because of their drug related themes. Mike named as an influence.

When asked about creating the sound of sludge (which he doesn’t like the term), Mike said they stole the sound from bands that did it before them: Melvins, Black Flag, Trouble, and Saint Vitus.

Mike said they are all fans of blues. He says he grew up in the punk scene but there was an influence from the local blues and jazz. He says he got into jazz through is older brother and was into Billie Holiday, Keith Jarrett, and Pharoah Sanders. He said he also was into Reggae and Dub.

Mike says he was into NWOBHM, crossover and thrash but didn’t name any bands except those noted above.

Jimmy said he grew up with outlaw country that his dad listened to like Willie Nelson, Hank Jr., David Allan Coe, and Merle Haggard.

Jimmy is also the drummer of Down. His drum influences include Hank William Jr.’s drummer who also played with Elvis, Vinnie Appice, and Bill Ward.

Mark Schultz played guitar on the first album and bass on the second. I’m unsure of his influences.

Steve Dale was the bassist for the first album. I’m unsure of his influences.

Vince LeBlanc was the bassist on the third album. I’m unsure of his influences.

Daniel Nick was the bassist on the fourth album. I’m unsure of his influences.

Gary Mader is the longest running and current bassist of the band. He grew up into hardcore punk. He was in high school jazz band but said it didn’t hold his interest. He says he is really into delta blues. He says he is more influenced by styles than individual players.

Joey LaCaze was the original drummer and played in the band till his death in 2013. I’m unsure of his influences.

Aaron Hill filled the drum spot and has been with the band since. I’m unsure of his influences.

Bands influenced by Eyehategod!

As this project advances, bands will be added here…

More Family Trees

Sources:

https://www.revolvermag.com/music/eyehategods-mike-ix-williams-8-albums-made-me#bad-brains-bad-brains-1982
https://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-mike-ix-williams-eyehategod/
https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/music-interviews/eyehategod-interview/
http://www.uncivilrevolt.com/2020/10/mike-ix-williams-of-eyehategod-interview/
https://cvltnation.com/mike-hates-life-an-interesting-2008-mike-ix-williams-eyehategod-interview/
https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2011/07/15/brief-interviews-with-nihilistic-men-vol-1-jimmy-bower-eyehategod-down/
https://www.metalsucks.net/2008/04/14/brian-patton-of-soilent-green-and-eyehategod-the-metalsucks-interview/
http://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=18523

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Melvins are an important band being pioneers of Sludge Metal. Since the earliest recordings has been the founder, guitarist/vocalist Buzz Osborne and drummer (and at one time bassist) Dale Crover. Bassists have not been that consistent. The vast majority of music has been written by Buzz, but occasionally writing was more collaborative. During the 90’s albums became more collaborative with Buzz sharing writing with Dale and bassist Mark Deutrom. The following decades would see other bassists that would be more collaborative as well. Contributions will be noted below.

Miles Davis

Maurice Jarre

David Bowie took rock to new places. Buzz named him as a huge influence.

The Rolling Stones are rock legends with a bluesy swagger. Buzz named them as an influence and said the album Sticky Fingers is the epitome of what makes rock & roll cool. Dale named Charlie Watts as an influence. — The Rolling Stones are rock legends with a bluesy swagger. Buzz named them as an influence and said the album *Sticky Fingers* is the epitome of what makes rock & roll cool. Dale named Charlie Watts as an influence.

Pete Townsend

Neil Young

Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential guitar players. Buzz named him as an early influence and Dale named Mitch Mitchell as an influence.

The Monkees were a rock / pop band put together for a TV show. Dale said his first rock album as a kid was a Monkees album and it had a big impact on him.

Creedence Clearwater Revival or CCR played folky/country style of rock often called roots rock. Buzz is a huge fan and named Bayou Country as one of the best rock albums. Jared also named them as a big influence. — Creedence Clearwater Revival or CCR played folky/country style of rock often called roots rock. Buzz is a huge fan and named *Bayou Country* as one of the best rock albums. Jared also named them as a big influence.

Deep Purple were hugely influential to many. When asked about Black Sabbath, Buzz said he was just as much into Deep Purple if not more so. Dale named Ian Pace as an influence. Jared said they were a band played a lot in the house when he was grow… — Deep Purple were hugely influential to many. When asked about Black Sabbath, Buzz said he was just as much into Deep Purple if not more so. Dale named Ian Pace as an influence. Jared said they were a band played a lot in the house when he was growing up.

Blue Cheer were a hard psychedelic blues based band. Buzz at one time mentions them being some of the only hippies he liked.

Jeff Beck is considered one of the guitar greats of his time. Dale named Jeff Beck Group drummer Mickey Waller as an influence.

Alice Cooper is one of the original shock rockers rooted in hard rock but has dabbled in several styles. Buzz on several occasions mentions being a fan. Dale named Neal Smith as an influence.

The Stooges are considered proto-punk. They had a big influence on the early punk bands. Dale named them as an influence, particularly he named Scott Asheton.

Led Zeppelin can be considered the fathers of hard rock and are one of the biggest bands of any time. Dale named John Bonham as an influence.

Mountain were an influential hard blues rock band. Dale named Corky Laing as an influence.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of heavy metal and doom. Buzz named them as an influence but often down plays how much of an influence they were on the band and says they were but one of a thousand influences. He named their first album as his favor… — Black Sabbath are the fathers of heavy metal and doom. Buzz named them as an influence but often down plays how much of an influence they were on the band and says they were but one of a thousand influences. He named their first album as his favorite from them. He also says he is a fan of the Dio era and *Heaven & Hell* is probably the Sabbath album he listens to the most. Dale named Vinnie Appice as an influence.

Cactus was a bluesy hard rock band formed by members of Vanilla Fudge. Dale named Carmine Appice as an influence.

ZZ Top are a blues based rock / hard rock band. Buzz named them has an influence.

The sweet were an influential hard/glam rock band. Dale named Mick Tucker as an influence.

Tom Waits

Aerosmith are an American rock classic. Buzz named them as one of the band he listened to when he was young and still.

Judas Priest are often called the metal gods for good reason. They may just be the most quintessential heavy metal band. Buzz is a fan and named Unleashed In The East as probably the best metal album of all time. Dale also named that album as a big influence and named Les Binks as a big influence on him. Coady named Judas Priest as an influence.

Kiss are one of the biggest American rock / hard rock bands. Buzz named them as a band he listened when he was younger but not so much anymore. They have covered Kiss and released EP’s emulating the solo albums released by KIss. Dale named them as… — Kiss are one of the biggest American rock / hard rock bands. Buzz named them as a band he listened when he was younger but not so much anymore. They have covered Kiss and released EP’s emulating the solo albums released by KIss. Dale named them as a big influence as a kid and was the first band that made him want to play drums after first seeing them at the age of 9. Coady named Peter Chris as and influence, also naming Alive II as having a big impact on him. Trevor also named them as an influence.

Ramones are pioneers and legends of punk. Buzz named them as an early influence. He says they are a band he likes but a band he would never want to emulate.

Sex Pistols are pioneers and legends of punk. Buzz was a fan.

Blondie started as a rock/pop band and is best well known for their new wave punk hits. Dale named Clem Burke as an influence. Trevor also named them as an influence.

The Clash are super important pioneers of punk and helped shape some of the evolution it would take. Buzz was a fan.

Public Image Limited or PiL was a post-punk band Buzz was into. He says he was listening to Flowers of Romance a lot when making the first album. Dale also named the same album as a big influence. — Public Image Limited or PiL was a post-punk band Buzz was into. He says he was listening to *Flowers of Romance* a lot when making the first album. Dale also named the same album as a big influence.

X were a an influential LA Punk band. Buzz was a fan.

Gang of Four are a post-punk band that Buzz said he was into. He mentions listening to Solid Gold a lot when making the first album. Dale named Hugo Burnham as an influence. — Gang of Four are a post-punk band that Buzz said he was into. He mentions listening to *Solid Gold* a lot when making the first album. Dale named Hugo Burnham as an influence.

Flipper was a punk band with a low end and slower sound compared to other punk bands. Buzz named them as an influence.

Iron Maiden has been one of the most influential metal bands. Dale named Clive Burr as an influence.

Black Flag are one of the most important hardcore punk bands. Buzz named them as an influence and has said that in the early days they were more of an influence than Black Sabbath. Dale named Bill Stevenson as an influence.

Venom are the fathers of traditional black metal and a huge influence on all extreme forms of metal that would come after them. Buzz said they were really into Venom in the early days.

T.S.O.L are mostly known as a hardcore punk band. They also were doing horror punk, goth and other styles. Buzz was a fan.

Meat Puppets started has a hardcore punk band but experimented with adding some country into the mix and later when to a more alternative rock sound. Buzz said he was listening to Meat Puppets II when recording their first album.

Butthole Surfers were based in hardcore punk but were experimental and their sound varied a lot. Buzz named them as a big influence and two of their members would perform on Hold it In. — Butthole Surfers were based in hardcore punk but were experimental and their sound varied a lot. Buzz named them as a big influence and two of their members would perform on *Hold it In.*

Swans were an experimental rock band. Buzz says they were a band he was listening to a lot when recording the first album.

Pussy Galore were a garage/noise rock band. Buzz became a big fan after tour with them in the late 80’s. He talks about Jon Spencer being a very underrated guitar player.

Buzz said skinhead punk was big when they started and that they hated it. He said they wanted to do something totally opposite.

Besides musical influences, Buzz also named painter Francis Bacon, director John Huston, writer Flannery O’Connor and Thomas Sowell as influences.

Buzz, in another interview, said he is a fan of The Beach Boys.

Buzz and Dale are both big fans of Red Kross who’s bassist would join the band in 2015. They used to listen to their cover album in their early touring days.

In recent years Buzz has said “my attitude has been I want to be Captain Beefheart, George Clinton and Tom Waits going through a Mixmaster playing heavy metal.”

Bassist/guitarist Mark Deutrom played and wrote with the band through the 90’s. I’ve seen him talk about being part of the LA punk scene and some had rock bands he liked, but I haven’t found him directly giving and answer to the influence question. He says he first got into music after seeing The Beatles on TV as a kid.

Bassist Kevin Rutmanis was on several album but only has co-writing credits for one song.

The album PIgs of the Roman Empire is a collaborative album between Melvens and Lustmord. Following that There were to collaborative albums done with Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys.

I’m unsure of the writing credits on (A) Senile Animal and Nude with Boots

Drummer Coady Willis and bassist Jared Warren were both formally in the band Big Business before joining Melvins. They both were with the band from 2005-2016 and collaborated with writing during that time.

Coady Willis’s influences include Kiss, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, and Ratt. He also is influenced by Dale.

Jared Warren’s influences include Cheap Trick and Creedence Clear Water Revival.

Trevor Dunn played bass and collaborated on writing on Freak Puke and a few songs on following albums. He names influences as Kiss, Blondie, Cheap Trick, Van Halen, college radio and the Dr. Demento show. He also names Mercyful Fate, Exodus, Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, composer Vincent Persichetti, Rush and Stanley Clarke of Return to Forever.

Paul Leary wrote and played three songs on Hold It In. I’m not sure of his influences but his overall contribution to the Melven’s sound is relatively small.

Three Men and a Baby was a collaborative album done with Mike Kunka.

Basses Loaded features a bunch of bass players both former members of the band guests and new player Steven McDonald.

Steven McDonald stayed with the band after playing on Basses Loaded and continued to play and collaborate in writing on following albums. His influences include James Jamerson, Joe Osborn.

Bands influenced by Melvins!

As this project advances, bands will be added here…

More Family Trees

Sources:

https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/buzz-osbornes-top-5-influences/
https://www.revolvermag.com/music/melvins-buzz-osborne-10-albums-made-me#neil-young-%E2%80%93-zuma-1975
https://www.revolvermag.com/music/melvins-buzz-osborne-10-albums-made-me#lawrence-arabia-original-soundtrack-recording-1962
https://15questions.net/interview/fifteen-questions-interview-buzz-osborne-melvins/page-1/
https://music.avclub.com/melvins-buzz-osborne-picks-songs-by-bands-that-were-g-1798265299
https://www.westword.com/music/buzz-osborne-of-the-melvins-on-how-the-beastie-boys-were-warlock-pinchers-for-dummies-5707943
https://originalfuzz.com/blogs/magazine/buzz-osborne-the-greatest-minority-of-all
https://homeofmetal.com/why-i-love-black-sabbath-king-buzzo/
http://www.markprindle.com/kingbuzzo-i.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPmgpvZKwys
https://tidal.com/magazine/article/dale-crover-5-albums-that-changed-my-life/1-44373
https://echoesanddust.com/2018/10/dale-crover-of-the-melvins/
https://www.the-dowsers.com/playlist/dale-crovers-favorite-drummers/
https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2014/08/mark-deutrom-interview.html
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/big-business-time-and-heat/
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/big-business-time-and-heat/
http://utahpodcastnetwork.com/2017/06/22/stupid-questions-048-coady-willis-big-business/
https://15questions.net/interview/fifteen-questions-trevor-dunn/page-1/
https://www.invisibleoranges.com/heavy-metal-be-bop-3-interview-with-trevor-dunn/
https://bassmagazine.com/artists/bass-magazine-lockdown-check-in-with-steven-mcdonald-of-the-melvins

Eyehategod Family Tree

Billie Holiday

Willie Nelson

Hank Williams Jr.

Merle Haggard

Roky Erickson

David Allen Coe

Bands influenced by Eyehategod!

Melvins Family Tree

Miles Davis

Maurice Jarre

Pete Townsend

Neil Young

Tom Waits

Bands influenced by Melvins!