Los Angeles

The Mandrake, 2692 La Cienega, Culver City, Los Angeles. Drawing by Cameron Jamie

New York critic-curator, Bob Nickas, is leading the crusade for the world’s discovery of The Melvins, a band that’s long been revered in the art world.

More than thirty artists made album covers for The Melvins, the influential band that brought together metal, punk, and primordial riffs, giving the world, for better or worse, Nirvana and grunge. Many of the works will be shown in the band’s hometown, Los Angeles, at the newest art world watering hole, the Mandrake bar. Why The Melvins?

Longtime favorite of many artists, The Melvins have at times operated more like those artists than a rock band. The 60s credo, “Art is to change what you expect of it,” definitely applies to them. For  over twenty-plus years—they formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1983—they have continually…