A BRIEF HISTORY OF NIRVANA
Nirvana wasn’t supposed to be the band that started a rock
revolution.The famous Seattle band started out as just another hardcore band
from just another town.There was never any reason to believe that Nirvana would
become anything special, but one day it just happened…and the rest is history.
KURT BEFORE NIRVANA
Kurt D. Cobain was born on February
20, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington.His father was a mechanic and his mother a
housewife.Kurt had many musicians in his family and was introduced to guitar at
an early age.His parents divorced when Kurt was quite young.Some time after his
parents divorce, Kurt moved in with some relatives.Later Kurt would refer to
this time in the lyrics to “Sliver”.At some point Kurt turned to vandalism as
an outlet for his frustrations.It is also notable that Kurt was homeless on one
or more occasions in his life.At times he would try to sneak into his mother’s
house for the night.When there was nothing else, he made his home under the
North Aberdeen bridge that spans the Wishkah River not far from his mother’s
home.This time in Kurt’s life would be reflected in the lyrics to “Something in
the way”.
Kurt bought his first guitar on his 14th birthday in
1981.He began creating his own music and became increasingly interested in pumk
music.At some point Kurt began taking formal guitar lessons and eventually
gained the acquaintance of a band called the Melvins.It was through the Melvins
that Kurt and Krist first became good friends in the fall of 1985.They played
in a few Melvins side projects together, the Stiff Woodies and Fecal Matter.
Niether of these two projects lasted long and only a few demos were recorded.Eventually
Kurt and Krist formed their own band, NIRVANA, with drummer Aaron Burckhard.
KRIST BEFORE NIRVANA
Krist Novoselic was born in Compton, California on May 16,
1965.His parents were immigrants from Croatia.In 1979 the Novoselic family
moved to Aberdeen, Washington.Krist never really fit in with anyone in
Aberdeen, which caused his parents to send him to stay with some relatives back
in Croatia.It was then, that Krist became interested in punk music,
particularly the Sex Pistols, and the Ramones.Back in the United States, Krist
became quite a partier.Krist also became interested in playing guitar, and for
a short time was taking lessons from the same teacher as Kurt.Eventually Krist
met Melvins singer, Buzz Osbourne, and began working working musically with the
Melvins.One such project, the Stiff Woodies, would feature Krist as lead
vocalist and Kurt Cobain on drums.
DAVE BEFORE NIRVANA
Dave Grohl was born Warren, Ohio on January 14, 1969.
In 1975 his parents divorced, and Dave stayed with his mother. He grew up in
Washington D.C. and was influenced by the flourishing punk music scene there.
He started playing guitar at a young age and would beat on pillows (or anything
else available) with drumsticks when he couldn’t play guitar. Some of his early
bands included Freakbaby, Mission Impossibly, and Dain Bramage. When Dave was
17 he joined the band Scream as a drummer. Things were going good with Scream
until September 1990 when bassist, Skeeter, suddenly left the band mid tour in
Los Angeles. The rest of scream were stranded in L.A. with no money and no bass
player. At this same time Nirvana was in search of yet another drummer. Kurt
and Krist had seen Dave perform with scream and had admired his style and
precision. Dave accepted Nirvana’s offer to be a part of their band.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF NIRVANA
Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Aaron Burckhard formed NIRNANA in
December of 1986. The following spring they would play their first gig at a
party in Raymond, Washington. In January 1988, Just over a year after forming
NIRVANA recorded a ten song demo with producer Jack Endino, the “Godfather of
Grunge.” Jonathan Poneman of Seattle record company Sub-Pop heard the tape,
which led to the printing of the bands first single. Soon After, Aaron
Burckhard left the band and was replaced by Dave Foster. Dave was with the band
for a very short time and was replaced by Chad Channing. Finally, in November
of 1988 Sub-Pop released the “Love Buzz/Big Cheese” single. In January 1989
Jason everman joined Nirvana as a second guitarist. At this time NIRVANA
recorded their first album “Bleach” with producer Jack Endino. Total cost for
the recording was $606.17. “Bleach” was released by Sub-Pop in June of 1989,
and NIRVANA began a short tour of the United States. In October of 1989 NIRVANA
embarked on about a six week tour of Europe supporting the Seattle band Tad.
Then in the spring of 1990 NIRVANA went on another brief tour of the United
States. At this tour’s end, drummer Chad Channing left the band. Mudhoney’s Dan
Peters helped out on drums at the September 22nd show, and on the 25th
Dave Grohl, who would remain with NIRVANA until the end, joined the band. In
October of 1990 Nirvana left for a brief tour of England supporting L7. Then
NIRVANA signed with the major label DGC Records, and in May and June of 1991
recorded their album “Nevermind” with producer Butch Vig. “Nevermind” was
realeased on September 24, 1991. On October 12, 1991 “Nevermind” is certified a
gold album. NIRVANA toured Europe in November of 1991 as their popularity grew
rapidly back in the United States. It was at this time that the “Smells Like
Teen Spirit” video first appeared on MTV. NIRVANA’s explosion into the
mainstream had begun. On return to the United States, NIRVANA played three
shows with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Pearl Jam. Then on January 11, 1992
“Nevermind” hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. NIRVANA toured Hawaii,
Japan, and Australia in early 1992 and toured Europe in the summer of 1992. It
was in April 1992 that NIRVANA first appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone.
NIRVANA’s third album, “Incesticide,” was released on December 15, 1992. This
album was a collection of b-sides and rarities from earlier recordings. In
February of 1993 Nirvana began recording their final studio album “In Utero.”
In April of 1993 NIRVANA played the famed rape victim benefit concert. Then on
September 21, of 1993 Kurt’s masterpiece, “In Utero,” is released. Nirvana
became the first band to perform twice on Saturday Night Live on September 25,
1993. This was Pat Smear’s first performance with the band as a second
guitarist. He stayed with the band throughout the In Utero tour. On November
19, 1993 Nirvana performed their semi-acoustic show for “MTV Unplugged.” Not
long after they played what would be the final U.S. show on January 7, 1994 at
the Seattle Arena. On February 6 NIRVANA embarked on the European In Utero
tour. During this tour it was evident during some shows that Kurt was losing
heart. Not long after NIRVANA’s return to the U.S. Kurt was reported missing,
and on April 8th, 1994 Kurt was found dead at his home.
KRIST AFTER NIRVANA
Always a political thinker, Krist formed JAMPAC (Joint Artists
and Music Promotions Political Action Committee) in early 1995.This is an
organization devoted to protecting artists’ freedom of expression and
consumers’ freedom of choice.Shortly after Krist formed JAMPAC, Sweet 75 played
it’s first gig in Seattle.Sweet 75’s self-titled album was released in 1997.The
band broke up in 1999 while working on their second album.Krist also broke up
with his wife Shelli in 1999.Currently Krist still updates his website www.murkyslough.com and does other
political type stuff.
DAVE AFTER NIRVANA
While a member of Nirvana, Dave had written and
recorded several of his own songs between tours and recording sessions.These
songs eventually became the material for the first Foo Fighters album,
essentially a Dave Grohl solo album.Soon after the official studio work was
done on Foo Fighters debut album, Dave formed the actual band.Pat Smear, who
had been Nirvana’s 4th member during the last few tours, joined the
Foo Fighters as a guitarist.Nate Mendel (bass) and William Goldsmith (drums)
would complete the original Foo Fighters lineup.In 1997 the Foos released their
second album “The colour and the Shape” and in 1999 released the album “There’s
Nothing left to Loose”.The line up of the Foo Fighters has undergone several
changes, and the current members are Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, and Taylor
Hawkins on drums.
