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"Take
your time
hurry
up
the
choice is yours
dont
be late
take a
rest
as a
friend."
"I
found it hard
it was
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oh
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"It's
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leaving
as soon
as you
get paid"
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I
was a big Nirvana fan a few years back. My
favourite Nirvana album is Nevermind, and favourite
track "On a Plain" from that album. WIthout doubt
the most influential band of the decade. Without
Nirvana, there would be no Oasis.
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Formed in
Aberdeen, Washington, USA, in 1988, the Nirvana the MTV
generation came to love comprised Kurt Cobain (b. Kurt
Donald Cobain, 20 February 1967, Hoquiam, Washington, USA,
d. 5 April 1994, Seattle, Washington, USA; guitar/vocals),
Krist Novoselic (b. 16 May 1965, Croatia, Yugoslavia; bass)
and Dave Grohl (b. 14 January 1969, Warren, Ohio, USA;
drums). Grohl was ‘something like our sixth
drummer’, explained Cobain, and had been recruited from
East Coast band Dain Brammage, having previously played with
Scream, who recorded for Minor Threat's influential Dischord
label.
Nirvana's
original drummer was Chad Channing; at one point Dinosaur
Jr.'s J. Mascis had been touted as a permanent fixture,
along with Dan Peters from Mudhoney. Having been signed by
the Seattle-based Sub Pop Records, the trio completed their
debut single, "Love Buzz"/"Big Cheese," the former a song
written and first recorded by '60s Dutch group Shocking
Blue. Second guitarist Jason Everman was then added prior to
BLEACH, which cost a meagre $600 to record. Though he was
pictured on the cover, he played no part in the actual
recording (going on to join Mindfunk, via Soundgarden and
Skunk). The set confirmed Nirvana's ability to match heavy
riffs with melody and it quickly attracted a cult following.
However, Channing left the group following a European tour,
and as a likely replacement proved hard to find, Dan Peters
from labelmates Mudhoney stepped in on a temporary basis. He
was featured on the single "Sliver," Nirvana's sole 1990
release. New drummer David Grohl reaffirmed a sense of
stability.
The
revamped trio secured a prestigious deal with Geffen Records
whose faith was rewarded with NEVERMIND, which broke the
band worldwide. This was a startling collection of songs
that transcended structural boundaries, notably the
distinctive slow verse/fast chorus format, and almost
single-handedly brought the ‘grunge’ subculture
overground. It topped the US charts early in 1992, eclipsing
much-vaunted competition from Michael Jackson and Dire
Straits, and topped many Album Of The Year polls. The
opening track, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," reached the UK Top
10, further confirmation that Nirvana now combined critical
and popular acclaim. In early 1992 the romance of Cobain and
Courtney Love of Hole was sealed when the couple married
(Love giving birth to a daughter, Frances Bean). It was
already obvious, however, that Cobain was struggling with
his new role as ‘spokesman for a generation’.
The first
big story to break concerned an article in Vanity Fair that
alleged Love had taken heroin while pregnant, which saw the
state intercede on the child's behalf by not allowing the
Cobains alone with the child during her first month. Press
interviews ruminated on the difficulties experienced in
recording a follow-up album, and also Cobain's use of a
variety of drugs in order to stem the pain arising from a
stomach complaint. The recording of IN UTERO, produced by
Big Black/Rapeman alumni Steve Albini, was not without
difficulties either. Rumours circulated concerning
confrontations with both Albini and record company Geffen
over the 'low-'fi' production. When the record was finally
released the effect was not as immediate as NEVERMIND,
though Cobain's songwriting remained inspired on "Penny
Royal Tea," "All Apologies" and the evocative "Rape Me."
His
descent into self-destruction accelerated in 1994 as he went
into a coma during dates in Italy (it was later confirmed
that this had all the markings of a failed suicide attempt),
before returning to Seattle to shoot himself on 5 April
1994. The man who had long protested that Nirvana was
‘merely’ a punk band had finally been destroyed by
the success that overtook him and them. The wake conducted
in the press was matched by public demonstrations of
affection and loss, which included suspected copycat
suicides. The release of MTV UNPLUGGED IN NEW YORK offered
some small comfort for Cobain's fans, with the singer's
understated, aching delivery on a variety of covers and
Nirvana standards one of the most emotive sights and sounds
of the '90s. Grohl formed the excellent Foo Fighters,
alongside ex-Germs guitarist Pat Smear (who had added second
guitar to previous touring engagements and Nirvana's MTV
Unplugged appearance), while Novoselic formed Sweet 75.
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