Nirvana, to me, is a perfect name for the band. The dictionary definition of nirvana is “an ideal condition for rest, harmony, stability, or joy”. It is “the liberation from unhappiness…” This so accurately describes the band. Even though Kurt Cobain, lead singer of the band, expresses the depressions in his life through his lyrics, his music is quite the nirvana for many people.
Why Do People Love Nirvana?
Kurt Cobain is one of the best lyricists of all time. People of all ages can relate to his lyrics. For many, it is comforting when; even in their darkest hours, there is someone that expresses exactly how they feel. The lyrics of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana talk about a variety of subjects. From school, to rape, to sexism, Nirvana expresses their views in ways that no other bands do.
Why Do People Hate Nirvana?
Yes, there are people out there that despise Nirvana. Back when Nirvana was at its highest point, teenagers around the world had their speakers blasted with Nirvana’s music. It was a different sound than anything else coming out around this time. Although there were some grunge bands before Nirvana, it wasn’t popular until this time. Grunge, a style of rock music that incorporates elements of punk rock and heavy metal, wasn’t welcomed by many. Nirvana was also wrongly criticized for having “filthy” lyrics in songs such as “Rape Me” and “Polly”. In fact, “Rape Me” and “Polly” are both anti-rape songs. There are quite a lot of anti-rape and anti-sexism songs by Nirvana.
History of the Band
Nirvana was formed in 1987 by Kurt Cobain (lead singer) and Krist Novoselic (bassist) in Aberdeen, Washington. Krist Novoselic was born in California, but moved to Washington in his early years. Kurt was born in the town of Hoquiam Washington, and when he was six months old, he and his parents moved to Aberdeen. Krist and Kurt met in 1985. They used to go watch The Melvins practice. This inspired them to try to create their own band. After having a few failed attempts, they were finally successful at creating their own band when they recruited a drummer by the name of Aaron Burckhard. Their band name was A Gang of Four and Scratch Acid ripoff. They, however, were not happy with the drummer, so Burckhard was replaced with Dave Foster temporarily. They could not decide on a permanent name though. The band went through a series of names such as Skid Row, Pen Cap Chew, and Ted Ed Fred. They eventually decided on the name Nirvana. They then settled on a drummer. Chad Channing became the drummer.
Their first single was “Love Buzz/Big Cheese” in 1988 under an independent record label Sub Pop. The following year, the band released their first album Bleach. Bleach was a huge success. Bleach was very popular among college radio stations. Jason Everman, an American guitarist born in Alaska, supplied the band with the money for the recording session. Despite not actually playing on the album, Everman was credited for playing the guitar on Bleach. Novoselic said, they “wanted to make him feel more at home with the band.” Everman was later fired during the bands tour.
Nirvana’s music was beginning to change. In the early years, the band’s music was characterized by anger. This was no longer the case. The songs now are about relationship problems and emotional things with other human beings. Around this time, Chad Channing became frustrated. He frequently complained about not being involved in the songwriting. Channing then left the band. They hired Dan Peters, the drummer for Mudhoney, as the drummer to replace Channing. Shortly after, Buzz Osbourne of the Melvins introduced Nirvana to Dave Grohl. Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic were instantly amazed by Dave’s playing. It was an easy decision to make Dave Grohl the drummer. Dave Grohl became the most recognized drummer for Nirvana. After signing with DGC Records, the band released the album Nevermind. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became the first single on the album. Conjunctively, this song is Nirvana’s most recognizable song. The album reached number one on the Billboard album charts on January 11, 1992. Nirvana became one of the most talked about bands.
Kurt Cobain began his dysfunctional marriage with Courtney Love in February of 1992. Nirvana later played at the MTV Video Music Awards, in which their initial plan was to play “Rape Me”, but MTV didn’t like the idea so they had to play Lithium. Following their performance, the band released Incesticide, an album of b-sides and rarities. In 1993 the band released In Utero, an album with a very different sound. In an interview Kurt Cobain said that this album was closest to the sound that they’ve been trying to achieve since the beginning. In Utero debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart in September, 1993.
Kurt Cobain and His Death
Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967 in Hoquiam, Washington. Six months after his birth, he and his family moved to Aberdeen, Washington. Aberdeen was known for drugs and hookers at this time. Kurt developed an interest for music at an early age. Cobain’s parents divorced when he was eight. Kurt’s mother noted that Kurt became more withdrawn. He resented his parents for years. He was ashamed of them. He wasn’t much into sports, although, at his father’s insistence, he did wrestle in junior high. He’d intentionally get pinned to spite his father. And when his father signed him up for baseball, he’d strike out on purpose. Cobain was more into the arts. He loved to draw, even in class. People bullied Kurt in school. He had a gay friend, and homophobes would bully him assuming he was gay also.
Cobain and Kris began to go to concerts in Seattle. He particularly liked to see the Melvins. Two weeks prior to his graduation, Kurt dropped out of high school. He realized that he didn’t have enough credits to graduate. His mother told him he could either get a job or move out. He moved out. He’d stay at some of his friends’ houses and sometimes sneak into his mother’s basement. He also claimed to have lived under a bridge, but Novoselic said that he never actually lived under the bridge. He only visited it frequently.
In 1986, Cobain got his own residence. Cobain had a relationship with Tracy Marander. She is said to be the subject of the song “About a Girl.” After breaking up with her, Cobain began a relationship with Toby Vail. He was infatuated with her claiming that she was his female counterpart. However, the relationship did not last.
Throughout his life, Kurt had to deal with bronchitis and an undiagnosed chronic stomach condition which lead to him being malnourished. At the age of 13, he experimented with marijuana and LSD. During the mid 1980’s he began to do heroin which developed into a full-fledged addition. His addiction worsened over the years. In many interviews he speaks about how he is disgusted with his addiction and wants to be rid of it. However, through many attempts, he never completely rids himself of the addiction. It only worsened. On one instance, Cobain suffered an overdose. Instead of calling the ambulance, his girlfriend, Courtney Love, injected him with Narcan to bring him back to consciousness.
In an interview, Cobain says that he became tired of touring and making music. He repeatedly talked about how he didn’t like his status. He became depressed. During this time, he was having relationship problems with Love as well. On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Lake Washington home by an electrician who came to install a security system. A shotgun was found beside him along with a suicide note that said, in part, “I haven’t felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing . . . for too many years now. There are many conspiracy theories surround his death.
Nirvana after Kurt’s Death
After grieving over Kurt’s death, the remaining members mutually agreed that there isn’t Nirvana without Kurt Cobain and separated to do their own things. Dave Grohl started his own band The Foo Fighters, currently one of the top rock bands. Kris Novoselic had done everything from joining bands, and being a state committeeman. They both have been married twice. Dave is still touring and producing music for t The Foo Fighters. Kris, reportedly, is retired from music but remains active in politics. He currently rights a blog for the Seattle Weekly website.
The Band Members
Kurt Cobain – Guitarist and Vocalist
Krist Novoselic – Bass Guitarist
Dave Grohl – Drummer and Backing Vocalist
Former Band Members
Aaron Buckhard – Drummer
Dale Crover – Drummer
Dave Foster – Drummer
Chad Channing – Drummer
Jason Everman – Guitarist
Dan Peters – Drummer
Touring Members
John Duncan – Guitarist
Pat Smear – Guitarist and Backing Vocalist
Lori Goldston – Cellist
Melora Creager – Cellist
Conclusion
In my opinion, Nirvana is one of the greatest bands of all time. They are credited with popularizing grunge music. Many of the modern rock bands are influenced by them. Despite only using simple guitar riffs, Kurt Cobain is one of the most influential artists of all time. This band has a story, something that many bands these days lack. Kurt and Krist never knew they’d make it big, but they never gave up. They did something that very few bands have done… they stayed true to themselves.
Citations
Azzerad, Michael. Inside the Heart and Mind of Nirvana.” Rolling Stone. 16 Mar. 1992. 9 Oct. 2009 .
Libby, Brian. “Even in His Youth.” A Healthy Me. 9 Oct. 2009 .
“The Nirvana History.” Angelfire. 9 Oct. 2009 http://www.angelfire.com/clone/syxx/history.html.
