Nirvana lyrics and Nirvana guitar tabs, Nirvana pictures and biography

Vocal --- Kurt Cobain
Drums --- Dave Grohl
Base --- Krist Novoselic

Formed in Aberdeen, Washington, USA, in 1988, the Nirvana that the MTV generation
came to love comprised Kurt Cobain
(b. Kurt Donald Cobain, 20 February 1967, Hoquiam,
Seattle, USA, d. 5 April 1994, Seattle, Washington, USA; guitar, vocals),
Krist Novoselic
(b. 16 May 1965, Croatia; 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
Dave Brammage, having previously played with Scream, who recorded for Minor
Threat 's influential Dischord Records label. Their 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 contract 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 Fayre that alleged Love had taken heroin while pregnant;
this saw the state intercede on the child's behalf by not allowing the Cobains
alone with the child during its first month. Press interviews ruminated on the
difficulties experienced in recording a follow-up album, and also revealed
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
alumnus Steve Albini, was not without difficulties. 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,
although Cobain's songwriting remained inspired on 'Penny Royal Tea',
'All Apologies' and the evocative 'Rape Me'. His descent into self-destruction
accelerated in 1994, however, 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 were '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 cover versions and
Nirvana standards enduring as 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 the band's MTV
Unplugged appearance), following press rumours that Grohl would be working with Pearl Jam

(much to Courtney Love's chagrin) or Tom Petty. Novoselic formed Sweet 75 early in 1997.