Nirvana’s Bootleg Grunge Years: The Music Story
Contents
A look at Nirvana’s bootleg grunge years and the music that made them one of the most important bands of the 90s.
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The Beginnings
Nirvana was a grunge rock band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. The band was founded by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. Nirvana’s first album, Bleach, was released in 1989 on the independent label Sub Pop. The album was not a commercial success, but it helped to establish the band’s reputation as a vital part of the emerging Seattle grunge scene.
Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic start Nirvana
Cobain and Novoselic had known each other since 1985, when the two formed the founding lineup of Nirvana. The pair had astromative songwriting partnership, with Cobain typically laying down the lyrics and Novoselic crafting the melodies. With drummer Chad Channing, Nirvana released its first album, Bleach, in 1989 on the independent label Sub Pop. Although Bleach was made for less than $600, Cobain later said that he would never wish to make an album that cheap again.
The band’s sound—a unique blend of pop hooks and crushing punk-rock guitars—Finds its immediate origins in Mudhoney’s “Touch Me I’m Sick.” Bleach was produced by Jack Endino—a key player in Seattle’s nascent grunge scene who had also worked with Mudhoney and Soundgarden—and featured a rawer punk sound than many of its contemporaries. Along with such releases as Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation and Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, Bleach paved the way for alternative rock’s rise to mainstream prominence in the early 1990s.
The first album, “Bleach”
Nirvana’s first album, Bleach, was released on June 15, 1989, on the independent record label Sub Pop. The album was produced by Jack Endino and features the band’s first hit single, “Love Buzz”. Bleach was recorded in December 1988 and January 1989 at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California.
The Mainstream Success
Nirvana was one of the most successful grunge bands of the early 1990s. They achieved mainstream success with their album Nevermind, which was released in 1991. The album went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide. Nirvana’s follow-up album, In Utero, was also a commercial success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. The band’s final album, MTV Unplugged in New York, was released posthumously in 1994 and became a top-ten album in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
“Nevermind” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
In 1991, Nirvana released their second album, Nevermind. The album quickly shot to the top of the charts, thanks in large part to the breakout success of its lead single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The song’s music video became a dominate force on MTV, and the album went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide. Nevermind cemented Nirvana’s status as one of the biggest bands of the early 1990s, and Grunge as one of the most popular genres of music.
“In Utero”
Nirvana’s third and final studio album, In Utero, was released on September 13, 1993. The album was a departure from the pop-oriented sound of Nevermind, with a more abrasive and aggressive approach. Despite this, the album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and selling nearly six million copies in the United States. In Utero would go on to be named one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
The End
Nirvana was one of the most influential grunge bands of the early 1990s. They brought the genre to the mainstream with their 1991 album, Nevermind. Nirvana was also one of the first grunge bands to achieve commercial success. However, the band’s popularity was short-lived. Nirvana dissolved in 1994 after the death of their lead singer, Kurt Cobain.
Kurt Cobain’s suicide
Kurt Cobain’s suicide is one of the most tragedy in music history. On April 8, 1994, Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle, Washington. He had shot himself in the head with a 20-gauge shotgun. He was 27 years old.
Cobain’s suicide came as a shock to the music world. He was one of the most talented and influential musicians of his generation. His band, Nirvana, had changed the sound of rock music forever. And Cobain himself was a true rock star: handsome, charismatic, and immensely talented.
In the years since his death, much has been written about Cobain and Nirvana. But the full story of their rise and fall has never been told--until now.
The legacy of Nirvana
Nirvana’s music went on to have a profound impact on popular culture, fashion, and art after the band’s demise. A number of artists have credited Nirvana with inspiring them musically, while others have acknowledged the band’s impact on their own personal lives.
Fashion designer Marc Jacobs has said that “Nirvana definitely changed my life”, and that Cobain’s style was an inspiration for his own work. In 2012, Vogue published an article which proclaimed that “Nirvana Shirts Are the New Punk Tees”, and noted that Nirvana merchandise had become popular among fashion-conscious teenagers.
Several noted visual artists have also acknowledged Nirvana’s influence. American artist Shepard Fairey stated that Nirvana “were hugely influential, not just to me but to an entire generation of artists”. British artist Sam Taylor-Wood has said that she was a “huge fan” of Cobain, and that his suicide was a “wrenching loss”.
