Nirvana FAQ

All That's Left to Know About the Most Important Band of the 1990s

John D. Luerssen

• Publisher: Backbeat
• Year: 2014
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781617135897
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music Biographies

Nirvana FAQ traces the band from its genesis to its end. Founded by friends Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, Nirvana had a rocky start and a succession of drummers, but by the end of 1990, its debut album, Bleach, had garnered international attention and the group's sixth drummer, Dave Grohl, had joined the fold.

Following its mentors Sonic Youth to Geffen Records, Nirvana had hoped for modest success. Instead came unexpected wealth and fame on the strength of 1991's Nevermind and its iconic, breakthrough single "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Success didn't sit well with Cobain, who began to numb the stresses of rock stardom with heroin. Despite 1993's hit album In Utero, Cobain's unhappiness became increasingly apparent. His suicide in April 1994 shocked the music world and put an end to a band at the height of its popularity.

Nirvana FAQ answers such questions as, What guitar teacher did Cobain and Novoselic have in common? Where did Cobain record his first demo? What was the cause of his first arrest? How was second guitarist Jason Everman hired and fired? What was the name of Grohl's first band, and where did he meet Cobain and Novoselic? Who is "Teen Spirit" about? How did Nirvana's war with Guns N' Roses begin? And more.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Foreword: Another Curt
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction: Bring Your Friends
• 1. Maybe Just Happy: Kurt Cobain’s Childhood
• 2. Teenage Angst: Cobain’s Teen Years
• 3. Memoria: Krist Novoselic’s Childhood
• 4. Take a Look at Who You Are: Novoselic’s Teen Years
• 5. I Can Bend It, I Can Shape It, I Can Mold It: Fecal Matter and More
• 6. Smile on Your Brother: Kurt and Krist Align
• 7. She Eats Glue, How About You? March 1987–March 1988
• 8. Can You Feel My Love Buzz? Nirvana on 45
• 9. Fill Me In on Your New Vision: Bleach
• 10. Let Me Take a Ride: Nirvana’s First National Tour
• 11. It’s Something Else, It’s Something New: Fall 1989
• 12. Bruises on the Fruit: From “Sappy” to “Sliver”
• 13. Spring Is Here Again: Getting with Grohl
• 14. Son of a Gun: Dave Grohl’s Childhood
• 15. Six Color Pictures, All in a Row: From Freak Baby to Scream
• 16. I’m Lucky to Have Met You: Gettin’ with Geffen
• 17. All Our Pretty Songs: Nevermind
• 18. Here We Are Now, Entertain Us! Building a Buzz
• 19. For This Gift I Feel Blessed: Blowing Up
• 20. Don’t Expect Me to Lie: Controversies
• 21. Married, Buried: Far East and Too Far Gone
• 22. Appreciate Your Concern: Vanity Fair, Reading, and the VMAs
• 23. All the Kids Will Eat It Up If It’s Packaged Properly: Incesticide
• 24. Here in My Place of Recovery: Death Threats, Demos, and Calamity
• 25. It Was All Here Yesterday: Influences
• 26. We Spoke of Was and When: True Stories
• 27. One More at the Door of My Heart: In Utero
• 28. All in All, the Clock Is Slow: Dysfunction at Home
• 29. I’m So Tired, I Can’t Sleep: Back to the Push and the Pull
• 30. What Else Should I Be? Unplugged and Unraveling
• 31. End It Someday: Checking Out
• 32. Never Speak a Word Again: The Aftermath
• 33. Find Your Place: Life Beyond Nirvana
• 34. We Can Have Some More: Posthumous Releases
• 35. Steamed Hot Towel on My Face: Twenty-One Random Nirvana Facts
• Selected Bibliography