Nirvana (Cobain Lives)
Nirvana | |
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 Nirvana in 1996; from left to right: Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Aberdeen, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | Grunge, alternative rock, punk rock, vaporwave, R&B, progressive rock, synth-pop, anti-folk, folk, art rock |
| Years active | 1987-1994; 1996-present |
| Labels | Sub Pop, DGC, Geffen, Merge Records |
| Spinoffs | Foo Fighters |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | Nirvana.com |
Nirvana is an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success in the 1990s popularized alternative rock, and they are often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X. Their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock culture.
In the late 1980s, Nirvana established itself as part of the Seattle grunge scene, releasing its first album, Bleach, for the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. They developed a sound that relied on dynamic contrasts, often between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses. After signing to major label DGC Records in 1991, Nirvana found unexpected mainstream success with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the first single from their landmark second album Nevermind (1991). A cultural phenomenon of the 1990s, Nevermind was certified Diamond by the RIAA and is credited for ending the dominance of hair metal.
Nirvana is one of the best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 255 million records worldwide. During their three years as a mainstream act, Nirvana received an American Music Award, Brit Award and Grammy Award, as well as seven MTV Video Music Awards and two NME Awards. They achieved five number-one hits on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and four number-one albums on the Billboard 200. In 2004, Rolling Stone named Nirvana among the 100 greatest artists of all time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2014.
Following extensive tours and the 1992 compilation album Incesticide and EP Hormoaning, the band released their highly anticipated third studio album, In Utero (1993). The album topped both the US and UK album charts, and was acclaimed by critics. Nirvana went on a two year hiatus following Cobain's suicide attempt in April 1994. Further releases were overseen by Novoselic, Grohl, and Cobain, who had recently divorce and got a restraining order against Courtney Love. The live album MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) won Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards.
Frontman Kurt Cobain stayed out of the public eye and lived a quiet life, spending time with his daughter and focusing on his personal interests outside of music, hinting in interviews that he would eventually return to the music scene. Cobain also oversaw compilation album releases with his bandmates while on hiatus. Those who interviewed Kurt asked if he would reunite Nirvana, usually telling the interviewer or interviewers that the decision to reunite the band was yet to be determined. He stayed away from drugs and other harmful substances for his own good. Instead of music, Cobain wrote poetry and visited family and friends during this period in his life. During this period in 1995 after recording some demos, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, and William Goldsmith would form the short-lived band the Foo Fighters and release their only studio album, Foo Fighters (1995). From late 1994 until 1996, Cobain would record acoustic material from his home and would keep the recordings in his bedroom on a shelf, with a few of the demos going on to be included on Nirvana's fourth album, Ashes to Ashes (1996). Several more home recordings would go on to be released on to compilation albums, Nirvana (2002), Kurt: The Home Recordings (1994-1996) (2007), and Icon (2010). Cobain's scoliosis would become less of a problem around this time, getting medicated and visiting a chiropractor once every few weeks.
Nirvana made a comeback in 1996 with the release of their fourth studio album, Ashes to Ashes. The album saw a departure from the band's trademark heavy grunge sound, instead incorporating elements of a softer acoustic and alternative rock sound. Kurt Cobain's personal experiences and his growth as an artist became the center of the album, with the songs showcasing a more intricate and introspective side of the band. The album was met with positive reviews from critics and fans alike, with some even hailing it as one of Nirvana's best works. In 1997, the Foo Fighters would break up after a single studio album, so Dave and Krist could focus more on Nirvana related projects, since Dave's band hadn't been active since 1996.
The band's reunion marked a turning point for Cobain. He was able to put his personal turmoil behind him and focus on making music again. The band's success with Ashes to Ashes proved that Nirvana was still relevant and could adapt to the changing landscape of the music industry.
The band continued to tour and perform together but Cobain's artistic ambitions pushed him in new directions. During the later half of the 90s, Cobain began exploring other creative outlets, including visual art and sculpture, which allowed him to express himself in new ways, even sell his art and showcase it. Despite his varying interests, Cobain remained committed to the band and his music, and his contributions continued to shape Nirvana's sound and direction throughout the rest of their career.
In the early 2000s, after the release of the albums Violet (1998) and Start Over (2001), Nirvana continued to experiment with their sound and sign with Merge Records, incorporating R&B and folk elements into their music and moving away from grunge entirely with their seventh studio album, Transcendence (2004), a collaboration with Audioslave that showcased a new direction for the band, highlighting their continued growth and evolution as musicians. Unlike the group's last few albums. Despite Nirvana's continuing popularity, the band lost some of its relevance in the 2000s due to the rise of newer bands such as Linkin Park. Nevertheless, Nirvana's impact on the music industry remains significant to this day.
As the 2010s rolled around, Nirvana delved even further into new musical styles, incorporating elements of art rock and anti-folk into their work. Their eighth studio album, Rebellion (2011), was a departure from their previous work, with the band exploring more political and socially conscious themes in their music, along with an R&B, hard rock, and pop sound, inspired by Pink Floyd's music and their recent collaboration with Audioslave. The album is a collaboration with Beck, who changed the musical direction of the band shortly after the album had been released. Nirvana would continue to use this sound along with vaporwave, anti-folk, and art rock in their future singles and albums.
Despite their experimentation, Nirvana remained true to their roots, with their music occasionally remaining grounded in their punk rock and grunge foundations. The band's dedication to their craft and their willingness to take risks with their music made them one of the most beloved and respected bands of their time.
Thanks to their change in style, Nirvana in recent years has regained relevance thanks to their modern music, which had been popularized over the years by multiple news sites and content creators using their music.
Discography
- Bleach (1989)
- Nevermind (1991)
- In Utero (1993)
- Ashes to Ashes (1996)
- Violet (1998)
- Start Over (2001)
- Transcendence (2004)
- Rebellion (2011)
- Black Star (2013)
- A New Age Symphony (2018)
- Old Age (2021)