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Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. The band was founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. They experienced several changes in drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana was associated with the Seattle grunge scene and played a role in popularizing alternative rock. Their first album, Bleach, was released in 1989 on the independent label Sub Pop. The band's music was characterized by dynamic contrasts, often combining quiet verses with loud, heavy choruses. After signing with DGC Records in 1990, Nirvana achieved mainstream success with the single 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' from their second album, Nevermind, released in 1991. Nevermind was certified 13× Platinum in the United States and is credited with ending the popularity of hair metal. The band’s style incorporated a punk aesthetic and fused pop melodies with noise, often exploring themes of abjection and social alienation. Nirvana's influence extended beyond their active years, maintaining a significant following and impacting rock culture.
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Grunge was never one fixed sound. Start with Nirvana for melody, Green River for punk friction, Pearl Jam for grand choruses and Alice In Chains for a darker, heavier route.
Three archive conversations show how Green Day’s songs offered routes into punk, songwriting and self-definition for musicians with very different paths.
Dave Grohl recorded Foo Fighters largely alone in October 1994. Cassettes circulated under a concealed name, label interest followed, and a live line-up gave the songs a future beyond the studio.
Metallica made heaviness monumental, Nirvana made it volatile and Red Hot Chili Peppers put groove at its centre. Their 1991 records expanded guitar music in different directions.
Three rock-video entry points, from Robert Palmer’s immaculate image-making to Foo Fighters’ aviation comedy and Nirvana’s unruly gymnasium performance.
Begin with ‘THUM’, ‘595’ and ‘Cool Buzz’ for a route into Violet Grohl’s debut and the stories behind its key songs.
Tom Ogden found an early pull towards drumming in Blink-182 and Nirvana. Lee Wilson found his at King’s Lynn gigs, through Vanilla Pod and a Less Than Jake bass line.
Nirvana, Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails used a school gym, warped suburbia and abrasive industrial imagery to give three defining 1990s rock songs sharply different visual identities.
Across ‘Rocket’, ‘Pretty Face’ and ‘All My Life’, Robbie Williams and director Charlie Lightening give BRITPOP three routes through British pop memory.
After a hiatus, two founding-member departures and several experiments outside the band, Mark Holley rebuilt Black Foxxes around a new trio and a live-in-the-room approach.
Kelly Catlin’s ‘Kurt Cobain: Forever in Bloom’ will be published on 22nd September.
Snoop Dogg will host and executive produce this year’s MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles ceremony takes place on Sunday 27th September 2026.
The iconic group's surviving members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear performed 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' at the event.
Every Nirvana tour with five or more confirmed dates, with full setlist data and most-played songs.
