LIVE NIRVANA INTERVIEW ARCHIVE ?? ??, 1990 - ??, ??, US

Interviewer(s)
Chris Long
Interviewee(s)
Kurt Cobain
Publisher Title Transcript
Hollywood Rocks Nirvana Yes

Nirvana is the latest Seattle garage band to ink with a major label. Having built a very solid reputation in the Pacific Northwest, Nirvana recently signed with DGC / Geffen, giving the group their first chance to spread the Nirvana gospel worldwide.

This is a band ready to explode from the dark underground scene they currently rule. This here is Nirvana's first interview since penning the big deal, so read on and find out what's going on, at least according to leadman Kurdt Kobain; By Hot Rod Long

Let's start off with a little band history.

Actually, we started three years ago in a town called Aberdeen, about 70 miles from Seattle. It took a few shows to get the ball rolling and we got an even better response once the first single from our Sub Pop release was out, which was “Love Buzz” / “Big Cheese”.

Who were some of the other bands around Seattle at that time?

Mudhoney, Tad, Soundgarden.

Of those, which ones did you like jamming with the most?

I think we really compatible with Mudhoney - they're one of my favourite bands.

Who's in the band right now?

Dave Grohl on drums, Chris Novoselic on bass and Kurdt Kobain on guitars. We were a four-piece for a few months, but we don't really like to get into that because we weren't the same band we were before Jason Everman got in the band. A lot of people don't know he didn't play on the album - we put his name on the album to make him feel like a part of the band, but within a few months we kicked him out.

He's playing bass for Soundgarden now, right?

No, he got kicked out of Soundgarden, too.

Was the success of your Sub Pop material the reason for your deal with Geffen, or do you attribute that to the strength of your new demos?

It's probably a mixture of the two.

I heard your new demos over at Bret Hartman's office and they fuckin' rule.

Bret's a great guy!

Do you have a long-term deal with Geffen?

It's for seven records, but they have the option to drop us after two.

What's gonna be the title of your new record?

We're pretty sure we're going to call it Sheep.

Who's the A&R guy that signed you?

Gary Gersh.

You already have some touring experience, right?

Yeah, we've been on three major tours and we've been to Europe once and to England twice.

I saw you with Sonic Youth at the Palladium back in August. What was that like?

It was a big thrill for me because they've always been one of my favourite bands, so it was a fine experience. I couldn't even think of another band I'd rather tour with.

Who are some of Nirvana's influences?

The Pixies, REM.

But you don't sound much like either of those two.

I don't know. I can't think on those terms at all. It just comes out of us. (Our sound) is a mixture of different influences I've had over the years. Basically, I've been into punk rock for about seven years now, and that's always been my favourite form of music, but now I'm admitting that I like pop music because I used to really like The Beatles when I was a kid and I'm kind of reverting back to that, but I'm certainly not denying punk rock.

Do you think your newfound pop influences will change Nirvana's sound?

Not enough. We'll have a good mixture of sounds.

When Sonic Youth signed with DGC, people cried “Sell out!” Are you afraid that might happen to Nirvana?

If they do, then we don't want them in our audience. If people don't accept us the way we are and appreciate the things we do, then they can fuck off. Selling out to me means not compromising or not having the chance to compromise with the label.

What are the labels were in the hunt for Nirvana besides Geffen?

Capitol, MCA, Ireland, Beggars Banquet, PolyGram. Shit, I can't even remember all of them.

Why did you choose Geffen?

Sonic Youth being on the label had a lot to do with it, because the label has proven that they promoted Sonic Youth really well and the people that worked there really seemed to understand underground music.

Was this one of those big money record deals where all you guys went back to Seattle and bought new Corvettes?

Let me just say I just got done eating some macaroni and cheese. We're going in the studio next month to start recording the record, and look for it to be out around June.

Are you doing any shows before then?

We're going on the road with Jane's Addiction for some West Coast dates in late April.

Do you have anything to say to your fans?

Just be patient with the new record when it comes out because it's been a long time. And we're going to do a movie pretty soon, too. It'll be a surrealistic x-rated fantasy along the lines of Head by The Monkees. It'll be an acid trip on film.

© Chris Long, 1990