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Demo Tapes Guide NIRVANA Demo Tapes

Pre-NIRVANA Demo Tapes NIRVANA Demo Tapes Kurt Cobain's 109 Tapes Updates Contact

A list of demo tapes recorded, compiled and distributed by Kurt Cobain/NIRVANA, 1987-1994. If you have any further information pertaining to items featured or omitted here, please contact us.

Warning about counterfeit material: There is an increasing amount of fake NIRVANA memorabilia on the market — hand-made demo tapes not withstanding — collectors are advised to exercise caution when presented with such items and to always independently research and verify the claimed provenance before investing any monies.

Pre-Bleach Demo Tapes

Title
Nirvana Demo / Montage of Heck
Tracklist
  1. Paper Cuts
  2. Downer
  3. Beeswax
  4. Aeroszeppelin
  5. Floyd The Barber
  6. If You Must
  7. Spank Thru
  8. Mexican Seafood
  9. Pen Cap Chew
  10. Montage of Heck (long version)
Sources
Tracks 1–9 recorded Jan '88 at Reciprocal Recording.
Notes
This tape was given to John Purkey for his personal enjoyment.
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Title
not known
Tracklist
  1. Blandest
  2. Mr. Moustache
  3. Sifting (instrumental)
  4. Blew
  5. Spank Thru
  6. Love Buzz
  7. Big Cheese
Sources
All tracks recorded Jun–Sept '88 at Reciprocal Recording.
Notes
This tape was given to John Purkey for his personal enjoyment.
Title
Touch N Go Demo
Tracklist
  1. Floyd The Barber
  2. Spank Thru
  3. Hairspray Queen
  4. Mexican Seafood
  5. Beeswax
  6. Beans
  7. Paper Cuts
  8. Big Cheese
  9. Love Buzz
  10. Aeroszeppelin
  11. Pen Cap Chew
  12. Montage of Heck (short version)
Sources
Tracks 1–5, 7 and 10–11 recorded Jan '88 at Reciprocal Recording; track 6 recorded '87–'88 at the Cobain residence.; tracks 8–9 recorded Jun–Sept '88 at Reciprocal Recording.
Notes
This tape was given to various labels — including Touch & Go Records — in an attempt to solicit a record deal.
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Title
not known
Tracklist
  1. Polly
  2. Seed
  3. Sappy
  4. When The Saints Go Marching In
  5. unknown title
  6. Clean Up Before She Comes
  7. Beans
  8. unknown title (instrumental)
  9. Montage of Heck (medium version)
Sources
Tracks 1–3 and 5–8 recorded '87–'88 at the Cobain residence.; track 4 recorded '87 at the Novoselic residence.
Notes
This tape was given to various friends for their personal enjoyment.
Title
Safer Than Heaven
Tracklist
-
Sources
-
Notes
This tape was given to various promoters and members of the press for the purpose of booking shows and getting interviews.
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Title
Nirvana
Tracklist
  1. Scoff
  2. Swap Meet
  3. Blew
  4. Love Buzz
  5. About a Girl
  6. Negative Creep
  7. School
  8. Big Long Now
Sources
Tracks 1–3 and 5–8 recorded Dec '88–Jan '89 at Reciprocal Recording; track 4 recorded Jun–Sept '88 at Reciprocal Recording.
Notes
This tape was given to John Purkey for his personal enjoyment.
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Pre-Nevermind Demo Tapes

Title
Nirvana - New Songs
Tracklist
  1. Immodium
  2. Pay to Play
  3. Sappy
  4. Polly
  5. In Bloom
  6. Lithium (mix 6)
  7. Dive
Sources
All tracks recorded April '90 at Smart Studios.
Notes
This tape was given to John Purkey so that he could learn the band's new material ahead of his audition.
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Title
Nirvana Demo
Tracklist
  1. In Bloom
  2. Immodium
  3. Pay To Play
  4. Polly
  5. Dive
  6. Lithium (mix 6)
  7. Sappy
  8. Blew
  9. About A Girl
  10. Love Buzz
Sources
Tracks 1–7 recorded April '90 at Smart Studios; tracks 8–9 recorded Dec '88–Jan '89 at Reciprocal Recording; track 10 recorded Jun–Sept '88 at Reciprocal Recording.
Notes
This tape was given to various labels — including MCA Records — in an attempt to solicit a record deal.
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