I just heard Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are‘ on the radio. Kurt Cobain and I has had an intriguing relationship, primarily because I grew up in a strong diet of hard rock and heavy metal.
There is no doubt in my mind that Cobain is a musical visionary that has a special place in the history of contemporary music. But to put in a cruder form, he was at the right place and the right time.
In 1991, when ‘Nevermind‘ was released, the heavy metal world was almost at a point of self destruction. The music had become trite and unimaginative, the newer bands emerging were finding it harder and harder to chart new grounds of innovation, and the established bands like were slowly becoming a self-parody of themselves, with the Scooby Doo vocals and faux-tormented lyrics. Only a few stalwarts managed to distance themselves from the chaff, like Metallica and Megadeth.
Glam rock itself was even worse, killing itself with the drugs, sex and turf wars. Everyone was getting tired of the same old same old, every band was the same spandex, bleached hair, mascara and party-hearty music.
And so the emerged the grunge messiah in the form of Messrs. Novoselic, Grohl and Cobain.
Cobain was a troubled soul, with a chamber full of disturbed lyrics about alienation, self doubt and broken hope, plus he had decent guitar skills and a half-decent voice. But again, to say the timing of his emergence was impeccable was an understatement. Had it not for Kurt, it might have been Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, Evan Dando of the Lemonheads (another casualty 0f alternative music) or even Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins (ok, that last one was unlikely).
My favourite track has always been ‘Heart-Shaped Box’. I distinctively liked ‘In Utero’ better than ‘Nevermind’, and perhaps if he didn’t commit suicide he would have made a few more good albums. But you know, they always say some people become more famous dead than alive, and the image of Kurt’s sprawling body on the floor, wearing the Converse shoes, will forever remain in my mind.
Nirvana was a great band, but perhaps deep down in my rock ‘n roll heart, I may have not have forgiven them entirely for killing off the last vestiges of the dinosaur named heavy metal.
15 Comments
yuin
point taken, but there are many as they say ‘revolutionary’ heavy metal bands now like the terribly mainstream SOAD or soulfly. its not dead, merely reborn and shadowed by punk.
anjali*
Nice one there, Simon. I was so into Kurt Cobain that I once named my Arowana fish Kurt! Heh.
mama22beas
I remember when I got the news of Cobain’s death, felt like having a void inside me. It really mattered that time! But at least he left behind a daughter (besides his influence in music), Francis Bean…
Shan
Gawsh I remember when grunge invaded. I was still stuck deep into Metallica and then Nirvana came along and blew my mind. So many bands I used to love – Temple Of The Dog, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, Alice In Chains – my brother was in Seattle at the time. I used to score major cool points with my mates when I used to get cds and stuff from him of grunge bands over there.
And yes, I too wore plaid shirts with Doc Marten boots. And yes, I thought I was so cool. Heh Heh.
Grunge Is Dead
Nirvana is the greatest Buddhist rock band in the world just like POD for gospel rock.
HCFoo
I was a die hard fan of Kurt Cobain too. He was the reason why I don’t have to wash my hair for weeks back then.
Verne
I’m actually having a nostalgic moment with a generous buffet of Nirvana. The Unplugged sessions on my iTunes.
Wonderful.
Cobain. You are God.
coppersnare
SOAD terribly mainstream? Never heard that before. I think their music is kinda unique.
I’m more into the old skool rock, was never into grunge and alternative and all that. All this while still listening to Deep Purple, Led Zep, RUSH, etc.
simon
yuin – soulfly is poor shadow if sepultura. very sad.
anjali – i hope you’re fish didn’t commit suicide too!
mama22beas – i dread to think what will the daughter grow up to be brought up by the mother courtney love.
shan – you’re a ‘Lica fan? Wow, we have so much in common!! Pushing it a little, what about Helloween and Manowar?
grunge is dead – sadly POD hasn’t really lived up to their potential.
hcfoo – ahaha! a lot of my friends blame cobain for themselves being sloppy!
verne – would that be “from the muddy banks of the wiskah”? 🙂
coppersnare – yeah still think SOAD are unique. wow you also listen to old skool? We should hook up some time!!!
coppersnare
Hey what else do you listen to? Browsing thru my collection I’ve found:
Deep Purple, Led Zep, RUSH, AC/DC, Uriah Heep, Mr Big, KISS, Black Sabbath, Frank Zappa, Van Halen, Yes, MSG, Dream Theater, etc etc.. and of course Mat Rockers’ favorite: Scorpions.
Simple Plan/Yellowcard/those teeny boppy bubble gummy rock bands can kiss their asses, hehe
mama22beas
Hahaha Simon, we got same wavelength la…thought of saying it yesterday but changed my mind!
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simon
thanks. tried to keep it short. 🙂
Nicole
i love him so much hes my boy twin!
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