Museum of Popular Culture: Nirvana Taking Punk to the Masses in Seattle, Washington

Kurt Cobain named his group

Nirvana because he wanted

a pretty, beautiful name.

Grunge fuses the elements of hardcore Punk and Heavy Metal, characterized by guitar distortion, heavy drumming, and apathetic, angst-filled lyrics.  Grunge bands reject theatrical stage work and mainstream success.

 

Aberdeen, Washington native Kurt Cobain founded Nirvana, was the group'ss singer, wrote all the lyrics and most of the music.

The group included Bassist Krist Novoselic and Drummer Peter Grohl.

Kurt Cobain's untitled submission to

the 1984-5 High SchoolArt Show.

What title would you give this piece of art?

One year later Cobain and Novoselic started playing together.  Peter Grohl joined them after working with several other Drummers.  This group would become Nirvana.  In the late 1980s into the early 1990s  numerous Washington-based bands were distilling elements of Heavy Metal and mixing in aspects of Punk to create Grunge.  

Photos of the group appear behind memorabilia

Nazis Fuck Off Tee worn by Novoselic

1970s TEAC 4 Track Recorder

Cobain's Sears Electric Guitar 

Nirvana started touring in Washington in 1988. 

Kirst Novoselic's Ibanez Black Electric Bass Guitar

Tacoma Community World Concert Center.

March 19, 1988

Nirvana With Lush Poster

Nirvana's second album, Nevermind, took the band from obscurity regional group to nationwide acclaim.  Their touring increased to more sites in the US, shows in Canada, and across Europe.

Aberdeen, Washington native Kurt Cobain founded Nirvana, was the singer, wrote all the lyrics and most of the music.

Cobain's Univax Hi-Flyer Phase 3 Guitar

Kurt Cobain preferred less expensive guitars in the late 1980s because they were easy to replace after he smashed them on stage.  This guitar was used when the group recorded their first album, Bleach.

Kris Novoselic played this Gibson Ripper Bass

from 1993 - 1994.

Nirvana's Hit Songs include: Smells Like Teen Spirit, All Apologies, You Know You're Right, Lithium, and more.  

Melvins Nirvana Dwarves Derelicts Concert PosterNirvana's Fits of Depression Bikini Kill Concert Poster

Kurt Cobain's Sounds Tee Shirt

Nirvana performed Smells Like a Teenage Spirit on Saturday Night Live on January 11, 1992.

The model & Nirvana's In Utero

Album Cover

Kurt Cobain died by suicide on April 4, 1994, in his Seattle home. 

Music continued to change.  Alt-Metal and Rap Metal gained momentum in the late 1990s.