Welcome back to Musical Disclosure! This week, we're diving into a band that, despite their short career, left an indelible mark on contemporary music history.

 

The story of Nirvana begins in the town of Aberdeen, Washington, in the late 1980s. In 1985, a young Kurt Cobain meets Dale Crover and Greg Hokanson, forming Fecal Matter. Together, they record some home demos, including "Illiteracy Will Prevail," featuring tracks like "Downer" and "Spank Thru," which would later become part of Nirvana's repertoire. The pivotal moment arrives with the introduction of Krist Novoselic, a passionate punk bassist. A new project is born, initially dubbed The Stiff Woodies, soon transformed into the legendary name Nirvana, chosen to evoke a sense of peace in contrast to their surroundings. After their first concert, Chad Channing joins as the drummer. Nirvana's first single, a cover of Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz," is released by Sub Pop Records in 1988, receiving positive feedback. The following year sees the release of their debut album "Bleach," produced by Jack Endino and also on Sub Pop. Heavily influenced by Melvins and sludge metal, the album's title derives from an anti-AIDS campaign urging drug users to disinfect needles with bleach. The lineup evolves with Dave Grohl joining on drums, following a period of changes that included names like Dale Crover and Dan Peters. With the intervention of Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and guidance from manager Susan Silver, Nirvana transitions from Sub Pop to a major label, signing with Geffen Records.

 

Today's listening recommendation is "About a Girl."