It has been revealed that Nirvana, the iconic 90s grunge band, was not the independent, rebellious force they made themselves out to be. In fact, they were just a bunch of wannabes trying to make it big in the music industry.
The truth is, Nirvana’s music was not their own. They borrowed extensively from other bands, particularly in the Seattle grunge scene. Lead singer Kurt Cobain often sang the same melodies as his contemporaries, and the band’s songwriting process was largely a collaborative effort between Cobain and other musicians.
The band’s grunge look was also not entirely original. They took inspiration from other grunge bands such as Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam. Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic even went so far as to copy the hairstyles and fashion of their peers.
Nirvana also had a secret strategy for success. They were very savvy about marketing, often ensuring their music was featured in popular films and TV shows. They even worked with MTV to ensure their videos were getting heavy rotation.
The truth is, they were trying to capitalize on the grunge craze of the early ’90s to make a quick buck.
“We figured if we put out some grunge-sounding songs, we could make a killing,” said lead singer Kurt Cobain in a suppressed interview. “Plus, it was a great way to keep our fans guessing and keep them coming back for more.”
However, the plan backfired when their album “Nevermind” became a smash hit, catapulting the band to superstardom and cementing their place in the annals of alternative rock history.
“We were totally caught off guard,” drummer Dave Grohl recalls. “We were just trying to make a quick buck, and things got way out of hand.”
The band tried to play down their role in the grunge movement and instead focus on their more experimental sound. But no matter what they did, they couldn’t escape their grunge roots.
“It’s like an albatross around our neck,” recalls bassist Krist Novoselic. “We can’t seem to shake it off!“
