This week marks the 20th anniversary of the biggest “shock the world of rock music” record Nevermind.

Anyone with their screw on tight would know this fact and of the interest that still surrounds Nirvana.

One end of the scale were these three guys that, let’s face it, society would have called ‘oddballs’ with no real place, where would they have slotted into chasing the American dream? Before Nevermind blew up exceptions in a way no one could have predicted. Ever. No one. Not even the band (so I read, or had they?) They had a built up a reputation within the grunge scene in Seattle where angry Debut album Bleach was released on indie label Sub Pop.

Nirvana had to sell their soul and move onto major label DGC Records (home to Sonic Youth) where they found their love for loud heavy handed chorus and somewhat hush-able verses, all the Pixies. A little fact, Pixies last studio album Trompe Le Monde was released on the same day as Nevermind. It was meant to be.

Along came ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ one of the greatest anthems of our time. Then the rather radio friendly ‘Come As You Are’, then the ‘polished’ Nevermind was released. The world went crazy for Nirvana. Rock went crazy. Pop went crazy. The mainstream scene had been redefined by the ‘odd fits’

Everyone wanted in. All of a sudden the oddballs of society had been deemed the Kings of the indie-rock scene. Two years later the band final got down to the boogie and record third LP In Utero and embarked on a European tour. Which was later cancelled because of Kurt’s ‘health state.’ We all know what happened in April 1994, let’s move on. . .

Kurt Cobain

‘‘If you die you’re completely happy and your soul somewhere lives on. I’m not afraid of dying. Total peace after death, becoming someone else is the best hope I’ve got’’

Where are other members of Nirvana?

Dave Grohl went on to be one most respected men in music.He has been known to be the nicest man in the world of rock. Who would have thought a drummer would go on to front one of world’s the biggest rock bands?

Unlike Dave, Krist went onto not so much ‘big things’  he formed Sweet 75 who later split due to ‘creative differences’, then he went onto form Eyes Adrift. Not much happened. Krist has since played with Dave in Foo Fighters and announced he will perform Nevermind to mark the anniversary with local settle band

What Nirvana means to me.

Nevermind touched everyone in one way of another.I was a late burner by the time Nirvana had come around; when Nevermind hit the wavelengths I was still rolling around in my Pampers being fed. As I was growing up of course I heard ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ but being surrounded by family dreadful taste in music 80′s pop and dance-garage. I had no such luck, no chance of ‘learning.’ I used to secretly watching MTV and crave the chance to openly like rock music.You see being at an all girls’ high school; the theme was popular girls and double losers. At the time I was living an unhappy life of the popular girl, shopping, bleached hair, boy’s I never even fancied, drama and shite music. I won’t even call it music. Just utter shit.

I detested Destiny Child so much, that I would personally rub my ears off with a rubber. I hated shopping. I hated being a plastic Barbie doll. I hated chavy boys. I would go home and secretly listen to rock bands, The Rolling Stones (thanks Granddad) Nirvana and my teenager crush Eminem. My life changed the moment I heard Nevermind in full. I saw a different side to the world. The cool popular people were actually losers with no real ambitions.

I went to college, dyed my hair brown, said goodbye to pink and all my ‘friends‘ I spent the past five years loathing. I was me. Nevermind made me realise being cool was never cool. Be who you want to be. Not what society makes you think you have to be. Seven years later I am head high in guitar music, my hair is still brown, I am friends with the ‘oddballs’ and I’ve never worn a single item of pink. I don’t speak to a single person from school. I see them around occasionally. Most are overweight, single parents, think Lil Wayne is the sex; all look the same and hang with the same people. ‘Simone, you look different’ when after seven years you would think so huh? Nirvana made me grow up and still to this day I listen to them and will continue too. Oh, do I sound like a member of  the My Chemical Romance following?

My eight-year-old brother even knows who Nirvana are thanks to me. Screw you mum and your Duran Duran.If you are one who has not heard Nirvana fully, start with Nevermind then to my favourite In Utero. Nevermind is the ground breaking stand the fuck up, album. In Utero is more poetry; the struggles of Nevermind fame.  Come back to me and tell me you don’t feel different. Feeling brave? Listen to Bleach in the dark.

Enough about me. Everyone has a ‘what Nevermind done to me story don’t they?’ tell me yours. Please. I’m bored you with mine now you tell me yours. This is called sharing.

”I‘d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not” - A quote we should have live by.

And 20 years later the legendary continues to grow…

Peace,

Simone