Nirvana's Forked Tongue

A few years ago when Kurt Cobain tragically shot himself with a shotgun or was murdered to make it look like suicide, a few changes happened involving the band. First, about a billion new fans came around saying they'd been listening to Nirvana since Bleach (Which, of course, they had not even heard). Second, the world lost a great musician and translater for our generation. And Third, Three guys had to deal with losing a great friend and inspiration. Pat Smear locked himself in his house and coped, eventually joining another former member in a band. Krist Novoselic and David Grohl both eventually went back to what they love, but in two very different styles.

Two years after the death of Kurt Cobain, a new band burst onto the scene with gusto, the Foo Fighters. Their debut album, self titled, was a shock to the music scene. With a blast of high speed guitar, screaming vocals with splashes of harmony, and curious lyrics, was the world ready for this monster? Dave Grohl wrote, sang, and played every instrument for the album and I believe only had help from the new members of his band in the end. He pulled in former bandmate Pat Smear for guitar, and other people to make a solid band. I saw them on their first trip around the block in late '95, when they played at Soma and it was a shock to see Dave singing, and playing guitar, such a difference from the apparently quiet man I saw in things like Nirvana Unplugged. You can hear some of the influences of Nirvana in a few of Foo Fighters songs, but that can't really be helped, 'cause they were in the band. Dave Grohl told Guitar World that Kurt and he used to practice guitar together. This band has obviously been a great help for David in dealing with the loss of Kurt Cobain.

Krist Novoselic, after a few years of grieving and dealing with life. Nirvana related projects such as getting the Nirvana Unplugged album out and other charity related things kept him busy. After being introduced to a Venezuelan singer, Yva Las Vegas, at a birthday party, Krist decided to get back in. After a couple of years of practice and touring, Krist and Yva popped into the scene a couple of days ago (08/26/97) with their self titled debut album for their new band, Sweet 75. This band might as well be a brand new band without a former member of Nirvana in it. With great 12-string guitar playing by Krist (very different from a 4 string bass), and the amazing voice of Yva, and songs averaging about five minutes, it's a definite departure from Krist's punk roots in Nirvana.

With these two major variances in style, the forks in Nirvana tongue, Krist and Dave both took something from their experience with Nirvana. They're branching popular music into two directions which are well worth hearing and experiencing.

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