NiRvAnA MiNi BiOgRaPhY

Nirvana were the first band known as "grunge" to achieve multiplatinum success, ushering in the era of Alternative Music which dominated music in the first half of the 90's. Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar) met Chris Novoselic (born Krist Novoselic) (bass) in 1985 in Aberdeen, WA. They formed a band called the Stiff Woodies, with Cobain on drums, Novoselic on bass, and a rotating cast of guitarists and vocalists. The group went through numerous name changes, before deciding that Cobain would play guitar and sing. Drummer Chad Channing joined in 1986 and by 1987, the band was called Nirvana. The band's demos caugh the ear of Jonathan Poneman, one of the founders of the Seattle-based indie label Sub Pop. Poneman signed Nirvana, and in December of 1988, the band released their first single, a cover of Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz", followed by the band's debut album, Bleach, which was released in the spring of 1989. Bleach became a hit on college radio, and sold 35,000 copies.

In this period Dave Grohl, formerly of the hardcore band Scream, replaced Channing as Nirvana's drummer. That summer, the band signed with DGC. Nirvana recorded their second album, Nevermind, which was released in September, supported by a quick American tour. Nevermind became a surprise hit due to the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit," when the video was placed in heavy MTV rotation. In early 1992, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" had reached the the American and British Top Ten and the album had been certified triple platinum.