So you think you know: the ‘Nirvana’ edition

Nirvana, an iconic grunge music group from Aberdeen, Seattle, is still selling records. It has been 30 years (including 2023) since their last studio album, In Utero, released. But the band that was originally referred to as the voice of a generation has found fans across several generations. From studio records to live albums, their music is being heard by millions irrespective of the radical shift in how music is consumed in the present. The tragic death of Nirvana’s chief lyricist, lead singer as well as primary songwriter, Kurt Cobain, spawned dozens of conspiracy theories based largely on assumptions. Looking past Cobain’s death and purely at the group’s enormous success, their music skyrocketed after the global success of their second album, Nevermind. After Nirvana disbanded post-Cobain’s death, it did open doors for others including the likes of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. It also led to the birth and continuous success of post-punk, rock outfit, Foo Fighters that features two members of Nirvana after Cobain’s death: Dave Grohl as the singer, songwriter, chief guitarist and leader, and Pat Smear (of Germs) as an additional/rhythm guitarist.Pat Smear had joined Nirvana as an additional guitarist after Nevermind released. He performed with them during tours as a solid guitarist, which allowed Kurt Cobain to focus on his singing with tricky guitar parts often played by Pat Smear. Okay, over to the music.

1. What Nirvana tale is true about the
group’s iconic MTV Unplugged Sessions
performance?

A) MTV was afraid that the band would sing ‘Rape Me’, which was their most controversial song at the time.

B) The group refused to sing their biggest hit, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ deliberately, as decided by Kurt Cobain even though executives from the channel pushed them to do so but they didn’t budge.

C) Kurt Cobain also acted as art director and didn’t want the set to look like any previous performance by another act. It was on his insistence that the stage was designed like a funeral with stargazer lilies, black candles and a crystal chandelier.

D) Apart from Kirst Novoselic, who played the accordion on some songs in addition to the usual instruments, Nirvana added The Meat Puppets as a supplementary band for three songs as well as cellist Lori Goldston. They even performed a gospel number.

E) All of the above

2. From the following original Nirvana songs, which number did they perform around the world because it was a fan favourite and simultaneously irritated Kurt Cobain from performing it more often than not.

A) ‘You Know You’re Right’

B) ‘Heart Shaped Box’

C) ‘Lithium’

D) ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’

3. Which Batman movie
[not directed by Chris Nolan]
featured Nirvana’s popular track, ‘Something in The Way?

A) Batman v Superman:
Dawn of Justice (2016)

B) The Batman (2022)

C) Justice League (2017)

D) Batman (1989)

4. ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ is a David Bowie song that is synonymous with Nirvana since they performed it for the first time. Which other song is a famous cover by the grunge band that is often considered an original but is in fact a cover song?

a) ‘Sliver’

b) ‘Heart Shaped Box’

c) ‘All Apologies’

d) ‘Something in The Way’

Answers

1. E) But this question is rigged because all of it is true. The performance is still hailed as one of the best in MTV’s Unplugged Sessions’ history.

2. D) The single from Nevermind, their second album, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ put the band on the map, at home and abroad. Due to its popularity, Nirvana was expected to perform it during every concert, festival or club. But Kurt Cobain skipped performing it whenever he could.

3. B) The Batman (2022) featured Robin Pattinson in the titular role and was helmed by Matt Reeves. And yet, ‘Something in The Way’ by Nirvana was a part of the soundtrack and emerged as the best thing in the otherwise meandering film.

4. D) Because, ‘Something in the Way’ is an old American song by Lead Belly and Nirvana is not the first act to cover it although they converted the song into their own in such a way that many fans don’t know it isn’t an original when it was performed and featured on their second and most popular album to date, Nevermind.