Another Nirvana anniversary...

kurt of philippines Tue, Feb 10, 2009 at 02:47 AM EST

nirvana is the one and only grunge band i ever love so much.. peace to KURT COBAIN.

LUCY!! Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 07:34 PM EST

NIRVANA ES UNA MASA!!!KURT SIGUE VIVIENDO!!COBAIN I LOVE YOU!!! SOY LUCIA D SAN MIGUEL,BS.AS.ARGENTINA!

Micheal Riseley Wed, Mar 14, 2007 at 12:10 AM EST

There will never be another Nirvana... ever, not since the Beatles did a band have so much influence, not only on the entire music industry, but also on civilisation in general, people from all walks of life could relate to Cobains songs, and that doesn't happen everyday.... oh, and if one more person mentions heroin or suicide I'm gonna scream, the herion was to lessen the chronic stomach pains that plagued Kurt since a child... and suicide, pfft, well thats just impossible, dead men don't pull triggers and they certainly don't wipe fingerprints off the weapon

jake Tue, Oct 17, 2006 at 07:03 AM EST

There will never be a another NIRVANA. No band will change music and take it over as quick as NIRVANA.

Dania Tue, Oct 10, 2006 at 07:23 PM EST

Ther will never, I repeat, NEVER be another Nirvana. Period. Okay no period, but no one will ever have the talent, the potential, the WHATEVER you want to call it that Kurt had. No matter how great Panic! may be, or any of those other bands you see on MTV are, no band beats Nirvana. Nirvana changed the course (sp?) of rock music.

mark in nyc: "In today's musical climate - if Kurt WERE alive today - Nirvana's music would have faded away, replaced on the charts by cheap crapola ripoffs like Nickelback.
Lest we not forget who these cheap imitators got their influence from.
It was the genius of Kurt Cobain."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Maeve Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 09:24 PM EST

Ok, regarding what I said before about Whitney's blog entries being funny, that was really out of place in an entry about Nirvana. Sorry. I should have posted that somewhere else.

mary2 Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 09:13 PM EST

There was a another Nirvana. There was a band in the 60s named Nirvana. The memebers of this band acutally sued the band for using there name. Go to amazon or allmusic.com and type in Nirvana Uk to find out.

Maeve Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 05:46 PM EST

Maybe I'm just in a really good mood, but:

1. Gina, here here. Well said.

2. Whitney Pastorek, glad to see them giving you some more work at EW.com! Your blog entries are so funny and thought-provoking.

MJ Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 02:14 PM EST

I've said it before and I'll say it again--there will never be another Nirvana if the record industry has anything to say about it. Suicidal heroin addicts are just not a sound investment (and I am not even trying to be funny).

But there will be plenty more pre-packaged boy bands as soon as the next generation of squealing tween girls is identified by youth marketers.

Lauren Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 12:53 PM EST

I agree with you that all of these anniversaries are a little much. And I am not a fan of Panic! at the Disco, but after reading Ryan Ross's entire quote, what he said is not as outrageous as your post would suggest:

"I remember seeing the video for 'Teen Spirit' on MTV. I was like 11, and honestly, I felt like I was a little too young to be watching it, because it kind of scared me. But now I see why it was so popular, because it just flew in the face of everything else that was happening at the time. And in that sense, I don't think it's impossible that we'll see another Nirvana in our lifetime. [Panic] were doing something different, and we've sort of sparked something in people. And I think a band like [Seattle quartet and Panic's labelmates] Forgive Durden could be the next really big thing. Their record has a lot of things that I wish our record has, and I would love for them to get huge."

I think he's only suggesting that there may be artists that come along with music that's different from everything else at the time and that people will really love it and other artists will be influenced by it. And he's probably right, because music, like everything else, is influenced by trends. But will the arrival of such a new artist ever be as big as when Nirvana emerged on the scene, or have the same lasting effect on people's lives? In my opinion, it hasn't happened since Nirvana, and none of us can know for sure if it will ever happen again. But Nirvana is not the only group throughout the history of music to cause such a revolution. Beatlemania, anyone? And I don't think that Ryan Ross was trying to say that Panic! is about to have the same impact on music and people's lives that Nirvana did. He's just saying he thinks they have a different sound that people seem to take a liking to.

Frank the frowner Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 12:01 PM EST

Of course there will be another "Nirvana." Music seems to cycle itself every couple of years. They were a band that happened to be at the right place at the right time. Like Bon Jovi or Guns N Roses or even the Bee Gees before them, they happened to put out an album that was just a bit different than the stagnation of the time and capitalized on it.

Music is in that state now and just waiting for someone to give it a good swift kick in the ass.

Jason Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 11:15 AM EST

I realize Nirvana was a great band and all, but overrated truly applies here. They made 2-3 albums critics consider to be great, and grunge died out after a few years. Is that really worth being touted this much for? Acts like Green Day, Mariah Carey, and Prince have had more influence, yet they never get these kinds of tributes. I guess early death really does cement a legacy.

kjk Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 10:33 AM EST

are we really all that old? 15 years. ouch.
first of all, Kurt Cobain taught me to play guitar. no, not sitting next to me in my bedroom, but i sat alone and learned all of Nirvana's songs with zero guitar lessons. and that's the beauty of it. SIMPLICITY and HONESTY. they were one of many "important" bands throughout time that didn't rely on over-production, autotuning, or gimmicks to do their thing. there is an inherent honesty to great acts that you cannot fake and that comes across to anyone and everyone, even if they don't realize it. Nirvana had that. Nirvana inspired people to play guitar, or drums, or sing, or get pissed, or feel SOMETHING. All great artist's do that (beatles, zeppelin, etc) because they send out something to you that is honest and usually simple and let you feel it to make your own opinion. They don't shove it down your throat with gimmicks and clever marketing to peer pressure you into forming an uneducated opinon. I won't even waste time listing current acts that do not have that honesty and employ the other methods. as long as radio, mtv, labels, and even listeners cater to a fabricated world of clubbing, bling, sex, and whatever the hell that stupid Panic! song is that the kid couldn't sing live, another Nirvana will not happen. as long as anyone with an internet connection and a crappy band can waste my time by amassing 2 billion myspace friends and then flooding me with bulletins and e-mails and so on, another Nirvana will not happen. i no longer have the patience to sift through a never-before-seen gigantic pile of trash to find that honest voice. i have my own mini-nirvanas, where something hits me that way, as i'm sure others do, but the masses are not being given a chance to vote on their new musical leader, so there will be none, for now.

kenny k Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 09:39 AM EST

Note to "Gina:"
That was beautifully put.
An excellent and eloquent post

crow Tue, Sep 19, 2006 at 08:12 AM EST

To all the naysayers, all I can say is listen to Nirvana Unplugged all the way through.

Gina Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 11:47 PM EST

Will there ever be another Nirvana.

No.

And the reasons are already listed in other people's postings about the band. Cobain was a version of all alientated teenagers of his decade times 10. Lacking confidence and self-esteem, music was Kurt Cobain's bull horn to yell at the world. And when he became famous, I suspect (only a suspicion) that he kept testing people to see how far he could push everyone. I miss his music. And I wish he had stayed at least a little while longer.

For those who do not get Nrivana's music. Don't bother posting. I believe the question is, "Will there be another Nirvana?" Not "Do you like Nirvana?" This string doesn't pertain to you. I'm sure something else will be posted about Paula Abdul or Celine Dion somewhere else. You can post then.

MM Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 08:23 PM EST

Oh, and I never let anyone other than the good Mr. Webster influence the way I spell something just because it's trendy.

MM Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 08:21 PM EST

Sorry, I never got Nirvana. Those dark, non-sensical lyrics just never did anything for me. Life was never so bleak and so empty that anything they sang about could speak to me. Could there be another band like this? Hell, they'll pay anyone to put out a song, I'm sure some other overrated misunderstood band of mumbling hairy boys will put something together and a bunch of mixed up people will eat it up, but as for me, give me classic rock anytime.

Kate Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 07:22 PM EST

The beauty of it all is that things like Nirvana don't happen every year. They weren't set up by some producer person so whenever something as vital and important as Nirvana had been does arrive it feels almost like a blessing. I was someone drowning in MC Hammer and Paula Abdul waiting and wishing for some kind of new music that could possibly speak to me and even though I distrusted Nirvana at first because they were so popular with everyone and I didn't want to be a part of anything that EVERYONE liked (a sure sign of suckage, in my 14 year old opinion) I'm glad I finally came around. They made music that much more important to me. I miss Kurt still sometimes.

Jess Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 07:02 PM EST

The only thing that Panic! at the Disco sparks in me is the desire to punch all of them in the face.

But I think the success of bands like Panic points to why we don't have a Nirvana equivalent anymore. I'm not one of those militant Nirvana fans, but I know the guys had talent. They were different, and yet they were still a part of the mainstream music of the radio and MTV. Now, MTV is more concerned with trendy crap like Panic than they are with bands with real potential. MTV latches onto a trend, drives it into the ground, and then moves on. Does anyone really think that we're going to give two craps about Panic in ten years?

We certainly have bands who are as talented as Nirvana. I think Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl!) and RHCP are great examples. And there are plenty of younger bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Killers who have real potential. They're popular and they've got staying power, but they're just not a cultural phenomenom.

So, yes, we COULD have another Nirvana. But if we want a band with genuine talent, we can't rely on MTV to give it to us.

Carlos Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 06:39 PM EST

Amen, Whitney. Considering the downward musical spiral we've been in since Kurt died, I doubt there will be a new Nirvana anytime soon. Record companies just will not take that chance anymore. As far as Panic At The S***co is concerned, all they did was luck out while jumping on the neo-80's new wave bandwagon and got a best video VMA (what tremendous relevance that has now), and all of the sudden the lead singer thinks he's hot s*** by even CONSIDERING the possibility of his band being anything close to Nirvana. Hey Ross, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" is NO 'Teen Spirit', ok? In fact why don't you try releasing a second single before thinking you're the next Jesus of rock and roll- be sure to stock up on makeup and tophats while you're at it, nancy boy. Plus, we haven't seen so-called rockers wear makeup since... hmm, glam metal. Think about it.

Shawn Burke Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 06:23 PM EST

"You Won't Have To Wait For Me Long, Hunny, I'll Be There In Just A Little While." Anyone who craves for a band covering The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix, and only making music worthy to play along with it, should keep your eyes on SHAWN BURKE in a couple of years or less. I hear that cat's got just the style we need. And Then This New-Age, Scream How You Hate Being Judged While You Wear Make-up Pop Rock Beauty Contest we watch on MTV will look even more stupid and talentless. Remember, Shawn Burke

DougMusicFan Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 05:35 PM EST

Dude, I LIKE Everclear, but they couldn't carry Cobain's guitar picks! Do you really think anyone would even KNOW who Everclear or any other "Alternative" acts (aside from Pearl Jam and the rest of the Seattle bands, and established acts like RHCP, REM, Sonic Youth, and the Pixies) were it not for Nirvana? Dave Grohl is talented, no question; but they went through a handful of drummers (and had already release the original version of Bleach) before him. As for his lyrics? He said they were an amalgamation of his sincere feelings and opinions, his sarcastic feelings and opinions, and his "rebuttles (sic) towards cliche, bohemian ideals that have been exhausted for years...I like to be passionate and sincere, but I also like to have fun."
In other words, he took the same thoughts and feelings most of us experience all at the same time, every day, and put the whole thing to music. Shove THAT up your Bay City Roller.
Now, were they still around, would music have passed them by? Maybe. In some ways, it was already starting to. But there aren't too many enduring acts that that DOESN'T happen to. They either reinvent themselves (or as some call it, sell out), fade away, or keep making music for their true fan base. I doubt Nirvana would have faded away.
As for there being another Nirvana...yes and no. I agree with ep sato's comments that something else great will come along. But it won't be another Nirvana, just like it won't be another Chuck Berry, or Elvis, or The Beatles, or Jimi, or any other innovator. But it WILL be given the same reverence all of the above -and Nirvana- have earned.

Robert Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 04:52 PM EST

As I was 13 when Nevermind hit, and I too enjoyed it immensely. I didn't understand the anarchy of it all, but I liked it. However, as I look back at it and remember the early 90s, I liked Pearl Jam more. I also liked Soundgarden more.

If anyone is honest, they can admit that Ten and Vs. are vastly superior to anything Nirvana did. Now, was Nirvana the breakthrough band that everyone was talking about, and who made things possible for dozens of other bands? Absolutely, no question.

And will there be another band out of nowhere who changes music for a period of time? Sure. It happened before Nirvana, and will happen again. But, their impact will be dramatically less, because of the options available to everyone now. Because people aren't limited to radio and MTV for music, because iPods don't allow for new music unless you put it there by yourself, there won't be nearly as big an impact.

Laurie Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 04:03 PM EST

Will there ever be another Nirvana? Not exactly. 1991 was a time when the only way to prove yourself as a band was to tour and try to stand out from the rest of the touring groups out there. Nowadays bands get famous from one good song on myspace or youtube, not from hard work on the road. There are some great bands out there that are doing something different, but don't wear enough eyeliner and don't care to be 70s glam like all the bands MTV cares to pay attention to. Want to hear a great band that writes their own stuff and is on the verge?? Try Lucero, they are great and don't own anything with sparkles or ribbons on it.

Adam B. Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 04:02 PM EST

There will never be another Nirvana because the music scene (on radio, tv, etc) is too segmented now. Nirvana's cultural impact only takes place on that large a level when the entire mainstream music industry is that banal, but given that the traditional kingmakers are no longer in control and the Internet and all, there's nothing as large to rebel against anymore.

whit Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 04:00 PM EST

"never mind" used to be two words, kids.

Steve from Yellowstone Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 03:36 PM EST

Good riddance to this overrated trio who pumped out some catchy melodies sure, but lyrics so meaningless that they make Warrant look like Dylan.

Anyone really think if Cobain didn't off himself that they wouldn't be lumped in with stuff like the Presidents Of The USA, Everclear or other remnants of the 90s?

Dave Grohl has gone on to show who really had the talent there.

No this is not a troll post BTW...just never got the whole Nirvana fascination. They were what they were, their generation's version of the Knack or the Bay City Rollers.

But, I'll take Nirvana over femrock like Panic or Falloutboy anyday.

Adam S Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 03:33 PM EST

1. What word are we all spelling incorrectly now? I was 16 in '91, prime for music, and knew every word of Nevermind. I don't get it.

2. I love your line about Panic at the Disco. Ha ha!

3. There most certainly will be another Nirvana. G-N-R ended the era of hair metal, Nirvana ended the era of heavy metal excess, someone will end the onslaught of nonsense we have these days.

john Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 03:30 PM EST

Panic! At the disco????? WHY would we even consider them the next Nirvana?!?!? No, whitney, I'm not going to try to change your mind.

--Josh Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 03:10 PM EST

Which word are we supposedly spelling incorrectly?

Lorenzo Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 02:58 PM EST

Ep Sato, I will agree with you that they will be a new Nirvana that will change music forever but I know MTV won't make it popular because they don't understand the word "MUSIC". Sure, it's in their title but name an artist MTV recently search out and found to be the next BIG thing that wasn't already on MySpace or the record companies paid to play their videos. This is why Fuse and On Demand was invented where they play new indie artist's music and videos. MTV (and BET and VH1) lost any respect that I had for them when all they will show are reality/awards/countdown music video show. The new Nirvana will come and MTV will totally miss it.

Michelle Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 02:57 PM EST

Oh Ep Sato I adore you!

Everything I was thinking with 99.9% less typing required on my part.

Thank you!

mark in nyc Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 02:48 PM EST

Yes there will be another Nirvana, of course it won't be the same Nirvana.
In the late 80's early 90's most music on the radio was like it is today. Entertainers (notice I don't callthem singers or musicians) like Justin Timberlake and Ashlee Simpson rule the airwaves with sexy pop that is meaningless. Sooner or later a bunch of kids are going to realize there is more to life and death then how much bling or how much pu**y you can get (anyone under 21, yes! there is more to life) and will come up with a new sound. Hopefully it will be Nirvana-esq in it's raw attitude

kenny k Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 02:44 PM EST

Let this superior Seattle band rest in peace like hopefully Kurt Cobain is as we speak. No, there will never be another Nirvana.
Sadly "alternative" rock died the day Kurt pointed a gun at his head and pulled the trigger.
Yes, there are some amazing bands out there whom continue to push the envelope and bare their dark and pained souls to the masses, but none did it like Kurt Cobain (though I'd say Nine Inch Nails' autuer Trent Reznor surely is a worthy contender).
In today's musical climate - if Kurt WERE alive today - Nirvana's music would have faded away, replaced on the charts by cheap crapola ripoffs like Nickelback.
Lest we not forget who these cheap imitators got their influence from.
It was the genius of Kurt Cobain.

Ep Sato Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 02:40 PM EST

Wait, it seems to me like no one is remembering 1991 very well. First, these cats didn't get rid of Hammer, they were the death knell for glamrock leather clad rockers who dressed like women (Warrant, Poision, Def leppard, Motley Crew, etc) and who had been forced down our throats by MTV. Acceptance of Nirvana came at a time when a lot of non-MTV bands and movements were coming to fruition. Chicago's Wax Trax scene (then home to Industrial bands KMFDM and to Ministry side projects), the industrial music scene and the Moon Records jumpstarted ska scene (not to mention the ska/core movement led by Op Ivy and the Boss-Tones), joined with Seattle's SubPop label and basically took over popular rock music. Of course, Mtv and pop culture magazines (reactionary rags like "Rolling Stone") jumped on the bandwagon way after these musics had already impacted the younger siblings of genx record store clerks.

So of course there will be another Nirvana. It'll be in the form of some unknown band who will take rock music in a direction that none of us expect. For a while it seemed like Brian Jonestown was leading such a movement, but that seems to have petered out in recent years. Nirvana simply redefined the rules with their second album and had the luck of being something new at a time when we were all bored with the same old repackaged crap. I have all the faith in the world that right now some 19 year old is putting the final touches on some track's that'll blow us all away, and I have faith that Mtv will make it popular for all of us once the kids have made it cool...

aramis Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 02:30 PM EST

Panic! at the Disco?

Shoot, Pastorek...I'm still reeling over the lost air time MTV has devoted to reality TV.

The statement is best answered accordingly: There will never be another Nirvana as long as the 'M' remains irrelevent in 'MTV', so much that it no longer devotes air time to music as it did when Kurt was taking a whiff of that Teen Spirit.

mike Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 02:30 PM EST

If there could be another Nirvana, could we have them now? Rock radio is awful, Mtv lost sight of good music years ago and music on the net is all over the place.
All that means is this is the perfect opportunity for some band to revolutionize music and sweep out all the crap. Hurry!