top of page

FIRST TIME: NIRVANA

ROCK

Written By: Jewels Alexandria

(5 Minute Read)

​

“Seattle. . . is currently to the rock ‘n’ roll world what Bethlehem was to Christianity,” –Spin, December 1992

​

Grunge Rock has been around as early as the mid 1980’s originating in the rainy state of Washington. “Combining guitar distortion, anguished vocals, and heartfelt, angst-ridden lyrics, (Britannica)” bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Pearl Jam and Nirvana changed the way we listened to rock music. Even down to choice of clothing. Whereas the 70’s style rock still wore lots of make-up and costume like outfits, the grunge scene gave a sense of carefree. With ripped jeans, cardigan sweaters or plaid button ups, left open, it spoke a statement that did not need to be told. The new cool was in. The 90’s holds a lot of first and quite frankly it truly was a time to be alive. I’m talking pre-internet but modernized. It still held on slightly to the old but welcomed the new. And people still understood the value of human interaction. Grunge was something the world needed at the time. There are countless documentaries on the genre. Two I recommend is Hype! (1996) and Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015). I found these to be very informative and engaging.

 The Juke Joint would like to shine light on one of grunges biggest bands, Nirvana. And the first time I ever heard them. I was in 8th  grade, 2005. And being a young black girl living in a predominately black neighborhood, it wasn’t totally cool to like “rock music.” I soon later would learn the origins of the genre. Nonetheless, my first experience was like so many others, Smells Like Teen Spirit. YouTube was starting to become a thing, and I would sit and watch music videos for hours. MTV was still cool and racing home to watch videos was one of the highlights of my day. I started to learn more and more about rock music. I was drawn to it. But there was something about the darkness of the video. The yellow hew and the simplicity of it. Then there was Kurt. I don’t think anyone can explain the greatness of seeing him for the first time. Kurt had a spark to him. He did for rock what Tupac did for Hip Hop and his song writing was one like no other. And although not the first to make grunge music, Nirvana popularized it. After seeing the video, I had to learn more. Next came, Heart Shaped Box then Come As You Are. I was hooked. The album Nevermind, became a staple in my rotation of music.

Nirvana 2.jpg

Today, Nirvana’s name is mentioned whenever we talk of rock music. The pictures and logos are all over t-shirts and spray painted on walls all across the US.  And from that amazing group spawned the band, Foo Fighters. Who to this day, still makes music and became one of the most prominent figures in rock music.

​

What is your story of the first time you heard Nirvana? What is your favorite song?

May 19, 2024

  • Black Twitter Icon
  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Black Spotify Icon
  • Black Apple Music Icon
  • Black YouTube Icon
  • Black Instagram Icon
bottom of page