Nirvana Domino Effect / Writing And Ranting

Nirvana saved my life. I know that is such a cliche statement, but its true. 

Growing up in Alabama was strange, yet normal because it was all that I knew. Until I was 16, I thought the only lettuce in the world was iceberg. I assumed everyone thought abortion, gays, and healthcare should be illegal. As a kid it was hard to relate to the culture that surrounded me...until Nevermind came out.

My first exposure was to "Lithium". I was a child. I ordered Nevermind through the Columbia House scam where you take the pre approved orders and use fake names to get ten CDs. It's hard to explain to people younger than me what this time was like. A lot of people I've met at my shows these days were born in 1989, 1991, or even 1994–after Kurt died! But back then, to finally hear someone say i'ts okay to be gay, a woman, or a "weirdo" was incredible. Nirvana was more than a band, they helped a lot of people embrace who they really were; I've had this conversations with people a million times, everyone from the Gossip to Yacht. Sure, Nirvana changed '90s culture, bringing a more underground sound to the mainstream, but it's more than that. They changed the way people thought. And it didn't stop there. Nirvana championed bands like Sonic Youth and the Raincoats. Me and my brother started ordering Bikini Kill and Free Kitten records from Kill Rock Stars via mail order. All as result of a domino effect created by. It just kept leading to more and more. Still, over 20 years later, it hasn't stopped. 

Alabama felt like a dead end. I was aware I had to get out but confused and unsure as to how until I went to see Deerhoof, Unwound, and The PeeChees at a small jaycees hall in Mississippi. We read about it in a Kill Rock Stars newsletter (which we had became aware of due to Nirvana). The bands played to about 40 people. We were so excited! Afterwards we hung out with Deerhoof and told them we were going to start a band called XBXRX. Deerhoof's drummer, Greg Saunier, gave us his phone number and said we should come and tour with them on the West Coast. I'd never been further West than New Orleans! Wow. No one had ever encouraged us like that before. Things exploded from there and we ended up doing a record on Kill Rock Stars' sub-label 5RC. We ended up touring with Sonic Youth. I even ended up on the drum throne the Raincoats!

This was all a result of my initial exposure to Nirvana. It put me on a path that encouraged me to make music, zines, and photography. These things have taken me all over the world. It's crazy to think about, and would have blown my mind if as a hopeless 12-year-old I could see the this path and where it would take me! I still have a hard time believing it.

And as passé as this is to say, Nirvana changed so many people's lives. It's amazing to think about. They inspired so many amazing ideas and gave outsiders something to relate to. While I'm aware that people often project onto those who can no longer speak for themselves parts of themselves in order to associate with them, I don't think it's that bad of a thing if it leads to encouragement. People are still inspired by Nirvana. Hopefully, that is something positive we can take away from something that ended so tragically. I'm so happy Kurt, Krist, and Dave put all that work into that album. I'm thankful that they helped make the world a better place.

"No band is special, no band royalty. If you got a guitar and a lot of soul, just bang something out and mean it. You're the superstar." - Krist Novoselic, 1994