This month's Q features a story on "The Nevermind Era," which is defined by a scientifically precise timeline, beginning 10/29/90 ("Dave Grohl settles in") and ending 8/30/92 ("The Reading Festival," Nirvana's final UK concert). The article on this Anglo-centric 672 days of influence has behind the scenes anecdotes documenting the highs and the lows; it also has this list of songs "that inspired Kurt Cobain," which the mag's staff put together based on Cobain quotes and their editorial expertise. Here it is, with a recap of their reasoning for inclusion.
01. "Kool Thing" - Sonic Youth
Q included this because "the alternative rock heroes were instrumental in getting Nirvana signed by Geffen."
02. "Debaser" - Pixies
As Cobain said, he "was basically trying to rip off the Pixies."
03. "More Than A Feeling" - Boston
They're thinking that "Smells Like Teen Spirit"'s opening bore a "strong resemblance" to this cut.
04. "Seasons In The Sun" - Terry Jacks
The first record Kurt ever bought.
05. "My Sharona" - The Knack
In Kurt's band bio, he wrote that Nirvana sounded like "Black Sabbath playing The Knack."
06. "Rise Above" - Black Flag
Q traces Kurt's lyrical sense to this punk staple.
07. "Sweet Emotion" - Aerosmith
Kurt and Krist put out a band ad listing Led Zep and Aerosmith as key influences.
08. "Chord Organ Blues" - Daniel Johnston
We all know how much Kurt loved his Daniel tee.
09. "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" - Leadbelly
Covered during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged appearance.
10. "I Saw Her Standing There" - The Beatles
From Meet The Beatles!, which made it into Kurt's posthumously published Top 50 albums list.
11. "Lizzy" - Melvins
Kurt auditioned for a slot with the Melvins, but had a bout of the nerves and "fogot all the songs."
12. "Lake Of Fire" - Meat Puppets
Included 'cause the band joined Nirvana for three songs at the Unplugged performance.
13. "The Revenge Of Anus Presley" - Butthole Surfers
Q says that the Surfers' "outrageous lyrics appealed to Cobain's often puerile sense of humour."
14. "Search And Destroy - Iggy And The Stooges
Said Kurt: "Iggy Pop was my total idol."
15. "Back In Black" - AC/DC
First riff 14-year-old Kurt ever learned!
16. "Black Sabbath" - Black Sabbath
Noted as a key influence on Bleach. Also noted for having inventing heavy metal.
17. "Fortunate Son" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Teeneaged Kurt and Krist once had a CCR tribute band called Sellout. Awwww.
18. "Anarchy In The UK" - Sex Pistols
Included for the thought that "A denial!" was a Gen X update of "Get pissed! Destroy!"
19. "Son Of A Gun" - The Vaselines
Nirvana covered three Vaselines songs in its day.
20. "My My Hey Hey (Into The Black)" - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Kurt's suicide note quoted Young: "It's better to burn out than to fade away."
Some of these cuts were included for well-founded anecdotal reasons -- and some were just Q talking out their collective ass. Still, it's a fun exercise: What songs do you hear reflected in Nirvana's catalogue? If you're really savvy, you'll point out the analagous Nirvana track, right down to the section in question. Go!
