News 09/2004
Rolling Stone published an article about the forthcoming Nirvana
box set. It doesn't really contain any new information but it does
echo the November release date: "The long-delayed
box set of rare NIRVANA recordings will finally hit stores on November
23rd. The Universal Music set will include three CD's of unreleased
NIRVANA audio recordings and one DVD of rare video footage. Retailers
predict the box will be one of fall's biggest releases, along with
new albums from U2 and Eminem. 'I think that in it's first week it
will be our biggest box set ever,' says music buyer Carl Mello of
Boston's Newbury Comics. 'We'll bring in quantity on that first
week like what we would bring in on a superstar's new album.'
Though the box was still in production in mid-September, it
will probably include fifty tracks culled from the band's
archives of unreleased studio demos, rare B-sides and selected
oddities. In a 2002 interview with Rolling Stone, NIRVANA
bassist Krist Novoselic said that tracks will likely include
material from 'KAOS radio 1987, BBC Peel Sessions, studio
outtakes, sessions that we did in north Seattle, Rio de
Janeiro, In Utero outtakes, live stuff'. He also said to
expect the 'Butch Vig raw mix of Teen Spirit', a rough cut
that's really different.' " Courtesy of Rolling Stone.
There's also an article on Kurt Cobain here.
In other box news, the British chain of music stores HMV
have started accepting pre-orders for the set. They have
it listed for a November 29 release date in the UK and a
price of £39.99 (about $75 USD). The Japanese HVM store
is also accepting pre-orders, though they list the release
date as December 1 2004 and a slightly higher price (£45).
Thanks to HMV, Mike Robertson and The Denzo for info.
I recently got some information about a new festival which
aims to reunite popular bands and give fans a chance to see
old favorites play live one more time:
"A bunch of people have come up with their own unique idea
of organizing a music festival that will be mainly played by
reunited bands. Those people believe that they can offer people
the opportunity to see their old but not present favorite bands
again! People who missed the shows or were too young to attend?
Here is your chance! They have started a website about their
project that I/we think you should check out. Below is a brief
description. The website focuses on creating an online community
of fans all over the world that have the vision to see their
favorite old bands that may have broken up by now or don't
play much, perform live again! This is accomplished by working
in small teams through a forum. Each team is dedicated to a number
of tasks (e.g. Promotion, Organizing & Management of the festival).
It might sound a little bit hard but if we all put some soul in it
and work responsibly then, something will come out! Please visit our
website for more info."
Thanks to The Reunite Festival Project Team for the press release.
September 23, 2004
The Olympia published an article about Krist Novoselic's book
tour coming to town: "Former Nirvana bassist
Krist Novoselic is using his stardom to encourage more voter
participation and push for fixing glitches in the electoral system.
'There's so much disconnection and cynicism about what's going on
in this state and nation,' Novooselic said, using as an example
the state's new $12 million Montana-style primary that drew a
slight 31 percent of the electorate to the polls. 'These are
symptoms of a democracy in crisis,' he said. 'I'm just putting
forward the policy proposals for people to consider.' Novoselic,
39, said the book advocates proportional representation and instant-runoff
voting, which would give voters a chance to pick second- and third-choice
candidates and eliminate the need for a primary." Read the
story here.
See an article from the same paper about Krist's book here.
Article from the Phoenix New Times about Krist Novoselic's new
book and his book tour. Read it here.
"Rocker DAVE GROHL is furious after learning that
US President GEORGE W BUSH used the FOO FIGHTERS track TIMES LIKE THESE
at a campaign rally. The former NIRVANA star is a staunch supporter of
Bush's Democratic rival JOHN KERRY, and didn't appreciate the US leader
using his song in a political arena. He says, 'I don't give a s**t if he
likes our band, but I take it personally when a politician that doesn't
represent my personal beliefs uses music that I poured my heart and soul
into for his personal gain.' Rather than issuing a cease-and-desist letter,
Grohl 'took action' by performing at a recent rally for Kerry in Iowa, where
he played MY HERO, TIMES LIKE THESE and LEARN TO FLY. He adds, 'I sang those
songs, which are supposed to represent love, hope and compassion for a person
that I believe represents all of those things.' " Story courtesy of Contact Music.
"Nirvana's classic video to 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' has
been revealed as the most played video ever on MTV in the UK and Ireland.
The chart was made to mark the 15th anniversary of MTV's first broadcast in
Europe. 'Wonderwall' by Oasis was second, followed by 'Black Hole Sun' by US
grunge rockers Soundgarden." Full list here.
Courtesy of soundgenerator.com.
This website recently signed up for the DMA 2004 People's Choice Award.
It is basically a category at the Digital Music Awards for music-related websites
that NFC has entered several times before. Last time, we placed in the Top 10. To vote for us
again just click here.
September 12, 2004
Krist Novoselic will be part of The New Yorker Festival 2004 which
takes place October 1 to 3 in New York City. On the 2nd of October
there will be 'a day of talks, interviews and panel discussions'
featuring Krist Novoselic and Henry Rollins in the 'Political Rockers'
category. They will be speaking at the New York Public Library, 1 PM.
Click here
for more info, including how to get tickets for the event. Thanks to Stumps.
Speaking of Krist - Rolling Stone recently did an interview with him which
you can read here.
It is mostly about his current book which he will be promoting with a
book tour that begins today. Here is the updated tour schedule:
Be sure to tell him who sent you :)
Some more stories on the Nirvana box set; MTV,
Las Vegas Mercury and
Richmond Times Dispatch.
September 9, 2004
The Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee recently received permission from Aberdeen
to do a sign that commemorates the late singer in his hometown. The familiar
'Welcome to Aberdeen' sign that greets visitors in the eastern edge of town
will be expanded to also say 'Come As You Are'. You can view a photo of the
old sign here and the new one here.
Thanks to Paul for the info and pics. See previous news stories for details on the Kurt Cobain Memorial Committee and their efforts.
September 8, 2004
News about the Nirvana box set (see Sept. 3 story) is slowly starting to circulate in
the media. Here are some more stories about it, many quoting this website: Billboard,
Contactmusic,
Live Daily, NME,
Gigwise, Pitchfork,
Seattle Times and
Metal Hammer. You can also
view this thread on the NFC Discussion
Board which is used by fans to talk about what they hope for the box set to include. Finally,
I've just added a new poll to the main page; "Do you plan on buying the forthcoming Nirvana box set?"
Check the result of the previous poll in the "misc" section.
A new issue of NME Originals is out - focusing on the 'gods of rock', including Nirvana:
"148 pages packed with some of the greatest rock n' roll stories ever,
reprinted from the archives of NME and its sister publication, Melody Maker. Full of rare
photos and salacious interviews, GODS OF ROCK includes Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zandt
telling you how to stomp a guy half to death in a barroom brawl, Ted Nugent insisting that
'Anyone who digs adventurous music would get off sleeping in a dead sheep', and Ozzy Osbourne
getting arrested for pissing on the Alamo. Freddie Mercury boasts that his slacks are so
tight that one lady writer rightly guessed his religion, Axl Rose does his damnedest to
get a riot going, Perry Farrell shows you videos of himself shooting up and Lemmy claims
to be a 'reincarnated Nazi'. Johnny Rotten gets beaten up by the cops, Eddie Van Halen
pummels a wall until his knuckles bleed, Kurt Cobain denies doing smack, Johnny Thunders
chucks up on the tarmac at Paris Airport, Slipknot punch each other in the face, Stevie
Nicks refers to cocaine as a little more-ish, like 'Sarah Lee Cheese Cake' and Courtney
Love is dragged screaming and kicking from somebody else's stage. Featuring Led Zeppelin,
Thin Lizzy, The Rolling Stones, The Cult, The Runaways, New York Dolls and many, many more,
NME ORIGINALS: GODS OF ROCK is the most lairy, lewd, ludicrous and life-affirming read on
the planet. On sale now: £5.50." Last year, in the NME Originals series, they
released a superb issue about Nirvana with some 150-pages of interesting articles. Thanks
to Aimi for the news.
In the August 25 story I reported that a DVD in the "Classic Albums" series, detailing the
recording of Nirvana's Nevermind album, would be released in October. This news was
mainly based on the fact that a handful of online stores had it listed for pre-order and
indeed named this release date. One of those stores now changed the release date to
March 7, 2005. At the same time, other sources have indicated to me that the DVD will not
be released this year. So, until some sort of official statement on this thing is out, don't
expect to get it this year. The March date could be correct but it is not possible to say at this time.
September 3, 2004
This is it, guys. The best news I've been able to post since this website started
some eight years ago ... A Nirvana box set will be released on November
23, 2004. This is the box we've been waiting for since the rumours about it
first started more than six years ago. It will include 3 CD's and one DVD,
featuring "previously unreleased rarities and b-sides. Over 50 unreleased recordings including
Kurt Cobain's demos". The DVD will also contain unseen footage and live
performances. And, the whole thing comes with a 60-page booklet! I know this sounds
just about too good to be true but here is the official info and all I know about the project right now:
NIRVANA BOX SET - 3 CD & 1 DVD
I don't have pricing, artwork or tracklistings at this time but hopefully that will be available soon. I also don't know yet, if any singles, promos or videos will be released in connection with the box. All I do know is that what millions of Nirvana fans have been waiting for since 1997 or so is finally here. I really have no idea what recordings they have used to compile this set. Indeed, some of the Cobain demos must come from all the cassette tapes that he apparently left behind. The band also did a number of studio sessions which yielded songs that have yet to be released - although much of this material is already circulating amongst fans. It will certainly also be interesting to see what the DVD has to offer; perhaps Nirvana's music videos and some live stuff. It seems unlikely from the description that an entire concert is presented on the DVD. It's probably clips from various shows. In any case, this is a great day for Nirvana fans!
Billboard posted a story with some new info: "Although a
label spokesperson declined to confirm specifics, Universal Music Enterprises
will release a three-CD boxed set from Nirvana in November. Limited editions
of the project will include a DVD, which boasts footage of the Kurt Cobain-led
band playing at a 1987 house party. The box is expected to be one of the most
in-demand items at music retail this holiday season. High hopes were fueled when
portions of the DVD were screened at the recent National Association of Recording
Merchandisers conference. 'From what I saw at [NARM] -- which was amazing -- I
think it's going to blow everyone away,' Newbury Comics music buyer Carl Mello
tells Billboard. 'It really will out-perform any expectations that customers may
have -- even if their expectations are huge.' " Story courtesy of Billboard.
Emphasis added by me. Read more.
September 2, 2004
The News Tribune in Tacoma, WA published a story about Kurt's
hometown of Aberdeen and the efforts to create some sort of memorial there.
"No trace of Cobain is evident in Aberdeen. Fans from
as far away as Europe ask locals for directions to the modest house on First
Street where he lived. They tag the underside of the Young Street bridge,
where Kurt once slept. But, as a recent editorial in the local paper, The
Daily World, noted, fans 'wander (the) town aimlessly before giving up and
heading back to Seattle to spend time at the Experience Music Project.'
All that is about to change, if a nonprofit group calling itself the Kurt
Cobain Memorial Committee has its way. Brainchild of Daily World arts and
entertainment editor Jeff Burlingame and City Councilman Paul Fritts, the
group is pushing for three projects to recognize Cobain, his roots in the
community and his impact he has had on youth culture. They are starting small,
with a sign saying 'Come As You Are: Birthplace of Nirvana' that will hang
alongside the 'Welcome to Aberdeen' structure planted on the bluffs at the
eastern edge of town. Eventually, they want to erect 'Kurt Cobain Memorial
Park,' complete with a graffiti wall for Nirvana fans to express themselves
and an all-ages rock club and meeting place." Read the full story
here.
Jeff and Paul of the committee actually used the discussion board at this
website to gather suggestions from fans, and largely used that in their decisions
on how Aberdeen could best pay respect to Cobain. They have been very insisting
on getting Nirvana and Cobain fans behind this initiative and want to ensure that
nothing disrespectful is being done. More info here
and here.
Jay Mohr who once appeared on a Saturday Night Live with Nirvana as the musical
guest recently spoke to CNN: "It was fascinating and I wasn't
enjoying it, even when it was going well," Mohr said. "I watched Nirvana perform,
I talked to Kurt Cobain, I talked to (Eric) Clapton, I got to work with (Chris)
Farley every day." Read here.
I recently added a bunch of new material to the Facts and Information section.
Most of this comes from a website called The Nirvana Information Archive
which has been around for a number of years. The webmaster of the site was kind
enough to let me publish a lot of his work here. Check the Facts and Information
section to view the new update. Thanks to Brian for his kindness and exhaustive work.