Given the title of this column, I’ve often pondered and debated who will be the band to save Rock ‘n’ Roll? In essence, who will be the new Nirvana?
Interpol? The Features? Sleater-Kinney? Strokes/Hives/Stripes? It just seems I have noting better to talk or think about.
On a recent road trip (to see a concert, no less), my friend Peter and I were engaged in this very same conversation. In a statement that surprised me, he asked, “Well what if Nirvana was the next Nirvana? What if Nirvana were able to reclaim the radio airwaves some 11 years after they were introduced to the world?”
This made complete sense. For the past decade, most bands have a) either tried to sound like Nirvana or b) tried to be the ones to make the impossible leap from the indie underground to the top of the Billboard charts (in essence become the new Messiahs of Rock). This could very well happen.
This year has seen the release of two new pieces of fodder for Nirvana fans, both old and new.
First came the self-title, best of retrospective Nirvana, which features hits and misses from their catalog. Included is the unreleased track “You Know You’re Right,” which has proudly perched itself atop the modern rock charts. While this is not a must have for any of us who grew up with this band, it would make a great Christmas present for your 12-year-old brother.
Almost in tandem, the book Journals was released. This is a collection of some of Kurt Cobain’s journal entries, which he filled dozens of notebooks with.
While I was first aghast when I heard that these were being published, I came around when I read the first page of the book. In Kurt’s own handwriting it read “Don’t read my diary when I’m gone. OK … when you wake up this morning please read my diary. Look through my things and figure me out.”
Kurt Cobain, ladies and gentlemen, ever the walking contradiction.
An influence like Nirvana’s had not been felt since the Beatles first came to the states. Since 1991, every kid who had tried to learn to play guitar has been drawn to the simple barre chord and dropped D tunings of many of Nirvana’s songs. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” has replaced “Louie, Louie” and “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” as the first song a kid learns on guitar.
Despite Nirvana’s ubiquitous influence and new product, I’d have to disagree with Peter about Nirvana.
They aren’t going to resave Rock ‘n’ Roll, at least not right now. “You Know You’re Right” and Journals will probably be off their respected charts by the end of January (I’m liberal with this number because of the upcoming holiday season). However, these new products are only solidifying Kurt & Co.’s place in the history of music.
We miss you Kurt.

Author