Nirvana: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Nirvana's music was built from a collision of hardcore punk volume, Beatles melody, and the fringe indie-pop records Kurt Cobain obsessively championed — Scottish twee, British post-punk feminism, Osaka noise-pop. This mix follows the Aberdeen-to-Seattle lineage through the Melvins and Sub Pop, the literary obsessions behind In Utero, and the producers and successors who carried the sound outward.

The Kynda mix for Nirvana

• Key Influence · Surfer Rosa by Pixies (1988). Cobain repeatedly admitted that in writing 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' he was consciously trying to write a Pixies song, borrowing their quiet-verse/loud-chorus dynamic wholesale. Surfer Rosa, recorded by Steve Albini, was the template so completely that Nirvana hired Albini for In Utero in 1993 to get its dry, violent drum sound. Black Francis's scream-sung non-sequiturs also license Cobain's refusal of narrative lyrics.
• Influencia Obscura · The Raincoats (1979). Cobain's liner notes to Incesticide (1992) describe hunting down a Raincoats LP in London and meeting Ana da Silva at her antique shop, writing that the record made him feel like 'a fan' rather than a star. His advocacy prompted the band's 1990s reissues and reunion, and their scratchy, non-virtuoso, violin-haunted post-punk is audible in the loose, untutored playing Nirvana kept even at full budget.
• Local Roots · Gluey Porch Treatments by Melvins (1987). The Melvins were Aberdeen's other band and Nirvana's direct mentors: Buzz Osborne made Cobain and Novoselic punk mixtapes, drove them to shows, and introduced Cobain to Dave Grohl. Dale Crover played drums on Nirvana's 1988 demos and on Bleach tracks, and Osborne's crushing, deliberately slowed riffs are the single clearest local source for Nirvana's heaviest material.
• Beyond the Medium · Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs (1959). Cobain's cut-up, body-horror lyric method on In Utero — organs, meat, disease — runs straight through Burroughs, whom he idolized. In 1992 the two collaborated remotely on 'The 'Priest' They Called Him', Burroughs reading over Cobain's guitar noise, and Cobain later visited him in Lawrence, Kansas. Burroughs gave Nirvana's writing a permission to be grotesque and nonlinear rather than confessional.
• Peer · Goo by Sonic Youth (1990). Sonic Youth were Nirvana's older-sibling band: Kim Gordon persuaded Geffen to sign them, and Nirvana toured Europe with Sonic Youth in 1991, documented in Dave Markey's film 1991: The Year Punk Broke. Goo was the proof that a noise band could survive a major label, the exact path Nevermind followed a year later, and Gordon produced Hole's first album from within the same circle.
• From the Canon · Bleach by Nirvana (1989). Recorded at Reciprocal with Jack Endino for roughly $600, paid by Jason Everman, with Chad Channing and Dale Crover on drums. Bleach is Nirvana before the pop instincts were fully admitted: Melvins-weight riffs, Sub Pop fuzz, and buried in the middle 'About a Girl', the Beatles-shaped song that reveals where the band was actually headed. It explains Nevermind as refinement rather than invention.
• Key Collaborator · At Action Park by Shellac (1994). Albini engineered In Utero in 1993, insisting on live-room drums, minimal overdubs and a flat fee with no royalty points — the ethic that shaped the album's abrasion. Shellac's debut, released the same year, is his own band and the purest statement of that recording philosophy: no reverb, brutal clarity, every drum hit in the room. It shows what Cobain was buying when he hired him.
• Legacy · Frogstomp by Silverchair (1995). Recorded by Australian teenagers barely old enough to drive, Frogstomp was so openly modelled on Nirvana's dynamics and vocal rasp that the band spent years answering for the comparison, which they never denied as a starting point. It is the clearest evidence of Nevermind's immediate global reach: within four years the record had produced imitators on the other side of the world who had never seen Seattle.

What influenced Nirvana

• Led Zeppelin. The article says Nirvana adapted elements of Led Zeppelin’s sound. (also via Nirvana) “bands adapted elements from the "Zeppelin sound" of the mid-1970s, [ 206 ] [ 207 ] including the Smashing Pumpkins , [ 208 ] [ 209 ] Nirvana , [ 210 ] Pearl Jam , [ 211 ] and Soundgarden .” (Wikipedia)
• Sonic Youth. The article attributes Nirvana’s musical and label decisions in part to Sonic Youth’s influence. (also via Bleach, Nevermind, Goo) “Sonic Youth greatly influenced the grunge band Nirvana , both in their musical style and their decision to sign with DGC Records for the release of Nevermind ; bassist Krist Novoselic once said the band's goal was "to do as good as Sonic…” (Wikipedia)
• Pixies. The article names Nirvana among acts influenced by the Pixies. (also via Nevermind, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Surfer Rosa) “Their alternative rock sound influenced acts such as Nirvana , Radiohead , Modest Mouse , the Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer .” (Wikipedia)
• Melvins. The article identifies Melvins as an influence on Bleach. (via Bleach, Gluey Porch Treatments) “Bleach was influenced by the heavy dirge-rock of the Melvins, the 1980s punk rock of Mudhoney , and the 1970s heavy metal of Black Sabbath .” (Wikipedia)
• Mudhoney. The article identifies Mudhoney as an influence on Bleach. (via Bleach, Superfuzz Bigmuff) “Bleach was influenced by the heavy dirge-rock of the Melvins, the 1980s punk rock of Mudhoney , and the 1970s heavy metal of Black Sabbath .” (Wikipedia)
• Lead Belly. The article says Lead Belly’s rendition inspired Nirvana’s recording. “a cover of the same titled song by Nirvana , who in turn were inspired by blues guitar legend Lead Belly 's rendition of the traditional folk song.” (Wikipedia)
• Surfer Rosa by Pixies (1988). Surfer Rosa (Pixies) — titan for Nirvana “When Cobain heard the Pixies' 1988 album, Surfer Rosa, after recording Bleach, he felt it had the sound he wanted to achieve but had been too intimidated to try.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Raincoats by The Raincoats (1979). The Raincoats (The Raincoats) — ghost for Nirvana “In 1992, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana went into the Rough Trade Shop in Talbot Road, London, in search of a new copy of The Raincoats, and Jude Crighton sent him around the corner to see da Silva at her cousin's antique shop.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dum-Dum by The Vaselines (1989). Dum-Dum (The Vaselines) — ghost for Nirvana “It featured the songs "Molly's Lips" and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," both of which American rock band Nirvana would later cover.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Gang of Four. Cobain likened Nirvana’s early sound to Gang of Four. “Cobain described Nirvana's initial sound as "a Gang of Four and Scratch Acid ripoff".” (Wikipedia)
• Scratch Acid. Cobain likened Nirvana’s early sound to Scratch Acid. “Cobain described Nirvana's initial sound as "a Gang of Four and Scratch Acid ripoff".” (Wikipedia)
• Aerosmith. Azerrad says the band acknowledged growing up listening to Aerosmith. “Azerrad stated that by acknowledging that they had grown up listening to Black Sabbath and Aerosmith , they had been able to move on from their derivative early sound.” (Wikipedia)
• Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath (1970). The article identifies Black Sabbath as an influence on Bleach. (via Bleach) “Bleach was influenced by the heavy dirge-rock of the Melvins, the 1980s punk rock of Mudhoney , and the 1970s heavy metal of Black Sabbath .” (Wikipedia)
• My War by Black Flag (1984). My War (Black Flag) — titan for Nirvana (musicbrainz.org)
• Meet the Beatles! by The Beatles (1964). Meet the Beatles! (The Beatles) — titan for Nirvana (musicbrainz.org)
• Burning Farm by Shonen Knife (1983). Burning Farm (Shonen Knife) — ghost for Nirvana “Shonen Knife received significant international recognition later that year when longtime fan Kurt Cobain invited them to open for Nirvana during a European tour, shortly before Nirvana gained widespread fame for their album Nevermind.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs (1959). Naked Lunch (William S. Burroughs) — culture for Nirvana (openlibrary.org)
• Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind (1985). Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Patrick Süskind) — culture for Nirvana (wikidata.org)
• Over the Edge by Jonathan Kaplan (1979). Over the Edge (Jonathan Kaplan) — culture for Nirvana (themoviedb.org)

Peers and kindred spirits

• Joan Jett. Joan Jett sang with the Nirvana members at their induction. “Jett sang “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Gordon took on “Aneurysm,” St. Vincent performed “Lithium” and Lorde covered “All Apologies” with bassist Krist Novoselic, drummer Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear” (Rolling Stone)
• Kim Gordon. Kim Gordon sang with the Nirvana members at their induction. “Gordon took on “Aneurysm,” St. Vincent performed “Lithium” and Lorde covered “All Apologies” with bassist Krist Novoselic, drummer Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear” (Rolling Stone)
• St. Vincent by St. Vincent (2014). St. Vincent sang with the Nirvana members at their induction. “St. Vincent performed “Lithium” and Lorde covered “All Apologies” with bassist Krist Novoselic, drummer Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear” (Rolling Stone)
• Lorde. Lorde sang with the Nirvana members at their induction. “Lorde covered “All Apologies” with bassist Krist Novoselic, drummer Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear after the band was inducted by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe .” (Rolling Stone)
• J Mascis. J Mascis guest-sang with the Nirvana members. “When I walked in, they were running over their set with J Mascis.” (Rolling Stone)
• John McCauley. John McCauley guest-sang with the Nirvana members. “When I got up onstage, it was a lull, because we were trying to figure out what song to do next and there was just feedback and us yelling at each other and Dave was like, “Wow this is like a real Nirvana show!”” (Rolling Stone)
• Beck. Beck accompanied Novoselic and Grohl during their reunion performance. “The reunion, a unique talent constellation that also featured Beck , St. Vincent and Grohl's daughter Violet rounding out the band” (Grammy.com)
• Post Malone. Post Malone performed with the reunited Nirvana members. “Post Malone played a bunch of Nirvana songs in a livestream on YouTube broadcasted on Friday.” (SPIN)
• Half Japanese. Half Japanese supported Nirvana on tour. “Half Japanese and Everett True joined the band onstage for a noisy jam on "I Wanna Be Your Dog." Jad Fair did the vocals through a distorted megaphone” (LiveNIRVANA.com)
• The Breeders. The Breeders supported Nirvana on tour. “Our bus leaves at midnight usually, so it's perfect. It's so great! Nirvana do the best dumb songs in the world! They're dumb in a good way, like The Ramones.” (Melody Maker)
• Lori Goldston. Goldston played cello in Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance. “In the mainstream world she is probably best known as the cellist for Nirvana’s MTV ‘Unplugged in New York’.” (OCCII)
• Pat Smear. Nirvana added Smear as a touring guitarist. “NIRVANA have recruited ex-Germs guitarist Pat Smear to play second guitar on their forthcoming US tour.” (Melody Maker)
• Steve Albini. Nirvana chose Steve Albini to produce In Utero. (via In Utero) “Albini later produced Nirvana's 1993 In Utero at the request of Cobain.” (Wikipedia)
• At Action Park by Shellac (1994). At Action Park (Shellac) — collaborator for Nirvana “He formed Shellac with Bob Weston and Todd Trainer in 1992, with whom he released several albums, including At Action Park (1994) and 1000 Hurts (2000); To All Trains was released ten days after his death.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Garbage by Garbage (1995). Garbage (Garbage) — collaborator for Nirvana “Bryan David "Butch" Vig (born August 2, 1955) is an American musician, record producer, and songwriter who is the drummer and co-producer of the rock band Garbage.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Fist Sized Chunks by Skin Yard (1990). Fist Sized Chunks (Skin Yard) — collaborator for Nirvana “He was also the guitarist for Seattle band Skin Yard, which was active between 1985 and 1992.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dave Grohl (1969). Grohl's prior band membership noted. “Dave Grohl , the Foo Fighters' frontman and former drummer of Nirvana , temporarily filled in for Champion while he was recuperating.” (Wikipedia)
• "Here She Comes Now". Nirvana covered the Velvet Underground song Here She Comes Now. “The meditative "Here She Comes Now" was later covered by Galaxie 500 , Cabaret Voltaire , and Nirvana , among others.” (Wikipedia)
• The New Standard. The article states that The New Standard interprets songs by Nirvana. “In 1995, the release of The New Standard had Hancock and an all-star band that included John Scofield , DeJohnette and Michael Brecker , interpreting pop songs by Nirvana , Stevie Wonder , the Beatles , Prince , Peter Gabriel , and others.” (Wikipedia)
• Gluey Porch Treatments by Melvins (1987). Gluey Porch Treatments (Melvins) — geography for Nirvana “The pair became friends while frequenting the practice space of the Melvins.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney (1988). Superfuzz Bigmuff (Mudhoney) — geography for Nirvana “Bleach was influenced by the heavy dirge-rock of the Melvins, the 1980s punk rock of Mudhoney, and the 1970s heavy metal of Black Sabbath.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Sweet Oblivion by Screaming Trees (1992). Sweet Oblivion (Screaming Trees) — geography for Nirvana “Late in 1991, Nirvana's Nevermind became an unexpected commercial success, opening the gates for the rest of the Seattle scene.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Goo by Sonic Youth (1990). Goo (Sonic Youth) — peer for Nirvana “Dale Crover filled in on drums on Nirvana's seven-date American West Coast tour with Sonic Youth that August.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Bug by Dinosaur Jr. (1988). Bug (Dinosaur Jr.) — peer for Nirvana “Together they embarked on several tours to support Green Mind, with support acts that included Nirvana.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Bricks Are Heavy by L7 (1992). Bricks Are Heavy (L7) — peer for Nirvana “L7's next album, Smell the Magic, was released in 1990 on Sub Pop and earned a four star review by Rolling Stone who stated "With Donita Sparks' and Suzi Gardner's twin lockstep guitars racing down the highway to hell, Smell the Magic wa…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Kurt Cobain. Cobain co-founded Nirvana. “Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic , the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing , before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990.” (Wikipedia)
• Krist Novoselic. Novoselic co-founded Nirvana. “Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic , the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing , before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990.” (Wikipedia)
• Love Buzz by Shocking Blue. Nirvana covered Shocking Blue’s song. “Nirvana released its first single, a cover of Shocking Blue 's " Love Buzz ", in November 1988 on the Seattle independent record label Sub Pop .” (Wikipedia)
• The Jesus Lizard. Nirvana and the Jesus Lizard released a split single. “In February 1993, Nirvana released "Puss" / "Oh, the Guilt" , a split single with the Jesus Lizard , on the independent label Touch & Go .” (Wikipedia)
• Dan Peters. Dan Peters recorded “Sliver” with Nirvana. “That July, Nirvana recorded the single " Sliver " with Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters .” (Wikipedia)
• Dale Crover. Dale Crover played with Nirvana on its first demos. “They temporarily lost contact with Burckhard, and instead practiced with Dale Crover of the Melvins, with whom Nirvana recorded its first demos in January 1988.” (Wikipedia)
• Meat Puppets. Meat Puppets members joined Nirvana to perform their songs. “Instead, they performed several covers, and invited Cris and Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets to join them for renditions of three Meat Puppets songs.” (Wikipedia)
• The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie. Nirvana covered David Bowie’s song for MTV Unplugged. “Novoselic and Grohl reunited to perform the David Bowie song " The Man Who Sold the World ", which Nirvana had covered in their MTV Unplugged performance.” (Wikipedia)
• Paul McCartney (1942). Three Nirvana members performed with Paul McCartney. “In 2012, Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear joined Paul McCartney at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief .” (Wikipedia)
• Violet Grohl. Violet Grohl sang at the surviving members’ 2020 benefit performance. “Grohl's daughter Violet was invited to perform "Heart-Shaped Box," the lead single off Nirvana's 1993 album, In Utero .” (Grammy.com)
• Pearl Jam. In a contemporaneous account, True links Nirvana and Pearl Jam as prominent grunge acts. “the two bands who have, between them, defined the genre. On worldwide (MTV) terms, anyway.” (Melody Maker)
• Jack Endino. Jack Endino produced the recording sessions for Bleach. (via Bleach) “The following month, the band began recording its debut album, Bleach , with local producer Jack Endino .” (Wikipedia)
• Butch Vig. Nirvana chose Butch Vig to produce Nevermind. (via Nevermind) “After signing, the band began recording its first major label album, Nevermind . The group was offered a number of producers, but held out for Vig.” (Wikipedia)
• Twelve. Twelve includes a cover of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. (via Smells Like Teen Spirit) “Nirvana's " Smells Like Teen Spirit ", and Rolling Stones' " Gimme Shelter ".” (Wikipedia)
• The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill (1998). MTV Unplugged in New York (Nirvana) — collaborator for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (via MTV Unplugged in New York) (musicbrainz.org)

Who Nirvana influenced

• Cage the Elephant (2006). Second album Thank You, Happy Birthday was influenced by Nirvana. (also via Nevermind) “their exposure to bands such as Nirvana , Foals and Gang of Four helped shape their early alt rock and punk sound” (Wikipedia)
• Kid Cudi. In Utero (Nirvana) — culture for Kid Cudi (via In Utero, WZRD) “According to Cudi, bands that inspired the album include Electric Light Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Pink Floyd.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Tove Lo (1987). Article notes Nirvana's music as an influence on Lo through Kurt Cobain. (also via Nevermind) “as well as the rawness and honesty of his music with his band Nirvana” (Wikipedia)
• WZRD by Kid Cudi and Dot da Genius. Cudi names Nirvana as an inspiration for the WZRD album. (also via Where Did You Sleep Last Night?) “According to Cudi, bands that inspired the album include Electric Light Orchestra , Jimi Hendrix , Nirvana and Pink Floyd .” (Wikipedia)
• Portishead (1991). The Guardian headline quote comparing Portishead's Dummy to Nirvana rather than chillout music. “'Dummy wasn't a chillout album. Portishead had more in common with Nirvana'” (Wikipedia)
• Bootleg Redux Grunge. Nirvana's smiley face logo was used, allegedly without permission, on Marc Jacobs' Bootleg Redux Grunge collection. “the band Nirvana sued Marc Jacobs over the rights to the band's "smiley face" logo, arguing that the brand had been using a "virtually identical" logo on its "Bootleg Redux Grunge" clothing collection without permission.” (Wikipedia)
• Julian Casablancas. Casablancas is reported to have named Nirvana as a major influence. “Additionally, he has stated that Bob Marley , [ 124 ] Nirvana and Pearl Jam are major influences on his work” (Wikipedia)
• Frogstomp by Silverchair (1995). Frogstomp (Silverchair) — legacy for Nirvana “In a 1994 interview with Melbourne magazine Buzz, the band claimed the name derived from a radio request for "Sliver" by Nirvana and "Berlin Chair" by You Am I being mixed up as Silver Chair.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge by My Chemical Romance (2004). Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (My Chemical Romance) — legacy for Nirvana “Both videos were directed by Samuel Bayer, director of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", as well as the music videos for the Green Day album American Idiot.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Creep. "Creep" was likened to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as a slacker anthem. (via Smells Like Teen Spirit) “a " slacker anthem" in the vein of " Smells Like Teen Spirit " by Nirvana and " Loser " by Beck” (Wikipedia)
• Sixteen Stone by Bush (1994). Sixteen Stone (Bush) — legacy for Nirvana (musicbrainz.org)
• Marc Jacobs (1963). Nevermind (Nirvana) — culture for Marc Jacobs (via Nevermind) (musicbrainz.org)
• Dan Reynolds (1987). Reynolds names Nirvana as an influence.