"We remember Kurt for what he was: caring, generous and sweet. Let's keep the music with us. We'll always have it. Kurt had an ethic towards his fans that was rooted in the punk rock way of thinking. No band is special, no player royalty. If you've got a guitar and a lot of soul, just bang something out and mean it. You're the superstar. Collecting the tones and rhythms that are uniquely and universally human: music! Heck, use your guitar as a drum. Just catch the groove and let it flow out of your heart."
"That's the level that Kurt spoke to us on: in our hearts. And that's where he and his music will always be forever."
Krist Novoselic
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In the year since Kurt Cobain took his life, Krist Novoselic has mainly diverted his energies into reflection and politics. While writing a book, he helped activist Richard White organise the Joint Artists' and Music Promotions Political Action Committee (aka JAMPAC). It was initially established 18 February 1995, in response to a pair of state attempts at music censorship: Bills SB 5466 and HB1448. JAMPAC's parent organisation is the Washington State Music Coalition (WMIC: telephone US 206-622-7177). When WMIC organised a public rally, Novoselic attended and spoke to the reporters present. His comments included the following:
"We are an economic force and we want to get the respect that is due us...The only way you do anything is to become really active. And the most effective way to get your message to your elected representatives is to make campaign contributions and develop relationships with them."
Both Novoselic and Dave Grohl have been released from their Nirvana contract with Geffen. In addition to teaching local youngsters music, Novoselic has been working up a three piece band in which he will retain the role of bassist. Currently the band's name is Sweet 75, the singer is Yva Las Vegas, and Bobbie Lurie plays the drums.
Novoselic has played only once with Dave Grohl. They appeared in Olympia, Washington, backing Stinky Puffs, the band fronted by musician Jad Fair's son. Now 11, the boy is a talent Kurt Cobain had encouraged since the age of six. On March 3, Grohl also premiered his new band, Foo Fighters, in Portland, Oregon. The gig came in a 4-day benefit series for the Mia Zapata Investigative Fund. (This fund aids the search for a murdered Seattle singer.) A night later, Foo Fighters played again in Seattle.
Foo Fighters personnel include: ex-Germ, ex-Nirvana player Pat Smear on guitar, Sunny Day Real Estate's Nate Mendel and William Goldsmith on bass and drums and Grohl as singer-guitarist frontman. Grohl will bring a Foo Fighters LP out this summer on his own label, Rosswell. The label's name comes from America's Rosswell air force base -- repuredly the scene of several UFO sightings.
Rather than bring you another "tribute", we speak with the man who made Cobain's favourite film. And, in the spirit of Krist Novoselic's advice, we recommend Nirvana's home video. It is the band's own critique of their legacy -- and the best.
Picture courtesy of Juergen Teller