CREDIT WHERE CREDIT’S DUE

Rip It Up, Issue 220, 1 December 1995, Page 8

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT’S DUE

As Nirvana seem to be one of the biggest debate topics since the lead singer’s passing, I thought I would give you my opinion on their acheivments.

Although I do agree Nirvana were a very good band, I feel they have been given too much credit for spurning the birth of alternative music and opening the way for other bands with similar musical tastes. There were many bands building the base work and coming close to the standards Nirvana did set before the release of the landmark Nevermind album. Bands such as the Pixies and Jane’s Addiction had been steadily gaining ‘cult’ followings previous to Nevermind. If neither of these bands had broken up, I am sure they would have gained more deserved credit for this turnaround in music. It is also obvious Nirvana were influenced heavily by these bands, and they chose to play similar to their own musical choices. It is obvious the Pixies and Sonic Youth were playing this sort of music years before the release of Nevermind. Bands such as these had the musical potential undoubt-

edly, but possibly not the marketability Nirvana held.

I think rather than Nirvana making the breakthrough (remember, Nevermind was not their first album), it was the music listeners who finally found the Top 40 a sad, stale affair, and went in search of something new. It was just coincidental Nirvana released Nevermind during this time, ard were able to capatilise (with the help of Geffen, MTV, etc.), and drum Nirvana onto the youth in a big way. I believe this musical ‘revolution’ still would have happened even if Nirvana didn’t exist, but people would be saluting (or clinging on to) other artists — people such as Black Francis, Perry Farrell, Thurston Moore or Van Conner, whose input was very high to the surge in interest of alternative music. These people were inflential in creating and broadening the musical domain ‘Generation Geek’ is now thriving on. So, again, don’t get me wrong, but give credit where credit is due. Nirvana made some great music, but it was not Kurt Cobain by himself who changed music as we know it today. Dave Campbell, Paraparaumu.