BuzzSugar

15 Years Later: Remembering Kurt Cobain

BuzzSugar — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:30:44 PDT

On April 5, 1994, Kurt Cobain, the enigmatic lead singer of Seattle's successful grunge-era band Nirvana, took his own life. I can't believe it was 15 years ago today because it still feels like just yesterday that my little teen self was trying to process this terrible news. I listed Nevermind as one of my favorite albums of all time in part because "Smells Like Teen Spirit" seemingly came out of nowhere to capture all my adolescent angst in one song.

Many of Cobain's lyrics seemed nonsensical or hard to decipher but there was something about the raw emotion in his voice that hit a global nerve. After only three years in the spotlight his death unleashed a shock wave that reverberates to this day.

Do you remember where you were when this news broke? How did his music affect you?

After the jump I've included some of my favorite performances by the band on MTV's Unplugged. Rocking out to Nirvana is good times, but there was something so stunning about the band's stripped down Unplugged performance, I thought it would be an appropriate way to look back. To watch,

Awesome 11-Year-Old Rocks "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

GiggleSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:00:00 PST

So this guitar prodigy, Sungha Jung, locked himself in his room for 60 hours after a fight with his mother and learned Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." He didn't just learn it. He puts an interesting, haunting spin on it. I get in a fight with my mother? I just eat a whole bag of potato chips and drink too much scotch. I guess that's what separates mere mortals like myself from 11-year-old guitar prodigies.

Buzz In: What Should Be Your State's Rock Song?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:30:52 PDT

In charming civic-type news, The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??" has been nominated for official Oklahoma rock song, apparently the token indie rock entry in a list that includes the likes of Elvis Presley and, well, Oklahoma. As Pitchfork writes:

"Oklahoma already has an official state song ("Oklahoma," from the musical, natch), a state folk song, and a state country-and-western tune. What they don't have just yet is an official state rock'n'roll song. And that is where you come in."

The state legislature has ordered Oklahomans to vote here before Nov. 15 - though as far as I can tell, anyone can vote, 'cause the computer has no way of knowing whether or not you're an Oklahoman - for whichever rock song you like.

This is a pretty fun idea, so I think we should start thinking of the official rock songs for the rest of the 49 states! For example, it seems to me Washington should probably at least nominate "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana as one of theirs (it seems the Evergreen State only has a state folk song). Maybe something from my 50 Songs for 50 States challenge could get you started.

What do you think? What other songs would you nominate for which states?

Source and Source

Smells Like Paul Anka

GiggleSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:11 PDT

Here's another sign that Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is now a classic. Not only is the baby on the cover now 17 years old, but the tune has also been covered by crooner Paul Anka (on his 2005 Rock Swings album, apparently). I defy you not to get this catchy version stuck in your head: "Nirvana. Yes, Nirvana! Come on!""

Quote of the Day

GiggleSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:00:00 PDT

"Quite a few people in the world have seen my penis. So that's kinda cool."
- Spencer Elden, the 17-year-old better known as the baby floating toward the dollar bill on Nirvana's 1991 album, Nevermind. Click here to read more about the angsty teen.

EW Picks the Best 25 Indie Rock Albums - Do You Agree?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:30:52 PDT

Ah, top 25 lists. I know some people hate to list music in this way because it's so hard (I know this first hand) to compare albums and favorite songs much less pick favorites. A wise first step for any list maker is to narrow the field by genre, which is what EW recently did to choose the best indie albums from each year, from 1984 up until the present.

They also gave themselves some rules for which albums are eligible, including defining "independent" as "the bands had to have been signed to an independent label for the given album" (so, Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirt doesn't count because that album was released on Geffen Records) and they have to be bands, not individual artists, which is why you won't see Elliott Smith or Sufjan Stevens in there.

Here are the picks for the past five years:

2008: Radiohead, In Rainbows
2007: Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
2006: The Hold Steady, Boys and Girls in America
2005: Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
2004: Arcade Fire, Funeral

I have a nit to pick with their 2006 choice and probably would have chosen Band of Horses, Everything All the Time for the best of that year. What do you think? Anyone missing? To see the rest of the list,

2003: The White Stripes, Elephant
2002: Interpol, Turn on the Bright Lights
2001: The Shins, Oh, Inverted World
2000: Yo La Tengo, And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out
1999: Sleater-Kinney, The Hot Rock
1998: Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
1997: Modest Mouse, Lonesome Crowded West
1996: Belle and Sebastian, If You're Feeling Sinister
1995: Archers of Loaf, Vee Vee
1994: Guided By Voices, Bee Thousand
1993: Built to Spill, Ultimate Alternative Wavers
1992: Pavement, Slanted and Enchanted
1991: My Bloody Valentine, Loveless
1990: Fugazi, Repeater
1989: The Pixies, Doolittle
1988: Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation
1987: Dinosour Jr., You're Living All Over Me
1986: R.E.M., Life's Rich Pageant
1985: The Smiths, Meat Is Murder
1984: The Replacements, Let It Be

Source

Smells Like Teen Spirit + Bootylicious = Bizarre

GiggleSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:00:00 PST

What's the difference between Generation X and Generation Y? This video might provide an answer.

Sugardaddy: Dave Grohl Rocks My World

babysugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:00:47 PST

Rock stars often have inexplicable sex appeal. Maybe it's they way they jam on the guitar or toss their tousled hair from side to side, but for me Dave Grohl's appeal is directly linked to the father factor - how adorable he is with his 21–month–old daughter, Violet Maye.

Quite the family man, he and wife Jordyn Blum, are often seen hanging out at the park and farmer's market with their wee one.

The rocker, who just turned 39 this week, doesn't show his age a bit. This is surprising since the hard worker has been a musician and songwriter for more than half of his life.

To see why I have a crush on this Sugardaddy, just read more. Grohl got his start with the band, Scream before he hammered away on the drums for the grunge groundbreaking, Nirvana. After Kurt Cobain's death, Grohl formed the Foo Fighters and soaked up the spotlight as lead singer and guitarist. He also collaborated with musical stars from various genres, including actor Jack Black and his band, Tenacious D. Aside from taking darling Violet out for jaunts around town, this sweet daddy also finds time to help strangers in need. According to the BBC, in 2006 Grohl made good on a promise he made to two miners in Australia. After hearing that the trapped miners who had been involved in an accident wanted an MP3 player loaded with Foo Fighters music to keep them company, Grohl sent an email that said,

"Though I'm halfway around the world right now, my heart is with you both, and I want you to know that when you come home, there's two tickets to any Foos show, anywhere, and two cold beers waiting for yous. Deal? Looking forward to sharing them with you . . . Come home safe, and we'll see you soon. Dave Grohl.""

The miners survived and took Grohl up on his offer. Sounds Iike he gives the best, the best, the best, the best of himself.

View 7 Photos ›

Pacific Coast News

Kurt Cobain Toy: Love It or Hate It?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:30:00 PST

Bella recently stumbled across this Kurt Cobain toy from National Entertainment Collectibles. The $23 figure is based on Nirvana's appearance on MTV's Unplugged and shows Cobain in jeans and a gray sweater, hunched over his guitar.

I'm not sure how to feel about this, so I'm turning to you: Is the Kurt toy a sweet tribute to a musical icon - or is it a tacky way to capitalize on Cobain's death?

Source

VH1 Counts Down the 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:30:15 PST

Starting Monday, VH1 will be paying tribute to the eclectic music of the '90s with 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s, a countdown of hits from Nirvana to Hanson and everywhere in between. A while back, the network asked viewers to vote on their favorites from a pre-selected list of 100 songs, and this week-long special will reveal how those votes shook out.

Clocking in at No. 1: Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." U2s "One" is next, then the Backstreet Boys with "I Want It That Way" at No. 3. Whitney Houston, Madonna, Britney Spears, Sir Mix-a-Lot, TLC, REM, and Sinead O'Connor all make appearances in the top 10, making for a list that sounds a lot like the soundtrack to my junior high dances.

Looking over the list again, I am impressed that it's so comprehensive, with entries from The Cranberries, Spin Doctors, Beck, Weezer, Counting Crows, and pretty much every other artist whose music I ever tried to tape off the radio during Rick Dees' weekly top 40. But I still can't believe there's no "The Sign." How can you have a Best of the '90s list without Ace of Base? A few of the other biggies that didn't make the list - "Gangsta's Paradise," "Just a Girl," "No Rain," "Whoomp! There It Is" - at least get a mention in this set of 50 songs that barely missed the cut.

Check out the full ranking of the 100 songs and let me know: What's right - and what's just horribly wrong? You can also see the top 25 when you

read more. 1. Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 2. U2 "One" 3. Backstreet Boys "I Want It That Way" 4. Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" 5. Madonna "Vogue" 6. Sir Mix-A-Lot "Baby Got Back" 7. Britney Spears "... Baby One More Time" 8. TLC "Waterfalls" 9. R.E.M. "Losing My Religion" 10. Sinead O'Connor "Nothing Compares 2 U" 11. Pearl Jam "Jeremy" 12. Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know" 13. Dr. Dre (featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg) "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" 14. Mariah Carey "Vision of Love" 15. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Under the Bridge" 16. MC Hammer "U Can't Touch This" 17. Destiny's Child "Say My Name" 18. Metallica "Enter Sandman" 19. Beastie Boys "Sabotage" 20. Hanson "MMMBop" 21. Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On" 22. Beck "Loser" 23. Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue "Whatta Man" 24. House of Pain "Jump Around" 25. Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun"