Kurt Cobain was not only the most influential songwriter of his generation, but he was also the most outspoken. This was appropriate, as he had previously discussed The Beatles’ influence on him. He also said how he felt a particular kindred spirit in their late leader, John Lennon, another opinionated voice of a generation.
Cobain added texture to his character during his brief time in the spotlight. It did so by offering a variety of hot takes on various subjects. From tearing into The Charlatans and the wider Madchester scene to gushing about cult acts like Shonen Knife, Cobain’s ability to keep fans on their toes seemed to come naturally to him.
Cobain’s most intriguing takes were the negative ones. This is because they not only provide insight into his complex inner workings, but they are often humorous. It straddles the line between ironic and genuinely insightful.
When he spoke to BigO in 1992, he told one of the most intriguing stories. It was suggested to the frontman that as Nirvana became more successful, a slew of posers claiming to be grungey and rebellious would rise in their wake. Cobain claimed that it had already occurred and named three groups that he despised as a result.
These were The Nymphs, as well as Seattle peers Alice in Chains and Pearl Jams, the latter of whom he claimed to despise. This would not be his first time disparaging Eddie Vedder’s band. According to him, both Seattle groups had emerged from the hair metal scene. He made it very clear that he hated this movement more than any other.
“Yeah, and it’s already happening!” Cobain explained. There are a few bands that I despise, and I won’t hesitate to name them. The Nymphs, Alice In Chains, and, most notably, Pearl Jam are among them. They are simply career-minded bands looking to make big bucks, and we have been unfairly lumped in with them. But, in the end, it’s the music, and kids will know what’s bad.”
They asked the leader of Nirvana if this idea contradicted the central theme of Nirvana’s biggest hit, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ which was about the kids not having opinions. He replied: “I’m not pointing the finger at the kids, it’ll make me look like a father figure. It does not intend to declare who is right and who is wrong. There’s a line that goes, ‘It’s fun to lose and to pretend, which is about trying even though you know you’re gonna lose. Because the fun part is the trying part, and when you lose, you can pretend.”
