Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic have been discussing the “spiritual” impact of their recent decision to bring back Nirvana.

At a recent surprise show Cal Jam Festival, Grohl and Novoselic launched into a set of six Nirvana songs as part of Foo Fighters’ encore. The band performed the likes of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, ‘All Apologies’, ‘In Bloom’ and more as John McCauley and Joan Jett stood in for Kurt Cobain.

Alongside former touring guitarist Pat Smear, they explained the decision making and the process that led to the reunion: “When Pat, Krist and I sat down to go through those songs in a small rehearsal room with concrete walls, it fuckin’ sounded like Nirvana,” Grohl said in a new interview with Kerrang!

“It was like being shot into outer space,” he said. “Being able to play that drum fill and break into the chorus…it’s spiritual, physical, emotional.”

[MORE] – Exploring the incredible friendship of Kurt Cobain, Nirvana and RuPaul

“We would look at each other and smile, but the emotions would kind of go in waves because there was someone missing – and you wish that you could still share those songs with Kurt,” he continued.

Just before playing ‘All Apologies’, Novoselic and Grohl thanked the crowd and asked for a big cheer for Kurt Cobain and, for Novoselic, playing ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ was an emotional moment: “I will cherish that moment for a long time because it was pretty special,” he said.

Nirvana reunion setlist

‘Serve The Servants’ (with John McCauley)

‘Scentless Apprentice’ (with John McCauley)

‘In Bloom’ (with John McCauley)

‘Breed’ (with Joan Jett)

‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ (with Joan Jett)

‘All Apologies’ (with Joan Jett and Brody Dalle)