When you are part of the largest counter culture movement of your day, you will always be subjected to the most intense scrutiny, no band from the 90’s were ogled more intensely than Nirvana. Seattle’s Grunge overlords started something that was so much bigger than themselves, that it would eventually collapse under it’s own weight after the tragic death of poster boy Kurt Cobain. What Nirvana left in their wake was three studio albums that provided an entire generation of the disenfranchised a platform. Grunge had died but what it stood for was still sounding louder than ever. Nirvana’s stellar initial effort Bleach was released 25 years ago, and the impact of that record as well as the two that followed is still being felt today. In Utero and especially Nevermind are cited as inspirations for a large number of artists from a huge cross section of music, and many of them choose to honour the classics contained within by covering them, be it in the studio or live on stage.

Below is a variety of these covers, some are straight up and choose to stick to the original formula, and some take an interesting view on a classic.

The Dillinger Escape Plan- Territorial Pissings

Territorial Pissings was Nirvana at their most ferocious, it’s snarling and angry, so when put into the hand of Planet Earths most intense band it morphs into another beast. To claim that a Nirvana song can be improved upon is pure sacrilege, but at the same time Greg and Co’s approach to the 3 chord classic takes a lot of what the original does and improve upon it. Famously used to end their set at 1992’s Reading Festival, before the inevitable massacre of stage that followed, it’s a musical manifestation of chaos. Dillingers attempt takes all these characteristics and dials them up to 10, they are a band that knows nothing but how to harness madness and turn it into music. Kerrang’s choice to have them to play on the Nevermind tribute album was inspired, and now we all have this cover to cherish.

Richard Cheese- Rape Me

To claim Richard Cheese’s cover of Rape Me is a tribute would be foolish. Cheese is of course a novelty act after all, albeit a novelty act with a tonne of talent, and the ability to choose a song and completely change the tone of it whilst maintaining the quality. He can take something dreary, battered and disgusting, then change it into a flashy, over the top and utterly ridiculous showpiece. He’s like the West Coast Customs of Lounge music. Cobain always said he wrote Rape Me to be purposefully blunt, after the meaning of Polly was completely lost on so many people, he wanted something that people could never misconstrue. It’s a song thats almost so over the top that it strays into the dangerous territory of being a parody of itself. For this reason it actually makes sense that Cheese would pick it for a cheery longue infusion. The first time I heard this cover it left me looking around the room feeling utterly bemused, for that reason it’s certainly a noteworthy cover.

Every Time I Die- Tourette’s

Every Time I Die are not unlike Dillinger in there execution and stage presence, they ooze masculinity and know how to lay waste to anything they get their hands on. Another song from the heavier end of the Grunge spectrum, Tourette’s can be interpreted in many ways, but the only thing for certain is that any two versions of the song are never the same. Cobain would often change the lyrics around, the song is about outbursts so it would of course make no sense to always stick to the same formula. If any band today stands for this message it’s ETID, they’re a band that perfectly encompasses the spirit of the song, and so it’s perfect that it’s found it’s way in to the New Yorkers set list. The cover is brutally heavy and utilizes the extra guitar to make it sound more pissed off than ever.

Muse- Lithium

Muse and Nirvana share more in common than most people would think. They are both 3 pieces characterised by a larger than life front-man, both bands received very little exposure with their first albums, and were promptly catapulted into the stratosphere with their second, and finally both bands at times had to deal with personal demons, in each case these demons defined them in different ways. For better or for worse, Kurt Cobain was not a singer, on the other hand Bellamy’s vocal range is colossal. Nirvana songs were not written to be sung by Pavaroti by any stretch of the imagination, but to hear them put in the hands of someone with an incredible singing voice is fantastic. Muse have always cited Nirvana as one of the bands that encouraged them to pursue music, and a quick Youtube will bring up a number of covers over the years that the Devon trio have reeled off. It’s perhaps Lithium that is their most soaring, it was the ultimate Nirvana sing-along track and fits the Muse aesthetic more than any other song in the Grunge catalogue.

2 Cellos- Smells Like Teen Spirit

Teen Spirit is the quint-essential Nirvana anthem, if mentioned to a casual outsider then chances are Smells Like Teen Spirit will be the first four words to leave their mouth. Everyone from Miley Cyrus to Paul Anka have covered it, with Anka’s especially being absolutely hilarious. No single genre has been spared in the ever increasing tidal wave of covers. This is where 2 Cello’s comes in. Trying to classify them isn’t easy, but effectively they are two incredibly talented Cello players smashing out some of the best Rock & Metal songs of all time. The reason I’ve picked this cover over any number of ridiculous attempts is that it is so original. It’s only when gritty music is played on a more delicate instrument that you realise how beautiful the composition can be. Teen Spirit is normally seen as a rallying anthem about youthful decadence, and yet when framed in a different light it sounds almost wounded. I was lucky enough to see this performed live as an opener for Elton John last year, I’ve never felt so conflicted in my whole life, part of me wanted to mosh, and the other half wanted to stand in quiet appreciation.

Rise Against- Sliver

Rise Against’s own form of politically charged, Punk Rock is special in itself, but the juxtaposition on this track is pretty funny. For a band that usually is all about getting their message across, deciding to throw down a cover of this Nirvana song was a interesting choice. Originally off of Incesticide, a collection of Covers and B-sides, Sliver is a song that’s purely about a young Cobains disdain for going to his Grandparents house when his parents were out. It does not have an ulterior motive, it is literally about crying and eating dinner there “Had to eat my dinner there, Mash Potatoes and stuff like that” It’s Kurt being refreshingly silly, and Rise Against seem to appreciate this. The cover itself is fun, much more musical and less emotionally raw than the original, it’s a decent effort at refreshing a lesser known classic.

Nirvana are obviously a band that inspired so many, I think it’s the grunge ideal of just picking up an instrument, playing with your friends and writing about what you like that so many people can relate to. They weren’t put together by a label, nor were they some incredible super group. They were simply a group of men who enjoyed making, playing and listening to music, and it translates in everything they do. The early demise of Kurt Cobain -and subsequently the band- left an insurmountable chasm in the musical world, It’s anyones guess what may of happened had that April tragedy not occurred, but true talent shines on, it’s always of utmost importance to honour what they gave us. Be that by wearing their T-Shirts, buying their albums, or covering their music.

@C_Spearman