
111 - Nirvana with Everett True (Olympia, Washington)
From Music Maps Podcast by Rock n Roll Book Club
April 12, 2026 · 45 min · Episode 111
About this episode
The episode features an interview with Everett True discussing Nirvana's formation and early influences.
Join us for our first episode on one of the seminal bands of the 90s - Nirvana with legendary music writer Everett True. His book Nirvana - The True Story is out now. Kurt Cobain & Krist Novoselic meet in Aberdeen, Washington but it’s in Tacoma & Olympia where the band really comes together. We hear about Kurt’s early influences including The Melvins, The Raincoats, The Pastels, Teenage Fanclub, Young Marble Giants, Bikini Kill & various releases on local label K Records. The first gig billed as Nirvana takes place at the Community World Theatre in Tacoma. Nirvana sign to Sub Pop Records in Seattle & their debut single Love Buzz comes out as part of the Singles Club series. We hear about the influence of other local bands Mudhoney & Soundgarden. The debut album Bleach is made for $600 & Everett conducts his first interview with the band not long after. The band tour the UK starting at Newcastle Riverside & Everett himself joins them onstage at a gig in Nottingham. Original drummer Chan Channing leaves Nirvana & is replaced by Dave Grohl as the band sign a major label deal with Geffen Records & producer…
People in this episode
Guest: Everett True
Topics covered
- Nirvana
- Everett True
- 90s music
- Kurt Cobain
- local music scene
- grunge
- music history
Keywords
- Nirvana
- Everett True
- Kurt Cobain
- grunge
- music history
- Bleach
- Nevermind
- local bands
- Sub Pop
- Geffen
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Sub Pop Records, Geffen Records, K Records
Books & works: Nirvana - The True Story, Bleach, Nevermind, Love Buzz, Smells Like Teen Spirit
Places: Aberdeen, Washington, Tacoma, Olympia, Seattle, Newcastle Riverside, Nottingham, Reading Festival
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