‘A Smell Like Teen Spirits’
’Nevermind’ is the title of one of the most iconic and defining rock albums of all times released by the Seattle group Nirvana. On September 24th 2021 the album celebrates the 30th anniversary of its release. The jubilee marks the peak of what is referred to “the-grunge-wave”. A phenomenon, genre, sound and lifestyle which emerged from Seattle during the 1990s and grew to later spread around the world. In no time, bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains went from being part of an underground culture, to being dominant and mainstream in the fast moving and fast changing rock industry.
It is probably a utopian hope to believe that a new version of Nirvana are preparing to reenter the world stage – but their legacy can’t be dismissed and Seattle is still a musical institution. The local radio station, KEXP, is world renowned and still do what they can to promote local artists. However despite this, the city’s cultural life is under immense pressure. Tech companies like Amazon and Getty Images have caused a drastic rise in prices on the housing market, which has forced a lot of creatives to leave the city. The question remains, is Seattle’s long lasting hallmark – music culture – dying out, or will this phenomenon live on in the north western American coastal city?
The live scene is very much still alive in Seattle. El Corazon is a historical music venue that still clings on to it’s identity and gives upcoming musicians a chance to perform. Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains have played this small venue that houses up to 800 people. El Corazon has for a while been under pressure from outside investors, who want to tear down the building and replace it with office spaces. Big support from the local area and musicians from all over the world means that the music venue still exists and offers live music several times a week.
The Seattle radio, KEXP, came into existence in 1972. The radio station was among the first in the world to play Nirvana and Pearl Jam and had a major role in the general promotion of the grunge genre. KEXP now has over 200.000 international listeners daily and has received cult status amongst music lovers.
Don Yates has worked at KEXP as a music director since 1992. “The music scene is extremely versatile in Seattle lately. It is one big mix of metal, hard core punk, hip hop, jazz, R&B, blues, psych-pop, country, electronic music and lots more. I don’t think grunge is on the verge of a mega come back. It isn’t impossible, but if it happens, Seattle probably won’t be the starting point again.”
In an exclusive neighbourhood right by Lake Washington lies the house where Kurt Cobain ended his days. The Nirvana lead singer took his own life on April 5th 1994. Even though the house has not belonged to the Cobain family since 2003, fans still travel here to have their picture taken in front of the house. Due to the big hype around the house, the new owners have built a big gate and planted tall trees to hide the house from outsiders. On Kurt Cobain’s birthday and anniversary for his death the numbers in visitors peaks.
Easy Street Records is an independent record store in eastern Seattle. The store had it’s hay days during the grunge wave and is still - together with the local djs - a big part of promoting the local bands.
In memory of Kurt Cobain fans leave books, cigarettes, cd’s and alcohol in Viretta Park. It is a testimony to the fact that even after 30 years the grunge genre hasn’t been forgotten.
In West Woodland in the north western part of Seattle lies Rock Room Ballard. The place has 132 rehearsal studios, three studios and a big concert venue. The rehearsal studios are occupied every day and are often shared between several bands.
“We are one of the last places where you can still play music in central Seattle. Most other places have been bought up or have closed down. It is extremely important that we keep fighting for a music culture in this city – it is after all our identity” says Dave West, owner of Rock Room Ballard.
Nate Oostmeyer was drawn to Seattle because of the city’s historic music scene. He works at Emerald City Guitar, a well renowned business, that has 25 years of experience selling custom made guitars to some of the world’s biggest musicians.
The rapid economic growth in Seattle is a threatening the culture and music life in the city. Amazon alone has more than 45.000 employees world wide and their headquarters are in Seattle. This has meant a drastic rise in house prices over the last 10 years which has forced many creatives to leave the city. The centrally located venues are in danger of being bought up by big investors. The authorities are under scrutiny for not doing enough for the cultural life and the music scene which has been the city’s trademark for centuries.
Grunge music emerged primarily as a rebellion to the polished pop of the 1980s and the classic glossy image which at the time dominated the influential and powerful MTV. The genre is best described as a mix between punk and heavy metal and in many ways was inspired by the noise rock of the 1970s. The musicians rocked a laid-back style with long greasy hair, flannel shirts and worn-out military boots. Throughout the 90s grunge became a lifestyle and fashion phenomenon that swept throughout the globe – a tendency that without a doubt, is in line with contemporary fashion trends. 90s fashion is once again popular amongst the young – there even is a concept called “grunge fashion influencers”.
Published by Danmarks Radio