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On Kurt Cobain's 45th Birthday, Let's Look At Where In Utero Was Recorded

Today would have been Kurt Cobain's 45th birthday, had he not joined the 27 Club back in 1994. As if you need reminding, the Nirvana singer died of a self-inflicted gun shot wound at his home in Seattle. And for conspiracists not willing to let it go, a reality check/reminder: Courtney Love did not kill him, even if a documentary tries to prove she did.

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In Utero at Pachyderm (by Jen Carlson)
When previously looking back at Cobain's life and death, we've looked at how people have celebrated him; we've checked in with MTV man John Norris to discuss where he was when he heard the musician had died; we revisited that iconic photo of Cobain's lifeless body; we checked out the original video for "In Bloom" (filmed in downtown Manhattan!); we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Nevermind; and so on. We've even talked to producer Steve Albini:

One of the most well-known casualties of the music industry was Nirvana, who are in the ether once again, as it’s the 20-year anniversary of Nevermind. You recorded their follow-up to that album, In Utero. I realize I’m probably the millionth person to ask you about them but I was wondering, now that all this time has passed... I’ll take the over on a million by the way.

Well maybe not as much these days? It’s like any other sort of touchstone band. Every year another big brother goes off to college and leaves his records to his little brother and another generation of fans find out about every band that sort of survives the slush pile. Nirvana is a classic example of a band that’s gonna continually find a new audience for itself until that kind of music no longer resonates with people, and that might be a very long time.

So, this time around, let's take a look at where In Utero was recorded. It wasn't recorded at Albini's Electrical Audio studios in Chicago (where our favorite cat Pip lives)—instead, he flew out to Pachyderm Studios in Minnesota. We happened to be invited along to spend some time there back in 2008, and the owner showed us around the grounds. Fun fact: he told us that when Nirvana booked studio time there they did so under the name the Simon Ritchie Bluegrass Ensemble—so you can imagine the surprise when the intern was sent to pick the band up at the airport. Click through for a look at the Cannon Falls, Minnesota studio, which has a very Last Days feel to it. And here's some video from the session:

And now, arguably one of the best songs from the album:

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Comments [rss]

  • MARSupial_possum

    All we get now is Foo with their finely pressed t-shirts and custom haircuts.

  • birdtird

    Dude, the drummer for the foo's is from Alanis Morrisette's band, can you fuckin think of anything more punk rock yo?

  • birdtird

    I mean, it's kind of ironic, don't ya think? ;)

  • birdtird
  • Courtney was/is an uber-skank.

    Albini is an asshole.

    Kurt was a dude with problems.  Problems he had for years, and could never manage to get under control.

    Here's a picture of Kurt trying to hang himself with Christmas decorations.

    http://29.media.tumblr.com/tum...

     

  • birdtird

    kim deal

  •  Yup.  After Chuck broke up the Pixies she hung around with Nirvana for a while.  Kim's sister claims that Kurt was hot for Kim, other people claim that Kim was trying to become a member of Nirvana.  Anyway here's an interview with Kim and Kurt, one of the strangest interviews he did. http://www.nirvanafreak.net/ar...

  • chuzzlewit

    happy birthday

  • GentleGiant

    Thanks, Jen!

  • Don't care how or why Kurt died, he's gone and nothing is bringing him back.  We have the music that he made while he was here and that will have to suffice.

  • edgie186

    Great post

  • JaneJaneJane

    Fucking love you and love this post. Some gems for a fan on a crap winter day.

  • Ms. Pants

    Is that them in the portrait on the wall in the second to last photo?  (All Apologies if it's explained in the videos.  Vids are blocked for me at work.)

  • chuzzlewit

    looks like it. hard to tell because Something's In The Way (the railing).

  • jennabraunstein

    Haaaaaaaaaa

  • chuzzlewit

    i'm just glad courtney never got her crooked hooks on albini. THAT would've been a fuckin tragedy.

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