Who here would classify Nirvana as an indie band?
As the creative force behind Nirvana, one need only look at Cobain’s early musical education to help classify the Nirvana sound. In short, Cobain the songwriter–although a fan of Pop (Beatles, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Pixies, etc.)–was musically educated in Olympia, WA. The Olympia scene that schooled Cobain was deeply immersed in experimentation and the hardcore scene aesthetic that views the Punk movement as a statement while viewing the Hardcore movement as a lifestyle. Therein lies the roots of the Nirvana sound: Cobain’s love of Beatlesque pop melodies, driven by classic rock riffs with a decidedly feminine, yet also punk, edge to them. Independent? Well, of course! Olympia is home to the progressive Evergreen State College and Calvin Johnson’s underground label, K Records. Cobain spent the Bleach years as well as the year leading up to Nevermind’s release, living in Olympia where his social circle and art influences were fiercely independent! Bands like Scratch Acid, Cat Butt, Melvin
