Editing Nirvana (band) (section)

=== 1988–1990: Early releases ===
Nirvana released its first single, a cover of [[Shocking Blue]]'s "[[Love Buzz#Nirvana cover version|Love Buzz]]", in November 1988 on the Seattle independent record label [[Sub Pop]].<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 85</ref> They did their first interview with [[John Robb (musician)|John Robb]] in ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'', which made their release its single of the week. The following month, the band began recording its debut album, ''[[Bleach (Nirvana album)|Bleach]]'', with local producer [[Jack Endino]].<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 90–1</ref> ''Bleach'' was influenced by the heavy dirge-rock of the Melvins, the 1980s punk rock of [[Mudhoney]], and the 1970s [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] of [[Black Sabbath]].<ref>Fricke, David. "Krist Novoselic". ''Rolling Stone''. September 13, 2001.</ref> The money for the recording sessions for ''Bleach'', listed as {{USD|606.17|long=No}} on the album sleeve, was supplied by [[Jason Everman]], who was subsequently brought into the band as the second guitarist. Though Everman did not play on the album, he received a credit on ''Bleach'' because, according to Novoselic, they "wanted to make him feel more at home in the band".<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 91–2</ref> Prior to the album's release, Nirvana became the first band to sign an extended contract with Sub Pop.<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 110–11</ref>

''Bleach'' was released in June 1989, and became a favorite of [[college radio]] stations. Nirvana embarked on its first national tour,<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 111</ref><ref name="rolling stone review">Young, Charles; O'Donnell, Kevin. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/nirvana/albumguide "Nirvana: Album guide"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704181922/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/nirvana/albumguide |date=July 4, 2014 }}. ''Rolling Stone''. April 11, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2011.</ref> but canceled the last few dates and returned to Washington state due to increasing differences with Everman. No one told Everman he was fired; Everman later said he had quit.<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 115–20</ref> Although Sub Pop did not promote ''Bleach'' as much as other releases, it was a steady seller,<ref name="Azerrad134">Azerrad, 1994. p. 134</ref> and had initial sales of 40,000 copies.<ref>Price, David J. [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267712/nirvanas-bleach-turns-20-new-live-recording-coming Nirvana's 'Bleach' Turns 20, New Live Recording Coming] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130052803/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267712/nirvanas-bleach-turns-20-new-live-recording-coming |date=November 30, 2020 }}. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. August 4, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2011. According to the source, ''Bleach'' has now sold 1.7 million copies in the United States.</ref> However, Cobain was upset by the label's lack of promotion and distribution.<ref name="Azerrad134" /> In late 1989, Nirvana recorded the ''[[Blew (EP)|Blew]]'' EP with producer [[Steve Fisk]].<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 123</ref> In an interview with Robb, Cobain said the band's music was changing: "The early songs were really angry... But as time goes on the songs are getting poppier and poppier as I get happier and happier. The songs are now about conflicts in relationships, emotional things with other human beings."<ref>Robb, John. "White Heat". ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]''. October 21, 1989</ref>

[[File:Dave Grohl 1989.jpg|thumb|[[Dave Grohl|Grohl]] performing with [[Scream (band)|Scream]] in 1989|alt=]]In April 1990, Nirvana began working on their next album with producer [[Butch Vig]] at [[Smart Studios]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin]].<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 137</ref> Cobain and Novoselic became disenchanted with Channing's drumming, and Channing expressed frustration at not being involved in songwriting. As bootlegs of Nirvana demos with Vig began to circulate in the music industry and draw attention from major labels, Channing left the band.<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 138–39</ref> That July, Nirvana recorded the single "[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]" with Mudhoney drummer [[Dan Peters]].<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 142</ref> Dale Crover filled in on drums on Nirvana's seven-date American West Coast tour with [[Sonic Youth]] that August.<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 141</ref>

In September 1990, [[Buzz Osborne]] of the Melvins introduced the band to drummer [[Dave Grohl]], whose Washington, D.C. band [[Scream (band)|Scream]] had broken up.<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 151</ref> Grohl auditioned for Novoselic and Cobain days after arriving in Seattle; Novoselic later said, "We knew in two minutes that he was the right drummer."<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 154</ref> Grohl told ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'': "I remember being in the same room with them and thinking, 'What? ''That''{{'s}} Nirvana? Are you kidding?' Because on their record cover they looked like psycho lumberjacks... I was like, 'What, that little dude and that big motherfucker? You're kidding me'."<ref>''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', October 2010</ref>