Krist Novoselic sobre la explosión Grunge de los 90s

What role did “Nevermind” play in shaping the Seattle scene?

Seattle music got a lot of attention, like in the late ’80s, with bands like Mudhoney. There was a period when there were stories in the English press about the “Seattle sound” and they were hyping it up. Either Nirvana was never mentioned or there was a brief mention. And we were like, “Wow.”

Rock music wasn’t really happening. There were these beachheads — Faith No More, Jane’s Addiction — these alternative rock bands that weren’t the Sunset Strip look and sound. They had songs on the radio and videos on MTV. They broke the ground, but “Nevermind” was in the right place at the right time, and the right record. It blew the whole lid off of what was called “alternative music,” which is a label I never liked. Even “grunge” was way better [of a label] than “alternative” music. There was no alternative; it was the new wave of rock. That was a new interpretation and style of rock music.

Does it seem like 20 years ago?

I think so. Twenty years is a long time and a lot has gone on. But Nirvana for me personally has been prominent the whole way. It’s been so enduring. First you’re 16, then you’re 18, then you’re 21 and then you’re 40, then 63, or whatever retirement age is. So there are these milestones. But regardless, the music lives on. People are listening to the music, talking about it and thinking about it. It’s really neat. I never thought it would be so enduring.