Kurt Cobain Journals

Nope 

He does the Meat Puppets better than the Meat Puppets do. The Vaselines too. He was definitely a good pop songwriter (if not guitarist ), it's just a shame he was held up as a shining example of rebellion .

I've never liked any of Cobain's music, and just don't get why he is supposed to be such a heroic, important figure.

Oh wait -- he killed himself and died young. That's "cool," right?

Anger, despair and self-loathing are such admirable traits....

I like it, Nirvana used to be my favourite band when i was 12

down-go wrote: Have you seen Courtney, love?

OHWHATAGIVEAWAY! Flirty!

Have you seen my etchings, darling?

(Courtney who, BTW?)

Edited by Peter

I never saw any appeal in Nirvana until their MTV unplugged performance - this is the only album of theirs I (eventually) bought, and it is one I still play regularly; their version of Leadbelly's 'Where did you stay last night?' showed Cobain's voice to be emminently suited to acoustic blues, I kid you not.

As far as Cobain goes, he was a fairly gifted songwriter (if sub-Morrissey angst is your bag), an OK rhythm guitarist, but he looked the part to be an icon/figurehead for 'grunge'; he claimed never to want the adulation or the superstardom this brought, but there is no record of his refusing the resulting financial rewards.

Constantly struggling against addiction of one form or another (not helped by his marriage to somebody who used both Heroin and Cobain ruthlessly), and surrounded by industry hounds who on one hand were sycophantic 'yes' men, but on the other were ruthlessly persuing Cobain for more "product", he also suffered from crippling depression, and the resultant self loathing led eventually to his suicide.

A tragic tale of a life and potential talent wasted, true, but no reason for posthumous elevation to near Godhood; indeed, if you listen to Dave Grohl's 'Foo Fighters', you can perhaps see a hint of where the true songwriting genius really lay within Nirvana.

Edited by Jim Garten

Hello all. I've been lurking on this website for a long time, but finally decided to log on and post when I read the following comment.

 

Peter wrote:   Suicide is a supremely violent, hateful, cowardly act, which deeply and permanently hurts those who love the victim. A brave, intelligent adult knows when to seek help. Men stay to face and fight their problems, deal with reality, and try to improve their lot -- boys just run away. Cobain was obviously deeply troubled and sick, and lacked the strength of character to fight his demons -- why is he then a hero?

 

Dear Peter.

 

I am not a Nirvana, or Kurt Cobain fan. Far from it. But I do know a thing or 2 about clinical depression. It is absolutely crippling, at it's worst. It literally takes away your desire to even function in life and perform daily activities. How do I know this?, because I've been there, and so has a lot of other people. Attitudes like yours make me absolutely sick to my stomach. Unless you've been there yourself, you can not know the depths of hopelessness it causes, you cease to think in a rational manner, like a mentally healthy human being would. You start to think that maybe your loved ones would be better off if you were no longer around, because they wouldn't have to be burdened with constantly worrying about you anymore. This is a topic I take very personally. To say what you just said is to spit in my face. PLease be more considerate other peoples feelings.

 

Cobain may not have been a hero. But he was no coward either, he was simply somebody who had reached a point where he felt he had no hope, and he's not the only one. Unless one knows how that feels, one really has no right to judge, IMO.

Laurent wrote: Hello all. I've been lurking on this website for a long time, but finally decided to log on and post when I read the following comment.   Peter wrote:   Suicide is a supremely violent, hateful, cowardly act, which deeply and permanently hurts those who love the victim. A brave, intelligent adult knows when to seek help. Men stay to face and fight their problems, deal with reality, and try to improve their lot -- boys just run away. Cobain was obviously deeply troubled and sick, and lacked the strength of character to fight his demons -- why is he then a hero?   Dear Peter.   I am not a Nirvana, or Kurt Cobain fan. Far from it. But I do know a thing or 2 about clinical depression. It is absolutely crippling, at it's worst. It literally takes away your desire to even function in life and perform daily activities. How do I know this?, because I've been there, and so has a lot of other people. Attitudes like yours make me absolutely sick to my stomach. Unless you've been there yourself, you can not know the depths of hopelessness it causes, you cease to think in a rational manner, like a mentally healthy human being would. You start to think that maybe your loved ones would be better off if you were no longer around, because they wouldn't have to be burdened with constantly worrying about you anymore. This is a topic I take very personally. To say what you just said is to spit in my face. PLease be more considerate other peoples feelings.   Cobain may not have been a hero. But he was no coward either, he was simply somebody who had reached a point where he felt he had no hope, and he's not the only one. Unless one knows how that feels, one really has no right to judge, IMO.

Sorry, Laurent -- I apologise for my callous, hurtful words.

To be honest, I too wrestled with (near) clinical depression for a year os so in my 20s, and I know and love someone else who has suffered from it, so I should have been more diplomatic/sensitive in my post. (I guess I was talking mainly to myself....)

Mea culpa.

My real point (very clumsily made) was that violent death and suicide is not cool -- despite the music biz/rock culture seeming to portray it that way, at times -- and that I simply don't find Cobain worthy of adulation.

But I do pity his pain, and the pain of all who, through no fault of their own, suffer from depression.

I wish you health and happiness,

Sincerely,

Peter

Edited by Peter

tuxon wrote: Laurent wrote: Hello all. I've been lurking on this website for a long time, but finally decided to log on and post when I read the following comment.   Peter wrote:   Suicide is a supremely violent, hateful, cowardly act, which deeply and permanently hurts those who love the victim. A brave, intelligent adult knows when to seek help. Men stay to face and fight their problems, deal with reality, and try to improve their lot -- boys just run away. Cobain was obviously deeply troubled and sick, and lacked the strength of character to fight his demons -- why is he then a hero?   Dear Peter.   I am not a Nirvana, or Kurt Cobain fan. Far from it. But I do know a thing or 2 about clinical depression. It is absolutely crippling, at it's worst. It literally takes away your desire to even function in life and perform daily activities. How do I know this?, because I've been there, and so has a lot of other people. Attitudes like yours make me absolutely sick to my stomach. Unless you've been there yourself, you can not know the depths of hopelessness it causes, you cease to think in a rational manner, like a mentally healthy human being would. You start to think that maybe your loved ones would be better off if you were no longer around, because they wouldn't have to be burdened with constantly worrying about you anymore. This is a topic I take very personally. To say what you just said is to spit in my face. PLease be more considerate other peoples feelings.   Cobain may not have been a hero. But he was no coward either, he was simply somebody who had reached a point where he felt he had no hope, and he's not the only one. Unless one knows how that feels, one really has no right to judge, IMO. Welcome Laurent. i understand were you come from (well sort off) my brother had/has the same problem. It was really frightening to see him deteriorate, and pull back from society, alienating his best friends, and in the end even me and our parents. It's going better with him the last year, due to extensive and exhausting help, in addition with some medication. But the patient has to accept his illness before a treatment can work I think. I'm just glad he has put the worst episode behind him and is working on further recovery. Hope you are all alright again. And again welcome to this miniature world of progressive rock afficionados.

 

Thank you for welcoming me with your kind words Tuxon

Jim Garten wrote: I'd just add my words of welcome to you, Laurent; speaking as one has struggled with that vile disease for over 5 years (currently in my 3rd SSRI free month), I understand how difficult it must be when you see a posting which could (maybe) be percieved as belittling the condition. Enjoy your time in the Forum, Laurent, and welcome

Hi Jim, thanks for the welcome