Nirvana Live Concerts - Practise Sessions

Early 1986 – Cobain residence, Aberdeen , WA, USA
Length
    06:28 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    8.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1
Generation
    ANA(x) > MP3 [var. 210-240 kbps]
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
  • Kurt Cobain is thought to have recorded these guitar riffs as a reference for the Fecal Matter Demo tape.
  • "unknown #1 (part of)" cuts in and out, "unknown #2 (part of)" cuts out.
  • The sound is mono (left channel only).
Setlist
    unknown #1 (part of) • unknown #2 (part of) • Spank Thru (part of) • unknown #2 (part of) [alt. take] • unknown #3 (part of) • unknown #4 (part of) • unknown #5 (part of) • Sound Of Dentage (part of) • unknown #6 (part of) • Made Not Born (part of) • unknown #7 (part of) • Class Of '86 (part of) • unknown #8 (part of)

Early 1986 – Cobain residence, Aberdeen , WA, USA
Length
    01:52 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    9.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD CLIP #1b
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
  • Kurt Cobain is thought to have recorded these guitar riffs as a reference for the Fecal Matter Demo tape.
  • "unknown #1 (part of)" cuts in and out, "unknown #2 (part of)" cuts out.
  • The sound is mono (left channel only).
Setlist
    unknown #1 (part of) • unknown #2 (part of) • Spank Thru (part of) • unknown #2 (part of) [alt. take] • unknown #3 (part of) • unknown #4 (part of)


[Fecal Matter] Easter, 1986 – Music room, Earl residence, Burien, WA, USA
Length
    49:16 Min – Incomplete
Quality
    9.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > TEAC A-2340 (4-track) ... SBD #1
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
  • FECAL MATTER (Kurt Cobain [vocals, guitar], Dale Crover [drums, bass]).
Setlist
    Sound Of Dentage • unknown sound collage • Bambi Slaughter • Made Not Born • unknown #1 • unknown #2 • unknown #3 • unknown #4 • unknown #5 • Spank Thru • unknown #6 • Class Of '86 • unknown #7 • Downer

[Fecal Matter] Easter, 1986 – Music room, Earl residence, Burien, WA, USA
Length
    01:40 Min – Incomplete
Quality
    9.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > TEAC A-2340 (4-track) ... SBD #2
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
  • Alternative mix. This mix is without bass or vocals.
  • FECAL MATTER (Kurt Cobain [vocals, guitar], Dale Crover [drums, bass]).
Setlist
    unknown #3


1987 – Cobain residence, Aberdeen , WA, USA
Length
    02:26 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    ANA(x) > CDR(x) > FLAC
Notes
  • unknown extraction [October 2006].
  • At present, songs from this demo are only partially available through the sound-collage, Montage of Heck.
  • The unknown song, which appears only momentarily after "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" on Montage of Heck, is understood to be the same composition as "unknown #3" from Skid Row's Summer '87 rehearsal.
Setlist
    Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves [Cher cover] • unknown


[Skid Row] Summer, 1987 – 1000 1/2 East 2nd Street (Cobain residence), Aberdeen , WA, USA
Length
    46:26 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    ANA(x) > CDR(x) > FLAC
Notes
  • unknown extraction [August 2015], speed-corrected by DW [December 2020]
  • Has tape errors in "Floyd The Barber" and "unknown #3".
  • "unknown #2" appears on the official CD [With The Lights Out] under the title "Mrs. Butterworth".
  • SKID ROW (Kurt Cobain [vocals, guitar], Krist Novoselic [vocals, bass], Aaron Burckhard [drums]).
Setlist
    Love Buzz [Shocking Blue cover] • Downer • Mexican Seafood • Pan Cap Chew • Spank Thru • Floyd The Barber • White Lace And Strange [Thunder & Roses cover] • Hairspray Queen • Annorexorcist • unknown #1 (cuts out) • If You Must • unknown #2 • unknown #3 • Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves [Cher cover]


1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    08:25 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    9.5 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1a
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in June 2016.
Setlist
    Seed • Clean Up Before She Comes • About A Girl

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    10:46 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    8.5 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1b
Generation
    Unofficial CD [Dressed For Success] > FLAC
Notes
  • JD extraction [December 2006].
  • "unknown #4" appears under the title "Bambi Slaughter", "unknown #5 [instrumental]" appears under the title "Black And White Blues".
  • "Beans" cuts out. "Clean Up Before She Comes" is slightly more complete here than on SBD#1a, but is considered to be of inferior sound quality.
Setlist
    unknown #4 • Clean Up Before She Comes • Beans (cuts out) • unknown #5 (instrumental) • About A Girl

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    09:12 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    9.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1c
Generation
    ANA(2) > CDR(1) > FLAC
Notes
  • MZ extraction [August 2007].
  • This source is sometimes referred to as the "Touch & Go demo" or "Kurdt's Kassette".
  • It omits the intro to "Beans" found on other sources.
  • "Beans" is without the intro found on other sources.
  • "unknown #3" appears as a sample in an audio collage titled "Montage Of Heck [short version]".
Setlist
    Beans • unknown #6 [long version] • unknown #3

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    08:06 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    8.5 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1d
Generation
    ANA(x) > DAT(1) > SHN
Notes
  • MZ transfer [August 2007].
  • This source is more complete than SBD#1f, but is considered to be of inferior sound quality.
  • "Polly" fades out.
Setlist
    Polly (fades out) • Seed • Sappy

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    00:38 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    9.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1e
Generation
    ANA(2) > DAT(1) > FLAC
Notes
  • MZ transfer [August 2007].
  • This source is sometimes referred to as the "Master reel compilation tape".
Setlist
    unknown #6 [short version]

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    07:21 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    8.5 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1f
Generation
    Unofficial CD [The Demos] > FLAC
Notes
  • RD extraction [July 2008].
  • This is the best available source for "Sappy".
  • "Polly" fades out.
Setlist
    Polly • Seed • Sappy

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    02:28 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    8.5 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1g
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in June 2016.
  • This is the best available source for "Polly".
  • "Polly" fades out.
Setlist
    Polly

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    04:27 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    9.5 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #2
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in June 2016.
  • Alternative mixes.
Setlist
    Beans [alt. mix] • Polly [alt. mix]

1987–1988 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    10:46 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    9.5 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #3
Generation
    Official CD [Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck: The Home Recordings]
Notes
  • Alternative mixes.
  • "unknown #5 [instrumental]" appears under the title "The Happy Guitar". "unknown #2" appears as a sample in an audio collage titled "Montage of Kurt". "unknown #3" appears under the title "She Only Lies".
Setlist
    unknown #5 (instrumental) • unknown #2 • Beans • Clean Up Before She Comes [alt. take] • Sappy • unknown #3 [alt. take]


[Ted Ed Fred] January 03, 1988 – 609 West 2nd Street (Crover residence) Aberdeen, WA, USA
Length
    42:00 Min - Complete
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    ANA(M) > DAT(1) > FLAC
Notes
  • MZ transfer [December 2020]
  • "Love Buzz" is mono.
  • TED ED FRED (Kurt Cobain [vocals, guitar], Krist Novoselic [vocals, bass], Dale Crover [drums]).
Setlist
    (cuts in) Love Buzz [Shocking Blue cover] • (cuts in) If You Must • Downer • Pen Cap Chew • Mexican Seafood • Spank Thru • Paper Cuts • Erectum • Aero Zeppelin • Hairspray Queen • Floyd The Barber • Annorexorcist • Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves [Cher cover]


[Ted Ed Fred] January 24, 1988 – RadioShack, Aberdeen, WA, USA
Length
    17:21 Min - Complete
Quality
    9.0 (audience audio from amateur video)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AMT #1
Generation
    VHS(1) > FLAC
Notes
  • MZ transfer [July 2017].
  • "Ted Ed Fred" shot this music video at an electrical store in Aberdeen.
  • The band mimed to demos recorded with Jack Endino the previous day at Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, WA.
  • Dale plays the drumkit live.
  • Footage is shot from the front of the store using a tripod.
  • TED ED FRED (Kurt Cobain [mimed vocals, mimed guitar], Krist Novoselic [mimed bass], Dale Crover [drums]).
Setlist
    If You Must (part of) • If You Must • If You Must • Paper Cuts • Paper Cuts


December, 1988 - Novoselic residence, Aberdeen, WA, USA
Length
    26:53 Min – Complete?
Quality
    7.0 (audience audio from amateur video)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AMT #1
Generation
    Official DVD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2007].
  • Filmed for the most part by Krist Novoselic's brother, Robert.
  • This is doubtless one of many rehearsals video-taped by the band, but is the only one to have surfaced thus far.
Setlist
    Love Buzz [Shocking Blue cover] • Scoff • About A Girl • Big Long Now • Immigrant Song [Led Zeppelin cover] • guitar tuning and short drum solo • Spank Thru • Hairspray Queen • School • Mr. Moustache


[Go-Team] April 21, 1989 - Garage, Vail residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    05:46 Min – Incomplete
Quality
    10.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1
Generation
    Official 7" [The Go Team - 1989 Monthly Series of Releases, July] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2015].
  • GO TEAM (Calvin Johnson [vocals, guitar], Tobi Vail [drums], Donna Biddle [guitar], Kurt Cobain [guitar], Tam Ohrmund [vocals] & Louise Olsen [bass]).
Setlist
    Bikini Twilight [instrumental] • Scratch It Out


Summer, 1990 – Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    04:40 Min – Incomplete
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1a
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • Despite being compiled on the same cassette, these acoustic demos are not thought to have been recorded at the same sitting.
Setlist
    Sliver • Where Did You Sleep Last Night [Leadbelly cover]

Summer, 1990 – Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    03:22 Min – Incomplete
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1b
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
Setlist
    Verse Chorus Verse


Winter, 1990 – Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA
Length
    02:32 Min – Incomplete
Quality
    9.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
Setlist
    Pennyroyal Tea


Spring, 1991 – Converted barn, Tacoma, WA, USA
Length
    03:56 Min – Complete?
Quality
    7.0 (audience audio from amateur video)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AMT #1
Generation
    Official DVD [Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!] > AC3 [192 kbps] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
Setlist
    On A Plain


March, 1991 – Converted barn, Tacoma, WA, USA
Length
    09:50 Min - Incomplete
Quality
    7.2 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1a
Generation
    Official CD [Sliver: Best Of The Box] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • This source is less complete than AUD #1b, but is considered to be of superior sound quality.
Setlist
    Smells Like Teen Spirit • Come As You Are

March, 1991 – Converted barn, Tacoma, WA, USA
Length
    31:00 Min - Complete
Quality
    7.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1a
Generation
    Official CD [Nevermind, Deluxe Edition, catalog#: 2777903] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • This source is less complete than AUD #1b, but is considered to be of superior sound quality.
Setlist
    Smells Like Teen Spirit • Verse Chorus Verse • Territorial Pissings • Lounge Act • Come As You Are • Old Age • Something In The Way • On A Plain


[The Retards] April, 1991 - Melvins practice space & Crover residence, San Francisco, CA, USA
Length
    02:57 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    Unofficial CD [Dressed For Success] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • Includes "The Retards intro".
  • THE RETARDS (Kurt Cobain [vocals, guitar], Dave Grohl [bass], Dale Crover [drums]).
Setlist
    Drain You


May, 1991 – Oakwood apartment, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Length
    03:23 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    7.5 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • "Rape Me" is known to have been written on an acoustic guitar at the Oakwood apartment, just as the band were starting to mix "Nevermind". It is not clear whether the song was recorded at this location, though the similarities between this demo and the live rendition performed at The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, 06/18/91, lend considerable credence to this theory.
Setlist
    Rape Me


1991–1992 – Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA/Los Angeles, CA, USA
Length
    03:33 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    7.5 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • Although this demo is one of the few items left undated on the box-set, collectors estimate recording to have been between 1991 and 1992. The song's structure and lyrical content corresponding closely to that performed at the Reading Festival, August 30th, 1992.
Setlist
    All Apologies


Spring, 1991–Fall, 1992 - Cobain residence, Olympia, WA, USA/Los Angeles, CA, USA
Length
    06:22 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    ANA(x) > DAT(1) > FLAC
Notes
  • MZ transfer [September 2008].
  • The demo opens with what appears to be an unknown song or song fragment, which lasts for approximately 50-seconds. Abandoning that, Cobain launches into "Old Age", complete with intro (this same intro features on Hole's Triclops Sound Studios, October 1993 version of "Old Age" and subsequent live renditions).
Setlist
    unknown • Old Age • Low Rider (part of) [War cover]


Fall/Winter 1992 – Cobain residence, Los Angeles, CA, USA/Carnation, WA, USA
Length
    03:28 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • The lyrical content of the "Serve The Servants" demo seems more light-hearted and less autobiographical than that recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio, February 12–26, 1993. Both the lyrics and arrangement of the "Very Ape" demo appear to significantly pre-date that recorded at BMG Ariola Ltda., January 19–21, 1993.
  • Cobain inelegantly cuts in mid-song with a vocal guide of the chorus melody.
  • "Serve The Servants" cuts in.
  • "Very Ape" has a vocal guide of the chorus melody crudely taped over the end.
Setlist
    (cuts in) Serve The Servants • Very Ape


[Cobain and Love] Winter, 1992 – Unidentified hotel, Seattle, WA, USA
Length
    01:41 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio from amateur video)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AMT #1
Generation
    Official Blu-Ray disc [Hit So Hard: The Life & Near Death Story of Patty Schemel] > FLAC
Notes
  • unknown extraction [October 2013].
  • Footage of the couple performing the song finally surfaced in 2011, with the release of rock documentary Hit So Hard: The Life And Near Death Story Of Patty Schemel.
  • In the featured video clip, Love can be seen strumming an acoustic guitar and singing the song, while Cobain joins in from behind the camera with a rough vocal harmony.
Setlist
    Stinking Of You


Winter, 1992 – Posies practice space, Seattle, WA, USA
Length
    09:32 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
Setlist
    Scentless Apprentice


Fall, 1992–Early, 1993 – Cobain residence, Seattle, WA, USA
Length
    03:30 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
Setlist
    Pennyroyal Tea


Summer, 1993 – Jukebox City, Seattle, WA, USA
Length
    08:47 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
  • Mixed by an unidentified engineer, unknown date.
Setlist
    E. Coli


Mid, 1993–Early, 1994 – Cobain residence, Seattle, WA, USA
Length
    02:30 Min – Incomplete?
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • PL extraction [September 2012].
  • Although the box-set's booklet credits the demo as having been recorded in 1994, many collectors dispute this label, suggesting that the demo's lyrics bare a greater similarity to those performed at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, October 23 1993, than to those recorded at Robert Lang Studios, January 1994.
Setlist
    You Know You're Right


Early, 1994 – Bedroom, Cobain residence, Seattle, WA, USA
Length
    04:26 Min – Complete
Quality
    8.0 (audience audio)
Source
    unknown > unknown ... AUD #1
Generation
    TBC > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
Setlist
    Do Re Mi


February 5, 1994 – Pavilhγo do Grupo Dramαtico e Sportivo de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal
Length
    03:57 Min – Incomplete
Quality
    10.0 (soundboard audio)
Source
    soundboard > unknown ... SBD #1
Generation
    Official CD [With The Lights Out] > FLAC
Notes
  • Posted anonymously in August 2015.
Setlist
    Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam [The Vaselines cover]


Sections
1987-1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • related
Practice Sessions • Radio Sessions • Studio Sessions

(Un-)Official CDs • Analog & DAT • Vinyl

Digital Videos • VHS, miniDV & Digital8 • (Other Bands) Masters

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