Nirvana was an influential grunge band known for its raw sound and anti-establishment ideology. The band incorporated elements of punk rock and heavy metal into its music through distorted guitars, screaming vocals, and simple song structures. Nirvana helped popularize grunge music in the early 1990s with the release of its breakthrough album Nevermind. Featuring the hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nevermind topped music charts worldwide and has sold over 30 million copies, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.

1. Nirvana
Kurt CobainDave Grohl Krist Novoselic

2. Genre Metal/Punk/Pop = Grunge
• Singing style (elements of shouting and screaming)
• Instruments and effects used
• Simple musical structures (verse chorus verse,
mostly containing a bridge)
• Some elements but not as purist as punk on Anti-
establishment ideology
• Smashing instruments
• Sloppy musicianship
• Use of bar chords
Punk musical Characteristics present within Nirvana

3. Genre Metal/Punk/Pop = Grunge
• Singing style (elements of shouting and
screaming)
•Instruments and effects used
(distortion/overdrive)
However
• Very anti metal ideology
Metal musical Characteristics present within Nirvana

4. Genre Metal/Punk/Pop = Grunge
• Grunge was born in the 1990‟s
• Sludgy guitar sound that uses a high level of
distortion, fuzz and feedback effects.
• Lyrics are typically angst-filled, often
addressing themes such as social alienation,
apathy, confinement, and a desire for
freedom
• Many grunge musicians displayed a general
disenchantment with the state of society, as
well as a discomfort with social prejudices
• Live shows are energy filled and crowds are
very active/moshing/crowd surfing, stage
diving)
Grunge ideology and characteristics present in Nirvana

5. V.S
Indie Label Major Label
Global Strategy

6. Genre Grunge/Punk
• Clothing commonly worn by grunge musicians
and fans consisted of clothes that was purchased
from or looked like they were from charity shops
• Most common was checked/flannel shirts
• A look that appeared un-kept (ripped jeans,
baggy T-shirts, longish hair)
• Grunge fashion was very anti “Flash/show off”
• Appearance isnt everything philosophy
Grunge Fashion

7. • Nevermind was released on September 24, 1991.
American record stores received an initial shipment of
46,251 copies,while 35,000 copies were shipped in the
United Kingdom, where Bleach had been successful.
• The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 144.

8. • Nevermind was already selling well but, over the next
few months, the momentum increased significantly as
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" unexpectedly became more
and more popular. The song's video had received a
world premiere on MTV's late night alternative show 120
Minutes but it soon proved so popular that the channel
began playing it during the day.

9. • As the band set out for their European tour at the start of
November 1991, Nevermind entered the Billboard Top
40 for the first time at number 35. By this point, "Smells
Like Teen Spirit" had become a genuine hit and the
album was selling so fast none of Geffen's marketing
strategies aimed at different sales levels could be
enacted.

10. • Nevermind became Nirvana's first number one album
on January 11, 1992, replacing Michael Jackson at the
top of the Billboard charts.
• Nevermind was certified Gold and Platinum by the
Recording Industry Association of America in November
1991, and was certified Diamond in March 1999.

11. As of 2007, the certification criteria for these recordings are
as follows:
 Silver: 100,000 copies
 Gold: 500,000 copies
 Platinum: 1,000,000 copies
 Multi-Platinum: 2,000,000 copies
 Diamond: 10,000,000 copies

12. • CD‟s are the main culprit in the death of vinyl. Introduced in
1984, the new technology swept the industry faster than
predicted. According to a 1988 Billboard story, most record
companies didn't expect the CD to overtake vinyl until the
mid-1990s. But the superiority of CD in sound reproduction,
its longevity and ease of use could not be denied and
consumers enthusiastically embraced the new sensation.
Record companies had a hard time keeping up.

13.  Geffen's press promotion for Nevermind was lower than
that typical of a major record label. The label's publicist
primarily targeted music publications with long lead times
for publication as well as magazines in the Seattle area.
The unexpectedly positive feedback from critics who had
received the album convinced the label to consider
increasing the album's original print run.

14.  At first, Nevermind did not receive many reviews, and
many publications ignored the album. Months after its
release and after "Smells Like Teen Spirit" garnered
airplay, print media organisations were "scrambling" to
cover the phenomenon the album had become.
However, by that point much of the attention fell on
Cobain rather than the album itself.

15. 1989 1991 19931992
1994 1996 2004
2004
2005
 New Versions
of songs
 Re-mixes
 Previously
unreleased
songs
 Live versions
Continuing The
Appeal? The
Legacy

16. What was used to
promote Nevermind?
• Interviews?
• Tours?
• Live Television Appearances?
• Posters?
• Music Videos?
• Awards?
• ‘Word of Mouth’?
• Reviews?

17. Industry
AudienceReleases
CRASH/Uses & Grats
Label/Internet/CD or Vinyl?
Artists/Genre/Style/
AO1 –
Demonstrate
knowledge &
understanding of
media concepts,
contexts and
critical debates
= 20
marks
3 X
Key points
for each Text

18. Meanings?
Responses?
Audience
Social/Cultural/Political
= 10
marks
AO2 –
Apply knowledge &
understanding of
how meanings and
responses are
created
Audience

19. Exam Guidance & Questions
POINT: Make points that directly answer the
question (regarding key music industry issues).
EXAMPLE: Refer in detail to examples of:
releases/chart positions/videos/marketing
strategies/ways the audience access releases etc,
that support your points(be specific & detailed).
EXPLAIN: Discuss/debate the key issues raised
and reflect upon the implications for the music
industry & the audience (give your own views
also).

20. B3. How successful have your chosen texts been for
their industry? (30)
Responses may be dependent on how the candidate defines
success. Please be open-minded here and engage with
candidates' definitions – success does not necessarily imply
commercial success. Some candidates may suggest that
(some of) their chosen texts were not successful - this is
acceptable but please look for coherence in the argument.
Points covered may make reference to such general points
as:
• commercial/financial success
• awards
• critical reviews
• audience appreciation – e.g. niche, fans etc
Continued over:

21. Responses to this question are likely to be heavily dependent on
the texts selected – and need to be linked closely to them. The
following are some generic points candidates might make for each
of the industries.
The lists are not intended to be prescriptive.
MUSIC:
• sales
• downloads
• concert sales
• awards
• critical reviews
• influence

22. Total
= 30 marks
„A‟ Grade
Exam
Response
C
O
N
T
E
N
T