Nirvana sounded like The Police (in some songs)

[cosplusisin]

Hi,

This is something I've thought for a long long time, but no one has ever seemed to share my opinion, so I'm wondering what people on here would think...

Back in 1991, when Nirvana's first big hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" came out (I was 9) I thought it sounded just like The Police. That is, the verses sounded like The Police. The melody sounds very Police-ish, the relentless bassline (similar to "Every Breath You Take"), and that guitar sound with all the chorus of flanger or whatever effect it is. Yes, my first impression of Nirvana was "they sound like The Police". Not only that song, but also on the Nevermind album, there's "In Bloom" which has some more guitar that reminisces of Andy Summers, and "Lounge Act", which has (1) a cool bassline (2) guitar sounding like Andy's again and (3) the vocals in the chorus again sound like a Police-ish melody and the way he delivers the words reminds me of how Sting sings. If you don't have these songs but are interested, I can upload for people to check it out. If you do, then listen and let me know if you agree.

oh and not to mention the strong drummers in both bands, though the styles are a bit different.

ok I'm done now.

[Joey Connelly]

Hmmmm... Can't say that I ever thought Nirvana sounded like The Police at all.

Now, The Pixies on the other hand.... *wink*

[cosplusisin]

samples:
smells like teen spirit:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop- ... 99-3822225

in bloom:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop- ... 99-3822225

lounge act:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop- ... 99-3822225

[GinaSuperCat]

Ya Kurt mentioned the Pixies and Breeders as a big influence for Nirvana (dynamics, etc) and although Dave Grohl is no where near the Stewart-nerd of Taylor I'm sure he was influenced (esp. snare)--but who wasn't (giggle). I think he even compared his own endeavors of diy to Klark Kent somewhere...Whether the comparison holds or not, I like it--Stewart is my favorite drummer, Dave Grohl the second, Dave Lovering (and his energy!) from Pixies third...I know, bring out the "drum nerd" stamp and get me right on the forehead

[Joey Connelly]

I assure you I'm VERY familiar with those tunes. ;-) But as I said, outside of the "power trio" format, I've never heard any real similarity between Nirvana and The Police.

Go check out The Pixies' "Surfer Rosa" if you wanna hear some serious inspiration for Nirvana's "Nevermind". (Even Kurt admitted to how Pixie-like Nirvana was.)

[BongoBoy]

I don't hear anything at all similar to The Police.

cheers.

[olivier]

Nirvana was the second band who made me thrill after The Police, back in 1991 ! This band allowed me to expand my musical tastes, a lot of indy bands like The Melvins (Kurt's big influence), Jesus Lizard, Fugazi, Shellac and so many others... my own band Aghostino follows their ways...
But apart from the melodic part of Kurt's singing and the energy of the band, Nirvana didn't sound so much like The Police, who was a blend of different kind of styles, with an unique sound.
Nirvana was just a - good - copy of other punk-hardcore bands of the late 80's.
Just my opinion...

[cosplusisin]

yeah, i don't think they sound a LOT like the Police, but that first impression for me was like... "wow, a new Police song"... i guess it was a nine-year-old's opinion..

I don't listen to the Pixies, but I have heard countless times that Nirvana were -essentially- a Pixies rip-off band (Kurt himself has said it maybe not in those words). I've heard the same thing about Radiohead (one of my absolute favourite bands), incidentally. And yet... I can't quite get into the Pixies. Though some of Frank Black's solo stuff is pretty good.

[ceebab]

I know Grohl has said that all 3 of them, including Kurt were very influenced by the Police.

[Al]

If I'm not wrong,Sting once said that "Smells like teen spirit" was one of his favourites songs.Interesting.

[blueseattle]

Well if anyone on this board is as obsessed with Nirvana as I am (I have a tattoo of Kurt's art on my lower stomach/ waist) then please speak out, but I don't see any similarities with The Police at all. Especially since Kurt sings down usually and Sting goes up. The bass lines perhaps? But Nirvana's bass lines were catchy and simple and usually never stayed sustained, like much of Sting's at time whose are usually more complex and while bouncy too not as simple or alternative like Krist's.

Goood to bring the band up, we should chat about 'em sometime man.

[yobculture]

Nirvana is in my top five bands of all time.
This is Sting's take on the Nirvana/Police comparison:



Q: Do you hear the legacy of The Police in Nirvana?

STING: People have mentioned this. I like Nirvana. I like that modal quality. I think they make very careful music. Nevermind is beautifully produced. I guess that binary system, fast and slow thing is similar. I hear it more in that band Therapy?. I can certainly hear Stewart's influence in the drummer.

Also from the same interview:

Q: Did The Police's success break up your and Andy's respective marriages at the time?

STING: I think success distorted a lot of things. Magnified problems. Created problems that didn't really exist. Success is a very destructive thing. Even though we were in our late twenties and emotionally capable of handling it, we still f***ed up. f***ed up our private lives, f***ed up among ourselves. Fame is very difficult to deal with. You have to learn this strategy to cope with it. But we're harping on about the negative side again. We were a f***ing great band, Stewart was a brilliant drummer, Andy was a brilliant technician and guitarist, I was a f***ing brilliant songwriter and I sang and played bass. At the same time!


Source:

http://www.sting.com/news/interview.php?uid=1525

[Jose]

I confess that first chords and entrance of "Smells like teen spitit" sound like THE POLICE, but "Only" the begining of the song posted here.

[blueseattle]

I was a f***ing brilliant songwriter and I sang and played bass. At the same time! >>>

Wow, that's a pretty broad statement to make. I agree, but what about some modesty?

[yobculture]

Stewart is only "brilliant" while Sting is "f*cking brilliant." Sting always has to outdo Stewart!