How Much Do You Know About Nirvana?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How Much Do You Know About Nirvana?
Image: DGC

About This Quiz

During the '90s, a little band from Washington took the world by storm. Led by the eccentric and fame-loathing Kurt Cobain, Nirvana's songs remain timeless classics filling up airwaves across the world. With their sound, they defined a genre and flew through the charts. You might think you are an ultimate superfan, but how much do you really know about them? 

As we rock through this quiz, we will put your knowledge of Nirvana to the test. We will ask about the band's formation, their songs, and the individual accomplishments of each band member. Break out your deepest '90s trivia well for this one, and we'll let you know how you did at the end. 

From grungy guitar riffs to lyrics that could rip out your heart, Nirvana left a mark on music like few other bands. Their loud-quiet-loud approach to music comes from their individual influences and band they considered their peers at the time. Your knowledge of them will be put to the test, but you'll leave this quiz ready to put on your headphones and sing along. 

How much do you really know about Nirvana? Once you've finished answering the questions we present, you'll know for sure! 

Which Nirvana member went on to form The Foo Fighters?
Kurt Cobain
Pat Smear
Dave Grohl
Krist Novoselic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After Kurt Cobain's death in 1994, Dave Grohl formed The Foo Fighters. As of 2015, they have sold over 12 million albums in the United States.

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What is Kurt Cobain's daughter's name?
Francis Bean
Florence Green
Courtney Love
Love Bean
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Courtney Love was pregnant with Francis, Kurt Cobain thought the ultrasound photos resembled a bean. Francis Bean Cobain gets her name from the actress Francis Farmer and her father's nickname.

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Which song did MTV refuse to let Nirvana play live?
"Rape Me"
"Sliver"
"Come As You Are"
"Lithium"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the 1992 VMA's, MTV refused to let Nirvana play the song "Rape Me." Fearing controversy, the network asked the band to choose another song.

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What was the original title of "Heart-Shaped Box?"
"Heart-Shaped Smile"
"Heart-Shaped Love"
"Heart-Shaped Singles"
"Heart-Shaped Coffin"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After receiving a heart-shaped box from Courtney Love, Kurt Cobain changed one word in the song. By replacing the the word buried with the word locked, he changed the song's title from "Heart Shaped Coffin" to "Heart Shaped Box."

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When Kurt Cobain dropped out of high school, what job did he take?
Waiter
Exterminator
Mechanic
Janitor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Kurt Cobain found out that he did not have enough credits to graduate from Weatherwax High School, he dropped out. Shortly after, he took at job as a janitor at the very same school.

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Which band did Kurt Cobain often cite as an influence?
Iron Maiden
The Pixies
Metallica
The Who
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kurt Cobain often said that he was heavily influenced by The Pixies. In fact, he has been quoted as saying that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was a rip off of a song from The Pixies' album titled Come On Pilgrim.

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When Kurt Cobain saw himself on television for the first time, who did he call?
His wife
His mom
His girlfriend
His bandmates
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After seeing himself on MTV's 120 Minutes, Kurt Cobain called his mother. At the time, he was staying at The Roger Smith Hotel in New York City.

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Which band did Nirvana turn down the chance to accompany on a stadium tour?
Guns 'n Roses
AC/DC
The Foo Fighters
The Pixies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In addition to turning down U2 and Metallica, Nirvana also refused to tour with Guns 'n Roses. The refusal led to a spat between Cobain and Axl Rose that ended with Cobain spitting on a piano he thought Axl Rose was going to play. Unfortunately, it was a piano meant for Elton John.

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What was the first concert Kurt Cobain attended?
Soundgarden
The Melvins
Babes in Toyland
Bikini Kill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Kurt Cobain's relatives claim his first concert was a Sammy Hagar show, Kurt claimed that it was The Melvins. The Melvins were vital in creating the Seattle sound, and they are still touring these days.

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Which Nirvana song was written about a 14-year-old girl?
"Polly"
"All Apologies"
"Bleach"
"Breed"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Polly" was written after Kurt Cobain read a news article detailing the abduction of a 14-year-old girl. In the song, he used the name Polly to tie the girl to the image of a caged bird.

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What was the name of the record label that released Bleach?
Sub Pop
Arista Records
Columbia Records
4AD
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Sub Pop released Bleach, it was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Founded in 1986, it has released artists like Mudhoney, Nirvana, and Sleater-Kinney.

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Why did Nirvana get kicked out of their own release party?
They played terribly.
They were late.
They refused to play.
They started a food fight.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Geffen records organized the release party for Nevermind, they never dreamed that their band would be kicked out. Members of Nirvana thought it would be funny to start a food fight with a ranch-filled watermelon. The venue's security kicked them out.

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Where did Kurt Cobain grow up?
Seattle, Washington
Billingham, Washington
Aberdeen, Washington
Portland, Oregon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During his youth, Kurt spent time in the small town of Aberdeen, Washington. A sign now welcomes visitors with the phrase "Come As You Are."

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Where did Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic meet?
They met at a concert.
They met in high school.
They met at work.
They met backstage.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the pair originally met in high school, they did not start making music together until they met at a Melvins practice a few years later. Since Nirvana, Novoselic has gone on to make many guest appearances including backing vocals for a few Foo Fighters tracks.

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How much did Bleach cost to record?
$25,000
$12,000
$3,743
$606
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Bleach was recorded, Jason Everman was brought in to provide a second guitar. What he didn't know what that he would foot the $606 cost of recording the whole album.

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Which singer inspired the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit?"
Kathleen Hanna
Courtney Love
Dolly Parton
Jewel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During a late night after party, Bikini Kill singer Kathleen Hanna spray painted the words "Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit" on his bedroom wall. She was referencing the kind of deodorant that Cobain's girlfriend wore.

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What was In Utero first set to be called?
Dumb
Milk It
I Hate Myself and I Want to Die
Pennyroyal Tea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Utero was originally set to be named I Hate Myself and I Want to Die. However, the threat of lawsuits saw the band simply naming a song I Hate Myself and I Want to Die and renaming the album. In Utero.

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Which religion did Kurt Cobain follow?
Buddhism
Hinduism
Christianity
Islam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Kurt Cobain was young, his father sent him to live with a devout Christian friend. Although he joined the church, he later became a follower of Buddhism.

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What did Kurt Cobain name his imaginary friend?
Louie
Mike
Boddah
Brandon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As a child, Kurt Cobain held a close relationship with an imaginary friend named Boddah. Sadly, a note addressed to Boddah was found alongside Cobain's body after his suicide.

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What was the name of the hidden track on Nevermind?
"Breed"
"Endless Nameless"
"All Apologies"
"Territorial Pissings"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At the end of Nevermind, there's a hidden track called "Endless Nameless." Somehow, the track was accidentally left off of 50,000 copies, making them instant collector's items.

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What was the name of Nirvana's first single?
"Smells Like Teen Spirit"
"Lithium"
"Love Buzz"
"Bleach"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Nirvana single was released by SubPop records under the title "Love Buzz." The song was a cover of the Dutch group Shocking Blue, and it was also covered by Bananarama.

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How did Kurt Cobain spell his name in the early days?
Curt Cobain
Kurdt Cobain
Kurt Kobain
Krut Cobain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In an effort to remove himself from his music, Kurt Cobain used the misspelling of Kurdt Cobain during early credits. It was one of many small efforts to distance himself from his impending fame.

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Where did Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love get married?
Waikiki Beach
Las Vegas
New York
Paris, France
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On February 24, 1992, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were married on Waikiki Beach. In typical Kurt Cobain fashion, he attended the ceremony dressed in his pajamas.

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What color dress did Kurt Cobain wear on the band's Headbanger's Ball debut?
Purple
Green
Black
Yellow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Playing with the show's name, Kurt Cobain wore a yellow ballgown for his appearance on Headbanger's Ball. He topped off the look with black sunglasses.

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Which of The Foo Fighters' songs is about Kurt Cobain?
"My Hero"
"Monkey Wrench"
"Everlong"
"Learn to Fly"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although many speculate that a lot of The Foo Fighters' early songs are about Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl admits that the song "My Hero" was written in his honor. It was released in 1997, only four years after Cobain's death.

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What year did the band release From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah?
1994
1996
1993
1990
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although From The Muddy Banks of the Wishkah was ready to be released in 1994, it was not released until 1996. The remaining two band members did not want to release it so soon after Kurt Cobain's death.

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What name did Nirvana perform under for a brief moment?
Ted Ed Fred
The Fruit Stripes
Heart-Shaped Box
Me and Mine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before deciding on the name Nirvana, the band appeared as Ted Ed Fred during their early years. Other names that were considered include Skid Row and Pen Cap Chew. Cobain decided on Nirvana because he wanted a name that sounded more serene than the music.

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What song was also called "Autopilot?"
"Sliver"
"All Apologies"
"You Know You're Right"
"Heart Shaped Box"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also known as "Autopilot" and "On a Mountain," "You Know You're Right" was the eventual title listed in the liner notes. Nirvana songs had a tradition of having titles that evolved with the work.

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What did Kurt Cobain name his cat?
Kitty
Melvin
Bean
George
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kurt Cobain was a true animal lover. His pets included a cat named Melvin, a rat named Kitty, and he was known to own a few turtles, too.

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Who introduced Dave Grohl to the band?
Buzz Osborne
Ozzy Osborne
Butch Vig
Toby Vail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In early formations of the band, Nirvana had five drummers before meeting Dave Grohl. Grohl and Cobain were introduced to one another by the Melvins' frontman, Buzz Osborne.

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Which member of Soundgarden played with early versions of Nirvana?
Chris Cornell
Matt Cameron
Ben Shepherd
Jason Everman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before becoming a member of Soundgarden, Jason Everman played guitar with Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. It is said that Kurt Cobain and Everman couldn't get along because their personalities were so similar.

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Which state did Dave Grohl grow up in?
Iowa
Washington
Ohio
California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nirvana's final drummer, Dave Grohl, was born in Warren, Ohio. Although he grew up in Washington, D.C., the world of music was changed by his choice to relocate to the West Coast.

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Which drummer did Kurt Cobain date before recording Nevermind?
Moe Tucker
Meg White
Tobi Vail
Patty Schemel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shortly before Nevermind was recorded, Bikini Kill drummer Tobi Vail broke off her relationship with Kurt Cobain. Songs like "Drain You" and "Lounge Act" are said to have been written about her.

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Who produced In Utero?
Butch Vig
Moby
Lou Reed
Steve Albini
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With $25,000 and two weeks, Steve Albini produced In Utero. Later, R.E.M. producer Scott Lott was brought in to remix two tracks from the album.

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Which classic rock band is seen on the back of Nevermind?
Journey
Led Zeppelin
KISS
Black Sabbath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On the back of the Nevermind cover, there's a collage created by Kurt Cobain. If you look closely, you can see a picture of the band KISS. Cobain's family says that KISS was one of his childhood favorites.

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