How Dave Grohl Went From Nirvana’s Drummer to Foo Fighters’ Frontman (2011)

Summary

In this engaging script, the interviewee reminisces about their time in Nirvana and the various drummers who preceded them, including a humorous encounter with one in a laundromat. The conversation touches on the financial freedom they gained post-Nirvana, which allowed them to pursue music without the pressure of financial necessity. The interviewee also discusses their transition from drummer to frontman and the independent nature of their current band, Foo Fighters, which owns its entire music catalog and operates without external financial constraints.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The speaker reminisces about meeting former band members of Nirvana and their unique personalities.
• 🤔 There's an implication that some former members might have been overlooked or not chosen for Nirvana for various reasons.
• 🍻 A humorous anecdote is shared about one former member getting into an industrial-sized dryer for fun.
• 🥁 The drummers from Nirvana's early days, Chad and Dale Crover, are mentioned, with the latter being a drumming hero of the speaker.
• 🏠 Chad is said to be living on Bainbridge Island and pursuing his own music, while Dale Crover is recognized for his work with another band, The Melvins.
• 🎸 The transition from being a drummer in Nirvana to a frontman and guitarist is discussed, highlighting the speaker's musical evolution.
• 💰 The financial success of Nirvana is touched upon, with the speaker estimating his net worth to be around $15 million at the time.
• 🚫 Despite the wealth, there was no intention to stop making music, emphasizing the love for the craft over the money.
• 🎤 The Foo Fighters' approach to music is described as being financially cautious and focused on the music rather than aggressive financial strategies.
• 📜 The Foo Fighters own their entire music catalog, which they license to Sony BMG, indicating a sense of independence and control over their work.
• 🤝 The conversation suggests a camaraderie and mutual respect among the band members, both past and present.

Q & A

Who were the five other members of Nirvana before the interviewee joined?

The interviewee mentions meeting one of them, who showed up in a monster truck, but does not provide specific names other than Chad and Dale Crover.

What was the experience like when the interviewee first met one of the former Nirvana members?

The experience was quite unusual as the former member jumped into an industrial-sized dryer at a laundromat and flipped around for a couple of minutes.

What is the current occupation of Chad, one of the former Nirvana drummers?

Chad lives on Banbridge Island and has his own music thing going on, which implies he is still involved in the music industry.

Why was Dale Crover not a permanent member of Nirvana?

Dale Crover was in another band, The Melvins, which was Kurt's favorite band, and he did not want to leave it.

How did the interviewee transition from being a drummer to a frontman with a guitar?

After Nirvana ended, the interviewee had the freedom and financial stability to explore new roles in music, leading to the formation of Foo Fighters.

What was the financial situation of the interviewee after Nirvana ended?

The interviewee was not as wealthy as one might assume, estimating his worth to be around $15 million, which provided financial freedom but not excessive wealth.

Did the interviewee consider stopping music after Nirvana due to financial stability?

No, the interviewee used the financial stability as an opportunity to pursue music without the pressure of financial risks.

What was the interviewee's attitude towards discussing money in relation to Foo Fighters?

The interviewee and Foo Fighters have always focused on the music rather than the financial aspects, emphasizing a 'mellow' approach to their work.

How does Foo Fighters manage their albums and catalog?

The albums are released on the interviewee's label, which is then licensed to Sony BMG, allowing the band to maintain ownership of their catalog.

What was the interviewee's occupation during high school?

The interviewee was working at a music store during high school, which likely influenced his later career in music.

How does the interviewee describe the foundation of Foo Fighters in terms of financial approach?

The foundation of Foo Fighters is described as not being aggressive financially, focusing more on the music and enjoying the process rather than the monetary gains.