1988

Contents:

• Ted, Ed, Fred demos and live performances.
• Kurt Cobain home recordings.
• Nirvana studio recordings and debut single.

23 January 1988 - Demo Recording Session

Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Personnel:

• Kurt Cobain - Vocals & Guitar
• Krist Novoselic - Bass
• Dale Crover - Drums (Backing vocals on "Downer" and "Spank Thru")
• Jack Endino - Producer

1. Ted, Ed, Fred - If You Must [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)

2. Ted, Ed, Fred - Downer [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Incesticide [Compilation] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

3. Ted, Ed, Fred - Floyd The Barber [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

4. Ted, Ed, Fred - Paper Cuts [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

5. Ted, Ed, Fred - Spank Thru [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

6. Ted, Ed, Fred - Hairspray Queen [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Incesticide [Compilation] (1992)

7. Ted, Ed, Fred - Aero Zeppelin [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Incesticide [Compilation] (1992)

8. Ted, Ed, Fred - Beeswax [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Various Artists - Kill Rock Stars (1991)
• Nirvana - Incesticide [Compilation] (1992)

9. Ted, Ed, Fred - Mexican Seafood [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Various Artists - Teriyaki Asthma [E.P.] (1989)
• Nirvana - Incesticide [Compilation] (1992)

10. Ted, Ed, Fred - Pen Cap Chew [Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)

Notes:

• This was the band's first professional recording session.
• LiveNirvana notes the band were using the name Ted, Ed, Fred at this point.

References:

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004) sleeve notes
• LiveNirvana: Sessions History (January 23, 1988)
• Wikipedia: With the Lights Out

23 January 1988 - Live Performance

The Community World Theatre, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A.

Personnel:

• Kurt Cobain - Vocals & Guitar
• Krist Novoselic - Bass
• Dale Crover - Drums

1. Ted, Ed, Fred - If You Must [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

2. Ted, Ed, Fred - Downer [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)

3. Ted, Ed, Fred - Floyd The Barber [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)
• Nirvana - Sliver, The Best Of The Box [Compilation] (2005)

4. Ted, Ed, Fred - Paper Cuts [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

5. Ted, Ed, Fred - Spank Thru [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

6. Ted, Ed, Fred - Hairspray Queen [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

7. Ted, Ed, Fred - Aero Zeppelin [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

8. Ted, Ed, Fred - Beeswax [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

9. Ted, Ed, Fred - Mexican Seafood [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

10. Ted, Ed, Fred - Pen Cap Chew [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

11. Ted, Ed, Fred - Anorexorcist [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

12. Ted, Ed, Fred - Hairspray Queen [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

13. Ted, Ed, Fred - Raunchola / Moby Dick [Live]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain / John Bonham / John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)

Notes:

• LiveNirvana notes the band were using the name Ted, Ed, Fred at this point.
• LiveNirvana lists "Raunchola" as "Erectum".
• "Moby Dick" originally performed by Led Zeppelin.

References:

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004) sleeve notes
• LiveNirvana: Concert Chronology (January 23, 1988)
• Wikipedia: With the Lights Out

Circa Early 1988 - Home Demo Recordings

Olympia, Washington, U.S.A.

Personnel:

• Kurt Cobain - Vocals & Guitar

1. Kurt Cobain - Vendetagainst [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

2. Kurt Cobain - Unknown #1 [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

3. Kurt Cobain - Unknown #2 [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

4. Kurt Cobain - Unknown #3 (She Only Lies) [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) (2015)
• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition] (2015)

5. Kurt Cobain - Sappy [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) (2015)
• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition] (2015)

6. Kurt Cobain - Polly [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)

7. Kurt Cobain - Don’t Want It All [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)

8. Kurt Cobain - Unknown #4 [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

9. Kurt Cobain - Clean Up Before She Comes [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)
• Nirvana - Sliver, The Best Of The Box [Compilation] (2005)
• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) (2015)
• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition] (2015)

10. Kurt Cobain - Beans [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)
• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition] (2015)

11. Kurt Cobain - Unknown #5 (The Happy Guitar) [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) (2015)
• Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck, The Home Recordings (Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition] (2015)

12. Kurt Cobain - About A Girl [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)
• Nirvana - Sliver, The Best Of The Box [Compilation] (2005)

13. Kurt Cobain - Unknown #6 (Escalator To Hell) [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

14. Kurt Cobain - Montage Of Heck [Home Demo]
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Love Buzz [Single] (1988)

Notes:

• These 4-track demos were recorded at Kurt Cobain's house.
• The recording date is only a guess. LiveNirvana notes these demos were not recorded in a single session and could have been recorded anywhere from 1987 through to mid-1988 when they started to turn up on cassette compilations destributed by Kurt.
• LiveNirvana lists "Don't Want It All" as "Seed".
• It is unclear if "Vendetagainst" is the same song as 'Help Me, I'm Hungry" or a totally different song.

References:

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004) sleeve notes
• LiveNirvana: Sessions History (1987-1988)
• Wikipedia: With the Lights Out

11, 30 June, 16 July, & 27 September 1988 - Studio Recording Sessions

Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Personnel:

• Kurt Cobain - Vocals & Guitar
• Krist Novoselic - Bass
• Chad Channing - Drums
• Jack Endino - Producer (Backing vocals on "Spank Thru")

1. Nirvana - Blandest
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004)
• Nirvana - Sliver, The Best Of The Box [Compilation] (2005)

2. Nirvana - Spank Thru
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Various Artists - Sub Pop 200 (1988)

3. Nirvana - Big Cheese
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Love Buzz [Single] (1988)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

4. Nirvana - Love Buzz
- Author(s): Robbie van Leeuwen

• Nirvana - Love Buzz [Single] (1988)
• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Blew [E.P.] (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

Notes:

• "Love Buzz" originally performed by Shocking Blue.

References:

• Nirvana - With The Lights Out [Compilation Boxed Set] (2004) sleeve notes
• LiveNirvana: Sessions History (June-September 1988)
• Wikipedia: With the Lights Out

Released: 1 November 1988

Nirvana - Love Buzz [Single]

Sub Pop Records

Tracks:

1. Nirvana - Love Buzz [Single Mix] (3:41)
- Author(s): Robbie van Leeuwen
- Recorded: 11, 30 June, 16 July, & 27 September 1988, Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

2. Nirvana - Big Cheese (3:37)
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain
- Recorded: 11, 30 June, 16 July, & 27 September 1988, Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Notes:

• The single was Nirvana's debut recorded release, and was released as Sub Pop Singles Club #1.
• Only 1000 copies were pressed on black vinyl, and individually hand-numbered.
• The exclusive single mix of "Love Buzz" contains 10 seconds of the "Montage Of Heck" as the intro.
• "Love Buzz" originally performed by Shocking Blue.

References:

• Wikipedia: Love Buzz

24, 29-31 December 1988 & 14, 24 January 1989 - Studio Recording Sessions

Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Personnel:

• Kurt Cobain - Vocals & Guitar
• Krist Novoselic - Bass
• Chad Channing - Drums
• Jack Endino - Producer
  

1. Nirvana - Scoff
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

2. Nirvana - Mr. Moustache
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

3. Nirvana - Sifting
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

4. Nirvana - About A Girl
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Nirvana [Compilation] (2002)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

5. Nirvana - Blew
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Blew [E.P.] (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

6. Nirvana - Swap Meet
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

7. Nirvana - Negative Creep
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Various Artists - Hype! (The Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1996)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

8. Nirvana - School
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
• Nirvana - Bleach [Reissue] (1992)
• Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary) [Deluxe Edition] (2009)

9. Nirvana - Big Long Now
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain

• Nirvana - Incesticide [Compilation] (1992)

Notes:

References:

• LiveNirvana: Sessions History (December 1988)

Released: 28 December 1988

Various Artists - Sub Pop 200

Sub Pop Records

Tracks:

3. Nirvana - Spank Thru (3:19)
- Author(s): Kurt Cobain
- Recorded: 11, 30 June, 16 July, & 27 September 1988, Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Notes:

• There were only 5000 copies pressed of the triple 10" vinyl E.P. set, which included a 20 page booklet.
• Also included tracks by Tad, The Fluid, Steven J. Bernstein, Mudhoney, The Walkabouts, Terry Lee Hale, Soundgarden, Green River, Fastbacks, Blood Circus, Swallow, Chemistry Set, Girl Trouble, The Nights and Days, Cat Butt, Beat Happening, Screaming Trees, Steve Fisk and Thrown Ups.

References:

• Wikipedia: Sub Pop 200