Here’s what I’ve been listening to while trying to write my Nirvana book (part 2)

1. The Research - Breaking Up
2. The Organ - Grab That Gun
3. The June Brides - Every Conversation
4. Spider And The Webs - demo
5. Catfish Haven - Please Come Back
6. The Zombies - The EP Collection
7. McKinlay ‘Soul’ Mitchell - The Town I Live In
8. Various - Fonotone Records
9. Quasi - When The Going Gets Dark
10. The Wipers - Is This Real?

Saw The Research two nights back: Russell battered three layers of submission out of his timid keyboard like he was auditioning for Quasi; Georgia threatened to hit him with her bass; Sarah jumped up in a futile attempt to see the back of the Free Butt. Tunes spun and serrated, a sugary edge masking the bitter aftertaste. (A little like medicine, perhaps?) People laughed, a fraction too loudly. Some twat stood right in front of me, videoing for his own private pleasure - ignoring the fact he was at a live concert. Started with ‘The Way You Used To Smile’, announced as ‘our best song’, which it so remained until ‘I Love You But…’ came along and stole our hearts once more. The band seemed nervous, and rocked harder than I expected, or even necessarily wanted. Halfway through, Charlotte came over faint - lack of sleep, cigarette smoke, claustrophobia - and we had to leave. Bah.

Earlier, the band came over for tea and muffins, and recorded four songs on the 4-track, cheered on by Russell’s girlfriend Charlotte, and my mum. They’re so sweet and polite! The songs sounded so special, only slightly hampered by my entire lack of technical expertise. (I move people around the living room to achieve a balance, rather than overdub.) Piano, Casio, upturned footrest, baby’s tambourine, two acoustic guitars and of course those three voices, dipping in and out, swooping.

Man, we felt special.

I’ve just got to the part of the biography where Courtney flies out to Chicago to meet up with Billy Corgan and ends the night with Kurt in his hotel room. Man, where is Urge Overkill’s number when I need it?