Smells Like Nirvana (SLN) is a Nirvana tribute band, named for the song “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The tribute band is a trio comprised of professional musicians who are also great fans of the original group. The tribute band performs without backing tracks or click tracks, instead concentrating on the grunge style and rock expertise exhibited by the original group. SLN is based in Chicago, and features Paul Wandtke, who was with Trivium, on guitar and vocals; bassist Mike Petrasek, once with Bedlem; and Sean McCole on drums. A review calls them:
“Chicago's grungiest tribute to Nirvana.”
Nirvana itself formed in 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington, with guitarist and lead singer/songwriter Kurt Cobain joining bassist Krist Novoselic to start the group. The last aboard was Dave Grohl, the drummer, who joined in 1990. A grunge band that became a fixture in the Seattle scene, Nirvana broke through into the mainstream with “Nevermind,” their second album, which featured the gigantic hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The RIAA certified the 1991 album Diamond.
Smells Like Nirvana will be at the Knitting Factory Concert House in Spokane, next door to Spokane Valley, at 8:00 pm on February 26, 2021. Poster printing is often used to create striking advertising for this type of event.