It feels like years since Kurt Cobain and Nirvana have headed back into the studio to record any new music, but come May 4 you’ll be able to allay your desire a little longer by purchasing and then watching the new Nirvana live DVD, Life Takes No Prisoners. Despite the unfortunate title, the video stands to be quite satisfactory, as it will finally make available the classic 1992 performance by Nirvana at the Reading Festival in the UK. The show is fondly remembered by those who attended, and by those who didn’t, as one of the all-time, top-five, best-ever Nirvana performances EVER. Yes, I did mean to include two typings of “ever” -- that’s how good the show was.
The explosive set opens with the classic image of Cobain (who had just days before overdosed, on cough syrup I think, and was subsequently admitted to a local hospital) rolling on to the stage with the aid of a wheelchair, dressed in hospital scrubs. The grungy front man then warbled his way through “The Rose” before crumbling to the ground, seemingly bereft of energy. The collapse served to cement fan fears that Cobain’s health would prevent a concert. However, Cobain, suddenly rocketed to life by his remembrance that he HATED Courtney Love, pulled himself together and urged, no, cajoled his band to a stellar display of Rockerocity (Rock + Ferocity). Nirvana proceeded to rip, burn, tear, destroy, and overall absolutely amaze as they played a super-charged 27-song set, including a bitchin’ cover of Boston’s “More Than a Feeling,” finally ending the whole affair with a psyched-up, punktastic (Punk + Fantastic) version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the newly christened Alternative Nation. Immediately following the last note, Cobain proceeded to shoot both arms up with such massive doses of heroin that he literally rocketed through the sky, showering the audience with love and spit. At least, that’s how I remember it.
If you’re a fan of the band or if you’re one of the many people who claim to be present at the show, then pick this fucking DVD up. I once saw a bootlegged version, when me and my brother both imagined ourselves as Kurt Cobain Jr., and my mom totally had a crush on Kurdt, and it was amazing. It is amazing. BEST NIRVANA SHOW EVER. Except for that whole Unplugged thing -- that was cool too.
To repeat myself: On May 4, 2009, the DVD, Life Takes No Prisoners, detailing Nirvana’s performance at 1992’s Reading Festival, is being released. Here’s the tracklist for the show:
1. The Rose/Intro
2. Breed
3. Drain You
4. Aneurysm
5. School
6. Sliver
7. In Bloom
8. Come as You Are
9. Lithium
10. About a Girl
11. Tourette's
12. Polly
13. Lounge Act
14. More Than a Feeling/Smells Like Teen Spirit
15. On a Plain
16. Negative Creep
17. Been a Son
18. All Apologies
19. Blew
20. Dumb
21. Stay Away
22. Spank Thru
23. Love Buzz
24. The Money Will Roll Right In
25. D-7
26. Territorial Pissings
27. The Star-Spangled Banner
