During a recent episode of Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, an interesting revelation came to light about a prank that the legendary band Nirvana played on the iconic rockstar Gene Simmons. The conversation took place on Conan O’Brien‘s podcast, ‘Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,’ where the band members discussed some unusual moments during the recording of their hit album, In Utero.
The episode began with Conan asking about the band’s sense of purpose and their exceptional performance on the album. The band members confirmed that they were indeed focused and prepared during the recording process.
They recalled that the first song they recorded for the album was “Serve the Servants,” and it took just one take to get it right. This impressive achievement set the tone for the rest of the recording session. In fact, they completed the drums and basic tracks within three to four days, leaving them with plenty of downtime.
During this downtime, they engaged in some rather interesting activities. One band member mentioned watching old David Attenborough videotapes, while another admitted to tending fires in the fireplace. It was truly a unique experience akin to being in ‘The Shining’.
But their unusual antics didn’t stop there. The conversation turned to the use of a cleaning solvent in the studio. This specially formulated alcohol had a unique property: it could be set on fire without causing harm. Naturally, the band members experimented with this, setting things ablaze for their amusement.
The discussion then turned to prank phone calls that they made during the recording sessions. It was revealed that the band pretended to be Kurt Cobain while making a call to Gene Simmons, the legendary bassist of Kiss. The prank was initiated because Simmons approached the band’s management with the idea of Nirvana contributing to a Kiss tribute album. However, Kurt Cobain was not particularly interested in the offer.
In a hilarious twist, one band member made the call to Simmons pretending to be Cobain, while Cobain himself listened and giggled in the background. The conversation revolved around Cobain expressing his disinterest in participating due to a “reliability problem.” The band found this prank particularly amusing because Simmons couldn’t fathom that anyone in the world wouldn’t be a massive Kiss fan.
But the pranks didn’t stop with Gene Simmons. The band also made prank calls to Evan Dando, the lead singer of the Lemonheads, and Eddie Vedder, the frontman of Pearl Jam. Details of these pranks were not provided, but it was clear that they were done in good humor and without any ill will.
It is worth noting that these pranks were carried out during a time when the band had nothing else to do. They were isolated in the recording studio in the middle of nowhere, and their mischievous activities helped pass the time.
Overall, the conversation between the band members and Conan O’Brien showcased their playful and humorous sides. It was evident that Nirvana not only made brilliant music but also had a penchant for entertainment and pranks. This chat show episode gave fans a glimpse into the band’s dynamic and unique recording experience during the making of In Utero.
For fans of Nirvana and the talk show, ‘Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,’ this episode provided a delightful and entertaining insight into the band’s unconventional recording habits. The anecdotes shared by the band members added another layer of fascination to this iconic group’s legacy.
