This is a Call

by Paul Brannigan

  ‘Teenage angst has paid off well / Now I’m bored and old’

  Nirvana, ‘Serve the Servants’, written by Kurt Cobain, published by The End of Music/EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc. (BMI), from the album In Utero (Geffen, 1993).

  ‘I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black’

  Nirvana, ‘Heart-Shaped Box’, written by Kurt Cobain, published by The End of Music/EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc. (BMI), from the album In Utero (Geffen, 1993).

  ‘Cufk Tish Sips’

  Nirvana, ‘Tourette’s’, written by Kurt Cobain, published by The End of Music/EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc. (BMI), from the album In Utero (Geffen, 1993).

  ‘Pain’

  Nirvana, ‘You Know You’re Right’, written by Kurt Cobain, published by The End of Music/EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc. (BMI), from the album Nirvana (Geffen, 2002).

  ‘You can’t fire me because I quit’

  Nirvana, ‘Scentless Apprentice’, words by Kurt Cobain, music by Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, published by The End of Music/ EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc. (BMI), from the album In Utero (Geffen, 1993).

  ‘Big train, big train, do you wanna ride my big train?’

  Mike Watt, ‘Big Train’, written by Tony Kinman and Chip Kinman, published by Sony Music Entertainment Inc., from the album Ball-Hog or Tugboat? (Columbia, 1995).

  ‘The kids of today should defend themselves against the 70’s’

  Mike Watt, ‘Against the 70’s’, written by Mike Watt, published by Sony Music Entertainment Inc., from the album Ball-Hog or Tugboat? (Columbia, 1995).

  ‘I don’t owe you anything’ and ‘How could it be I’m the only one who sees your rehearsed insanity?’ and ‘I’ve been around all the pawns you’ve gagged and bound’

  Foo Fighters, ‘I’ll Stick Around’, written by Dave Grohl, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, administered by EMI Music (BMI), from the album Foo Fighters (Roswell/Capitol, 1995).

  ‘This is a call to all my past resignations’

  Foo Fighters, ‘This Is a Call’, written by Dave Grohl, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, administered by EMI Music (BMI), from the album Foo Fighters (Roswell/Capitol, 1995).

  ‘Breathe out, so I can breathe you in …’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Everlong’, written by Dave Grohl, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, from the album The Colour and the Shape (Roswell/Capitol, 1997).

  ‘We’re all gonna score. Fuck your drug war!’

  Harlingtox A. D., ‘Treason Daddy Brother in Crime Real Patriots Type Stuff ’, written by Harlingtox A. D., lyrics by Bruce Merkle, published by Harlingtox A. D., from the album Harlingtox Angel Divine (Laundry Room, 1996).

  ‘I have always been a stupid fucker.’

  Harlingtox A. D., ‘Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree’, written by Harlingtox A. D., lyrics by Bruce Merkle, published by Harlingtox A. D., from the album Harlingtox Angel Divine (Laundry Room, 1996).

  ‘In all of the time that we’ve shared I’ve never been so scared’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Doll’, written by Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, from the album The Colour and the Shape (Roswell/ Capitol, 1997).

  ‘I’m not scared’

  Foo Fighters, ‘New Way Home’, written by Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, from the album The Colour and the Shape (Roswell/Capitol, 1997).

  ‘the boats and the King Dome’

  Foo Fighters, ‘New Way Home’, written by Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, from the album The Colour and the Shape (Roswell/Capitol, 1997).

  ‘Line up all the bastards, all we want is the truth’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Stacked Actors’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, Flying Earform Music and Living Under a Rock Music, administered by EMI Virgin Songs, Inc. (BMI), from the album There Is Nothing Left to Lose (Roswell/Capitol, 1995).

  ‘Into the sun we climb. Climbing our wings will burn bright. Everyone strapped in tight, we’ll ride it out. I’ll be coming home next year.’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Next Year’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, Flying Earform Music and Living Under a Rock Music, administered by EMI Virgin Songs, Inc. (BMI), from the album There Is Nothing Left to Lose (Roswell/Capitol, 1995).

  ‘Mine is yours and yours is mine / There is no divide / In your honor I would die tonight.’

  Foo Fighters, ‘In Your Honor’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (AS CAP), and Flying Earform Music (BMI), from the album InYour Honor (Roswell/RCA, 2005).

  ‘This is the last song that I will dedicate to you’

  Foo Fighters, ‘The Last Song’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP), and Flying Earform Music (BMI), from the album InYour Honor (Roswell/RCA, 2005).

  ‘The only thing I ever ask of you is you gotta promise not to stop when I say when’ Foo Fighters, ‘Everlong’, written by Dave Grohl, published by M.J.-Twelve Music, from the album The Colour and the Shape (Roswell/Capitol, 1997).

  ‘Echoes, silence, patience and grace, all of these moments I’ll never replace’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Home’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP), and Flying Earform Music (BMI), from the album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (Roswell/RCA, 2007).

  ‘unwanted strangers, exploited and dangerous’

  Them Crooked Vultures, ‘Elephant’, written by Them Crooked Vultures, published by Board Stiff Music (BMI), M.J.-Twelve Music, administered by songs of Universal Inc. (BMI), Cap Three, Ltd. (ASCAP), from the album Them Crooked Vultures (Columbia, 2009).

  ‘Goodbye Jimmy, farewell youth’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Word Forward’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP), and Flying Earform Music and Ruthensmear Music, both administered by Bug Music (BMI), from the album Greatest Hits (Roswell/Sony, 2009).

  ‘I should have known, I was inside of you’ and ‘I cannot forgive you yet, to leave my heart in debt’

  Foo Fighters, ‘I Should Have Known’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP), and Flying Earform Music and Ruthensmear Music, both administered by Bug Music (BMI), from the album Wasting Light (Roswell/RCA, 2011).

  ‘came without a warning’

  Foo Fighters, ‘I Should Have Known’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP), and Flying Earform Music and Ruthensmear Music, both administered by Bug Music (BMI), from the album Wasting Light (Roswell/RCA, 2011).

  ‘My sweet Virginia, I’m the same as I was in your heart’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Arlandria’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP), and Flying Earform Music and Ruthensmear Music, both administered by Bug Music (BMI), from the album Wasting Light (Roswell/RCA, 2011).

  ‘I never wanna die!’

  Foo Fighters, ‘Walk’, written by Foo Fighters, published by M.J.-Twelve Music and I Love the Punk Rock Music, both administered by Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Living Under a Rock Music, administered by Universal Music Corp. (
ASCAP), and Flying Earform Music and Ruthensmear Music, both administered by Bug Music (BMI), from the album Wasting Light (Roswell/RCA, 2011).

  Picture credits

  Plate-section photographs have been supplied courtesy of: Donald Butcher/ Jon Fitzgerald: p1 (bottom); Amanda MacKaye: p2 (top); Mark Smith: p2 (bottom); Naomi Peterson: p3 (top); Ian Tilton/Retna: p3 (bottom); Martyn Goodacre/Retna: p4 (top left); Michael Lissen/Redferns: p4 (top right); Steve Eichner/Retna: p4 (bottom); Steve Pyke/Getty: p5; Lisa Johnson: pp6 – 7, 9, 10, 16 (bottom); David Wilds: p8 (top); Robert Lang: p8 (bottom); Scarlet Page: p11 (top and bottom); LFI: p12; Paul Harries: p13 (top and bottom right); Retna: p13 (bottom left); FilmMagic: p14; Ross Halfin: p 15; Wire Image: p16 (top left); Getty: p16 (top right).

  Bibliography

  Anderson, Mark and Mark Jenkins (2001) Dance of Days:Two Decades of Punk in the Nation’s Capital, Soft Skull Press.

  Apter, Jeff (2008) The Dave Grohl Story, Omnibus Press.

  Azerrad, Michael (1993) Come AsYou Are: The Story of Nirvana, Main Street.

  Azerrad, Michael (2001) Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981 – 1991, Little Brown.

  Berkenstadt, Jim and Charles Cross (1998) Nevermind Nirvana: Classic Rock Albums, Schirmer Trade Books.

  Blush, Steve (2001) American Hardcore: A Tribal History, Feral House.

  Borzillo, Carrie (2000) Nirvana: The Day by Day Eyewitness Chronicle, Carlton.

  Chick, Stevie (2009) Spray Paint the Walls: The Story of Black Flag, Omnibus Press.

  Cobain, Kurt (2002) Journals, Viking.

  Cross, Charles R. (2001) Heavier than Heaven: The Biography of Kurt Cobain, Hodder & Stoughton.

  Cogan, Brian (2006) The Encyclopaedia of Punk, Sterling Publishing.

  Earles, Andrew (2010) Hüsker Dü:The Story of the Noise-Pop Pioneers Who Launched Modern Rock, Voyager Press.

  Goldberg, Danny (2008) Bumping into Geniuses: My Life Inside the Rock and Roll Business, Gotham Books.

  Foege, Alec (1994) Confusion Is Next: The SonicYouth Story, St Martin’s Press.

  James, Mark (2008) Dave Grohl: Foo Fighters, Nirvana and Other Misadventures, Independent Music Press.

  Love, Courtney (2006) Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love, Faber & Faber.

  McMurray, Jacob (2011) Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind, Fantagraphics Books.

  Marcus, Griel (1993) In the Fascist Bathroom: Writings on Punk 1977 – 1992, Viking, 1993.

  Mulholland, Garry (2006) Fear of Music: The 261 Greatest Albums since Punk and Disco, Orion Books.

  Mullen, Brendan, with Don Bolles and Adam Pamfrey (2002) Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and The Germs, Feral House.

  Nedorostek, Nathan and Anthony Pappalardo (2008) Radio Silence: A Selected Visual History of American Hardcore Music, MTV Press.

  Novoselic, Krist (2004) Of Grunge and Government, RDV Books/Akashic Books.

  Parker, James (1998) Turned On: A Biography of Henry Rollins, Phoenix.

  Peterson, Charles (1995) Screaming Life: A Chronicle of the Seattle Music Scene, HarperCollins West.

  Prato, Greg (2009) Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music, ECW Press.

  Robbins, Ira (ed.) (1997) The Trouser Press Guide to ’90s Rock, Fireside.

  Rocco, John (ed.) (1998) The Nirvana Companion:Two Decades of Commentary, Omnibus Press.

  Rollins, Henry (1994) Get in the Van: On the Road with Black Flag, 2.13.61.

  True, Everett (2006) Nirvana: The True Story, Omnibus.

  The following magazines and fanzines have also been invaluable in researching This is a Call: Alternative Press, Flipside, Kerrang!, maximumrocknroll, Melody Maker, Metal Hammer, MOJO, NME, Q, Rolling Stone, Select, Spin, Sounds,The Stranger, Suburban Voice, Uncut.

  Discography

  Mission Impossible

  Can It Be? (compilation) (Metrozine, 1985): ‘New Ideas’

  Alive and Kicking (compilation), (WGNS/Metrozine, 1985): ‘I Can Only Try’ 77KK (compilation) (77KK, 1985): ‘Life Already Drawn’

  Thanks1 (split seven-inch EP with Lünchmeat) (Sammich/Dischord, 1985): ‘Helpless’ / ‘Into Your Shell’ / ‘Now I’m Alone’

  Dain Bramage

  I Scream Not Coming Down (Fartblossom, 1987): ‘The Log’ / ‘I Scream Not Coming Down’ / ‘Eyes Open’ / ‘Swear’ / ‘Flannery’ / ‘Drag Queen’ / ‘Stubble’ / ‘Flicker’ / ‘Give It Up’ / ‘Home Sweet Nowhere’

  Scream

  No More Censorship (RAS, 1988): ‘Hit Me’ / ‘No More Censorship’ / ‘Fucked Without a Kiss’ / ‘No Escape’ / ‘Building Dreams’/ ‘Take It from the Top’ / ‘Something in My Head’ / ‘It‘s About Time’ / ‘Binge’ / ‘Run to the Sun’ / ‘In the Beginning’

  Live at Van Hall (Konkurrel, 1989): ‘Who Knows, Who Cares?’ / ‘U. Suck A.’ – We’re Fed Up’ / ‘Laissez Faire’ / ‘This Side Up’ / ‘Human Behavior’ / ‘Iron Curtain’ / ‘Total Mash’ / ‘Still Screaming’ / ‘Chokeword’ / ‘Feel Like That’ / ‘Came Without Warning’ / ‘Walking by Myself ’

  Your Choice Live Series Vol. 10 (Your Choice, 1990): ‘C.W.W. (Part II)’ / ‘I.C.Y.U.O.D.’ / ‘The Zoo Closes’ / ‘Hot Smoke and Sasafrass’ / ‘Fight’ / ‘American Justice’ / ‘Show and Tell’ / ‘Sunmaker’ / ‘No Escape’ / ‘Take It from the Top’ / ‘Dancing Madly Backwards’ / ‘Hit Me’

  Fumble (Dischord, 1993):‘Caffeine Dream’ / ‘Sunmaker’ / ‘Mardi Gras’ / ‘Land Torn Down’ / ‘Gods Look Down’ / ‘Crackman’ / ‘Gas’ / ‘Dying Days’ / ‘Poppa Says’ / ‘Rain’

  Nirvana

  Nevermind (Geffen, 1991): ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ / ‘In Bloom’ / ‘Come as You Are’ / ‘Breed’ / ‘Lithium’/ ‘Polly’ / ‘Territorial Pissings’ / ‘Drain You’ / ‘Lounge Act’ / ‘Stay Away’ / ‘On a Plain’ / ‘Something in the Way’ / ‘Endless, Nameless’ (hidden track)

  Incesticide (Geffen, 1992): ‘Dive’ / ‘Sliver’ / ‘Stain / ‘Been a Son’ / ‘Turnaround’ / ‘Molly’s Lips’ / ‘Son of a Gun’ / ‘(New Wave) Polly’ / ‘Beeswax’ / ‘Downer’ / ‘Mexican Seafood’ / ‘Hairspray Queen’ / ‘Aero Zeppelin’ / ‘Big Long Now’ / ‘Aneurysm’

  In Utero (Geffen, 1993): ‘Serve the Servants’ / ‘Scentless Apprentice’ / ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ / ‘Rape Me’ / ‘Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle’ / ‘Dumb’ / ‘Very Ape’ / ‘Milk It’/ ‘Pennyroyal Tea’ / ‘Radio Friendly Unit Shifter’ / ‘Tourette’s’ / ‘All Apologies’ / ‘Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip’ (hidden track)

  MTV Unplugged in NewYork (Geffen, 1994): ‘About a Girl’ / ‘Come as You Are’ / ‘Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam’ / ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ / ‘Pennyroyal Tea’ / ‘Dumb’ / ‘Polly’ / ‘On a Plain’ / ‘Something in the Way’ / ‘Plateau’ / ‘Oh, Me’ / ‘Lake of Fire’ / ‘All Apologies’ / ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’

  From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (Geffen, 1996): ‘Intro’ / ‘School’ / ‘Drain You’ / ‘Aneurysm’ / ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ / ‘Been a Son’ / ‘Lithium’ / ‘Sliver’ / ‘Spank Thru’ / ‘Scentless Apprentice’ / ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ / ‘Milk It’ / ‘Negative Creep’ / ‘Polly’ / ‘Breed’ / ‘Tourette’s’ / ‘Blew’

  Nirvana (Geffen, 2002): ‘You Know You’re Right’ / ‘About a Girl’ / ‘Been a Son’ / ‘Sliver’ / ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ / ‘Come as You Are’ / ‘Lithium’ / ‘In Bloom’ / ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ / ‘Pennyroyal Tea’ / ’Rape Me’ / ‘Dumb / ‘All Apologies’ / ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ / ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’

  With the Lights Out (Geffen, 2004): ‘Heartbreaker’ / ‘Anorexorcist’ / ‘White Lace and Strange’ / ‘Help Me I’m Hungry’ / ‘Mrs Butterworth’ / ‘If You Must’ / ‘Pen Cap Chew’ / ‘Downer’ / ‘Floyd the Barber’ / ‘Raunchola/ Moby Dick’ / ‘Beans’ / ‘Don‘t Want It All’ / ‘Clean Up Before She Comes’ / ‘Polly’ / ‘Blandest’ / ‘Dive’ / ‘They Hung Him on
a Cross’ / ‘Grey Goose’ / ‘Ain’t It a Shame’ / ‘Token Eastern Song’ / ‘Even in His Youth’ / ‘Polly’ / ‘Opinion’ / ‘Lithium’ / ‘Been a Son’ / ‘Sliver’ / Where Did You Sleep Last Night/’ / ‘Pay to Play’ / ‘Here She Comes Now’ / ‘Drain You’ / ‘Aneurysm’ / ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ / ‘Breed’ / ‘Verse Chorus Verse’ / ‘Old Age’ / ‘Endless, Nameless’ / ‘Dumb’ / ‘D-7’ / ‘Oh, the Guilt’ / ‘Curmudgeon’ / ‘Return of the Rat’ / ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ / ‘Rape Me’ / ‘Rape Me’ / ‘Scentless Apprentice’ / ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ / ‘I Hate Myself and I Want to Die’ / ‘Milk It’ / ‘M.V.’ / ‘Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip’ / ‘The Other Improv’ / ‘Serve the Servants’ / ‘Very Ape’ / ‘Pennyroyal Tea’ / ‘Marigold’ / ‘Sappy’ / ‘Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam’ / ‘Do Re Mi’ / ‘You Know You’re Right’ / ‘All Apologies’

  Sliver: The Best of the Box (Geffen, 2005): ‘Spank Thru’ / ‘Heartbreaker’ / ‘Mrs Butterworth’ / ‘Floyd the Barber’ / ‘Clean Up Before She Comes’ / ‘About a Girl / ‘Blandest’ / ‘Ain’t It a Shame’ / ‘Sappy’ / ‘Opinion / ‘Lithium’ / ‘Sliver’ / ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ / ‘Come as You Are’ / ‘Old Age’ / ‘Oh, the Guilt’ / ‘Rape Me’ / ‘Rape Me’ / ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ / ‘Do Re Me’ / ‘You Know You’re Right’ / ‘All Apologies’