“It’s spiritual…emotional”: Dave Grohl on his Nirvana reunion with Krist Novoselic

Dave Grohl has opened up about the emotional Nirvana reunion with former bandmates Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear.

In a Kerrang! exclusive cover story, the ex-Nirvana drummer said that playing ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ together for only the second time in more than two decades was an overwhelming experience.

Grohl, ex-Nirvana bassist Novoselic and former touring guitarist Pat Smear, who plays with Grohl in the Foo Fighters, played a reunion show at Cal Jam in San Bernardino last week.

• Read more: The Story Of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ – How Nirvana’s Breakout Hit Began A Youth Revolution

The Foos frontman described how it felt to run through songs for the first time since Nirvana’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014.

“When Pat, Krist and I sat down to go through those songs in a small rehearsal room with concrete walls, it fuckin’ sounded like Nirvana,” he told Kerrang!

“It was like being shot into outer space,” he said. “Being able to play that drum fill and break into the chorus…it’s spiritual, physical, emotional.”

He continued: “We would look at each other and smile, but the emotions would kind of go in waves, because there was someone missing – and you wish that you could still share those songs with Kurt.”

Novoselic said that he was “beaming” during the performance of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’

“I will cherish that moment for a long time because it was pretty special,” he said.

Nirvana reunion setlist at Cal Jam:

‘Serve The Servants’ (with John McCauley)
‘Scentless Apprentice’ (with John McCauley)
‘In Bloom’ (with John McCauley)
‘Breed’ (with Joan Jett)
‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ (with Joan Jett)
‘All Apologies’ (with Joan Jett and Brody Dalle)