U.K. SPINS

When Nirvana (U.K.) announced that they were taking action against Nirvana (U.S.) over the use of the name, back in 1992, a lot of people — the latter’s own Kurt Cobain among them — admitted that they’d never even heard of the British concern.

It was, after all, 20 years since a new album bearing their name had appeared (1972’s Songs of Love and Praise) and seven years since the Black Flower compilation added a handful of new (1985) recordings to the brew. The idea that anyone might inadvertently pick up a copy of Nevermind in the belief that it was the latest by the makers of The Story of Simon Simopath felt fanciful, to say the least.

But a settlement was reached, and Nirvana’s name was finally in a spotlight that, in truth, had steadfastly avoided them for much of their career. A minor can prize from Vertigo swirl collectors is the jewel in their record collector crown.