nirvana.jpg2002: October 29
Nirvana retrospective is released
Following a protracted legal battle between Kurt Cobain’s widow and the remaining members of Nirvana over the band’s last, unreleased studio song (”You Know You’re Right”) and Nirvana’s catalog in general, Nirvana attaches the new song to a collection of hits and favorites. Opening with “You Know You’re Right” (which sadly showcases the band’s not-yet-fulfilled potential), the album chronicles a brief career that soared with Nevermind and ended abruptly following the recording of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged episode.

1979: October 31
The Rocket’s first edition appears in Seattle
Published as a music-beat complement to the Seattle Sun, The Rocket hits Seattle streets on Halloween. In its first issue, editor Robert Ferrigno writes, “We believe the local music scene to be vibrating with life, multi-faceted and responsive to a wide range of audiences. We will cover national acts like The Cars, but remain committed to supporting local music.” The publication does just that for twenty years, changing editorial and managerial hands, increasing its circulation and doubling its market (in Portland), but always focusing on music made in the Northwest.

1991: October 31
Mudhoney, Nirvana play the Paramount
One month following the release of Nirvana’s Nevermind, the band’s local following is already rabid and growing; the Halloween show, planned for the Moore Theatre, is moved to the Paramount due to demand to see the band. The pairing with supporter Mudhoney (whose Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge was issued that summer) and opener Bikini Kill draws 3000 fans to the show. Nirvana tears through 20 songs, opening with the tame cover, “Jesus Don’t Want me for a Sunbeam,” and closing with the rioutous “Endless, Nameless.” Much of Bleach and Nevermind come in between, as does an early version of In Utero’s “Rape Me.”

2001: October 31
The Murder City Devils play final show
After a prolific run of five years—many singles, three full-lengths, tours with Built to Spill, Pearl Jam, etc.—the rough-rocking Murder City Devils call it a day. (Keyboardist Leslie Hardy leaves the band prior to the decision, and bassist Derek Fudesco announces his departure before the Devils does its own.) Less than two months after issuing the Thelema EP, their final studio record, and after many more months on the road, the Murder City Devils assemble in Seattle for their last show on Halloween. The Showbox-hosted, alcohol-fueled set is released on CD in 2003 (R.I.P.) and on DVD in 2005 (The End). The Devils reunite for a closing set at the 2006 Capitol Hill Block Party, and future performances may be in the cards.

2002: October 31
Supergroup Eyes Adrift plays the Graceland
A week after their self-titled debut album is released, Eyes Adrift—a trio formed by Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, the Meat Puppets’ Curt Kirkwood and Sublime’s Bud Gaugh—plays Seattle for the second and last time. With Novoselic on bass, Kirkwood playing guitar and singing, and Gaugh on drums, the band produces an intriguing sound, clearly influenced by each members’ musical past. After their Graceland stop, Eyes Adrift tours into early December; the band breaks up following their record’s poor performance.

Happy B-day: PUSA’s Jason Finn (October 27)

*During its grunge days, “Seattle” was anywhere from Aberdeen to Ellensburg. That’s our measurement.