And when I said I was looking for a replacement for Kurt, that's thirty-something me talking. I don't think I actually consciously felt that way at the time. But it was quite a jolt to have the singer of your favorite band kill himself, as I'm sure we all remember. Looking back, I think it definitely left a void that I — knowingly or unknowingly — tried to fill. I was starting to crave more eclectic and interesting sounds in the music I listened to, but I guess I also missed that sheer idiotic idolatry for a relatable, honest musician after Kurt's death, I think I grabbed a little bit from column A (NIN) and a little bit from column B (Beck) and kinda ... Let's see, how to put this... shoved them up my Kurt-hole.
Really, though, it worked for a time. Beck had just enough of that sardonic, intellectual freak with a guitar vibe, and Trent had just enough of that unbridled angst, and it worked.
It was until I started listening to Sonic Youth more (who ultimately filled the void permanently, giving me more than even Nirvana ever had) that I really got over Nirvana, if it can even be said that I have gotten over them to this day.
Also going to Modest Mouse shows changed things up. They were my little replacement Nirvana for a spell in my teens. Getting into the Replacements, the Pixies and Dino (first wave of '80s college radio bands I really fell for, not counting SY, since they weren't really *anything* "radio") helped as well, because all these bands had so much of what I loved about Nirvana going on, plus quite a bit more. They were also, y'know... still alive, and didn't act as a constant reminder of the loss of Kurt.
Of course, looking back, it's ridiculous that I placed so much faith and hope in a band, even after their singer committed suicide. But I was young, and young kids do stupid shit. Idolatry is lame.
But yeah, NIN.