I have been interested in Nirvana bootlegs for years now. I have only recently became serious about collecting them and I have gathered a small number of them from various sources.

What is a bootleg? A bootleg is an unofficial cd release which usually contains a live performance from a band. Some bootlegs are compilations that contain TV appearances and radio recordings. Before the Internet made this kind of material easier to obtain, bootlegs were very popular with hardcore fans. Nirvana are one band that were around during the time when bootleg cds were at their peak and therefore have more bootleg albums in circulation than most bands in history.

I have recently aquired a very special Nirvana bootleg entitled: First Live Show which is exactly that, Nirvana’s first ever live show. The show itself was at a friend’s house party in 1987 and at the time the band were not even called Nirvana. The set list contains tracks from Bleach and Incesticide plus two Led Zeppelin covers: Heartbreaker and How Many More Times. The fact that a recording like this even exists is astonishing, especially as this was recorded long before current technology made recording and sharing easier. Considering the show was just recorded by someone at a house party in 1987, the sound quality is pretty good too. It is cds like this one that make’s collecting bootlegs worth while.

I have dedicated a page on this website to my Nirvana Bootleg Collection. This is mainly for me to keep track of them and to be able to share further details about them.
My Nirvana Bootleg page