Krist Novoselic facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Krist Novoselic
Novoselic in 2024
Born	Krist Anthony Novoselic (1965-05-16) May 16, 1965 (age 60) Compton, California, U.S.
Occupation	Musician activist
Political party	Forward (2023–2024) Cascade (2024)
Spouse(s)	Shelli Hyrkas ​ ​ (m. 1989; div. 1999)​ Darbury Stenderu ​ ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Grunge hard rock heavy metal alternative rock punk rock hardcore punk post-punk sludge metal cowpunk
Instruments	Bass guitar vocals guitar accordion

Krist Anthony Novoselic (born May 16, 1965) is an American musician and activist. He is best known as the bass player and co-founder of the famous rock band Nirvana.

Krist Novoselic and Kurt Cobain started Nirvana in 1987. They first had drummer Aaron Burckhard. Nirvana became a big part of the Seattle grunge music scene in the late 1980s. In 1989, the band released their first album, Bleach.

Nirvana's second album, Nevermind, came out in 1991. This album made the band famous worldwide. Their hit song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was a huge success. The band's third album, In Utero (1993), was also very popular. Krist Novoselic has been honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Nirvana. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award with the band.

After Nirvana ended, Novoselic formed other bands. He started Sweet 75 in 1995 and Eyes Adrift in 2002. He released one album with each band. From 2006 to 2009, he played in the punk rock band Flipper. In 2011, he played bass and accordion on the song "I Should Have Known" for the Foo Fighters' album Wasting Light. From 2017 to 2020, he played bass and accordion for the band Giants in the Trees.

Besides music, Novoselic is active in politics. From 2007 to 2010, he wrote about music and politics for the Seattle Weekly website. He has also served on the board of FairVote, an organization that works on electoral reform. In 2020, he became the board chair of Zócalo Public Square. He joined the Forward Party in 2023. In 2024, he started the Cascade Party of Washington.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Krist Anthony Novoselic was born in Compton, California, on May 16, 1965. His parents were Croatian immigrants. They moved to San Pedro, a Croatian neighborhood in Los Angeles. Krist's first language was Croatian. He has a younger brother, Robert, and a younger sister, Diana.

In 1979, his family moved to Aberdeen, Washington. This was because housing costs were very high in California. In 1980, his parents sent him to live with relatives in Zadar, Croatia, for a year. He returned to Aberdeen in 1981. One of his first music memories is listening to Chuck Berry with his dad.

Novoselic liked bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and The Who. He also enjoyed punk rock bands like the Sex Pistols and Ramones. He discovered these bands when he lived in Croatia. He has said that Paul McCartney and Geezer Butler influenced his bass playing.

Krist's brother, Robert, introduced him to his friend Kurt Cobain. Krist and Kurt became friends because they liked similar music. They both loved the local band Melvins. Cobain gave Novoselic a demo tape of his old band, Fecal Matter. He asked Krist to start a band together. After a few months, Novoselic listened to the tape and agreed. After high school, Novoselic worked as a painter.

Music Career

Forming Nirvana (1987–1994)

Krist Cobain and Krist Novoselic's first band together did not last long. They later learned that the band Melvins could earn $80 for one show. This inspired Cobain and Novoselic to start a Creedence Clearwater Revival cover band. Cobain played drums, and Novoselic sang and played guitar. This band also did not last long.

Later, Cobain and Novoselic met drummer Aaron Burckhard. This new group was the first version of Nirvana. Burckhard left after a few months. Melvins' drummer Dale Crover filled in for a short time. Then, Novoselic and Cobain met Chad Channing. The three recorded their first album, Bleach, released in 1989. Channing left in 1990. Crover and Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters briefly replaced him. Novoselic helped write many songs by giving ideas to Cobain.

In 1990, Melvins' singer Buzz Osborne told Novoselic and Cobain about a punk band called Scream. They were impressed by Scream's drummer, Dave Grohl. A few weeks later, Scream broke up. Grohl called Osborne for advice, and Osborne gave him Novoselic's phone number. Novoselic invited Grohl to Seattle. Grohl passed the audition and joined Nirvana. He was Nirvana's fifth and final drummer. Novoselic spent the next months with Nirvana looking for a record deal. They eventually signed with DGC Records.

In spring 1991, the band went to Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. They recorded Nevermind. Novoselic helped write the song "Polly". When Nevermind was released in 1991, it became a huge success worldwide. Nevermind made the band famous with their hit song "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

At the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, Nirvana won awards for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Nirvana performed "Lithium" at the show. When Novoselic started playing his bass, he could not hear it. He then threw his bass guitar high in the air. He missed catching it, saying he misjudged the height. He pretended to be knocked out. Musician Brian May helped him, but Krist was not hurt.

Novoselic (left) playing bass next to singer Cobain (right) in 1992

During Nirvana's 1992 Reading concert, Novoselic sang "The Money Will Roll Right In" with Cobain. Novoselic sometimes sang lead or backing vocals in Nirvana. He occasionally sang "Scoff" at live shows. He said he found his voice and got better at singing over time.

In September 1993, Nirvana's third album, In Utero, reached number one on the Billboard 200. The band members felt some songs did not sound perfect. They also thought Novoselic's bass lines sounded too low. In Utero sold 3.5 million copies in the United States. In November of that year, Nirvana performed on MTV Unplugged. Lori Goldston played cello, and Pat Smear joined on guitar. Novoselic played acoustic bass guitar, accordion, and acoustic rhythm guitar. This live show was released as an album, MTV Unplugged in New York. It won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance.

Before their 1994 European tour, the band planned to record demos in Seattle. Cobain was absent for most of the three-day session. So, Novoselic and Grohl worked on their own songs. They finished several songs, including "Exhausted" and "Big Me". On the third day, Cobain arrived. The song "You Know You're Right" was the band's last studio recording.

Nirvana suddenly ended in April 1994 after Kurt Cobain's death. For the rest of that year, Novoselic stayed out of the public eye. One of his few public appearances was at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards in September. The video for Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box" won Best Alternative Video. Novoselic used this chance to honor Cobain.

After Nirvana ended, Novoselic helped finish the With the Lights Out box set. He also worked on the From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah album. He also pushed for a 20th anniversary album for Nevermind.

Post-Nirvana Projects (1995–Present)

After Cobain's death, Novoselic continued to make music. In 1995, he formed the band Sweet 75 with Yva Las Vegass. They released one album in 1997. In 1996, Novoselic joined singer Johnny Cash, guitarist Kim Thayil of Soundgarden, and drummer Sean Kinney of Alice in Chains. They recorded a cover of "Time of the Preacher" for a tribute album. In 1998, Novoselic directed his first movie, L7: The Beauty Process. This was a fake documentary with concert footage. In 1999, he joined Jello Biafra and Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil in the No WTO Combo.

Novoselic in 2007

In 2002, Novoselic sang uncredited backing vocals on the Foo Fighters' song "Walking a Line." This song was a tribute to Cobain. It was included on a special DVD with the One by One album. He then formed Eyes Adrift with Meat Puppets singer Curt Kirkwood and Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh. In Australia, they called the band "Bud, Curt & Krist" because another group had the name "Eyes Adrift." Eyes Adrift released a self-titled album with twelve songs. Novoselic sang lead vocals on some songs, like "Inquiring Minds." He also helped write many songs. The group toured mostly in the United States and broke up in 2003.

After Eyes Adrift, Novoselic said he was leaving the music business. He did not like the process of promoting new records. However, in 2005, he started working on music for a possible solo album. He said, "Right now, I'm just doing it for myself."

In November 2006, it was announced that Novoselic would join Flipper as their new bass player. He toured the United Kingdom and Ireland with them. He was a full member and worked on their new album. On September 22, 2008, Novoselic announced he was leaving the band due to family reasons. The band canceled the rest of their tour.

In 2009, Novoselic played a newspaper seller in the movie World's Greatest Dad, starring Robin Williams. In October 2010, Dave Grohl, his former Nirvana bandmate, announced that Novoselic would join Foo Fighters. He played bass and accordion on their album Wasting Light, released in 2011. Novoselic also played bass on children's music artist Caspar Babypants' 2010 album This Is Fun!. He played on a cover of the Nirvana song "Sliver". In 2011, he performed "On a Plain" and "Sliver" with the band at the Nevermind 20th anniversary party in Seattle.

Novoselic performing in 2011

In 2012, Novoselic and Grohl worked with Paul McCartney on the song "Cut Me Some Slack". This song was made for the soundtrack of the documentary Sound City, directed by Grohl. The song was first played on December 12, 2012, at the 12-12-12 festival. This concert raised money for victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York. Critics liked the song. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2014. Novoselic called this partnership "Sirvana", referring to "Sir Paul McCartney".

On April 17, 2016, Novoselic performed "Helter Skelter" with Paul McCartney in Seattle. In November 2016, Novoselic said he was writing new music. His current band is Giants in the Trees, formed in 2017. The band members are Jillian Raye, Erik Friend, and Ray Prestegard. He is also in the band Filthy Friends, playing bass and accordion. He also works with author Robert Michael Pyle on a music project called Butterfly Launches from Spar Pole. In July 2017, Giants in the Trees released their first song, "Sasquatch." Novoselic joked that its music video cost over $2 million to make. Giants in the Trees' first album came out in late 2017. Their second album, Volume 2, was released in 2019.

Novoselic is currently working with musicians like Soundgarden's Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron. They formed a new band called 3rd Secret. Their self-titled album was released in April 2022. It has eleven songs recorded at The Bait Shop in Ballard, Washington, and at Novoselic's home.

Playing with Foo Fighters

In 1994, Dave Grohl started a new band, Foo Fighters. Grohl and his bandmates decided not to ask Novoselic to join. Grohl said it would have felt natural to work together again. However, it might have been uncomfortable for the other band members. It also would have put more pressure on Grohl.

During a Foo Fighters concert on August 29, 1997, Novoselic played bass on covers of "Purple Rain" and "Communication Breakdown". In January 2002, Novoselic sang backing vocals for a Foo Fighters song called "Walking a Line." This song was later released on a special edition of their album One by One.

On December 22, 2010, Novoselic joined Foo Fighters on stage. Grohl played drums, and Pat Smear played guitar. They performed Nirvana's "Marigold". This was a song Grohl wrote in 1992. Novoselic also recorded bass and accordion for the song "I Should Have Known" on Foo Fighters' album Wasting Light.

On December 5, 2017, Novoselic joined Foo Fighters on stage in Eugene, Oregon. He played bass guitar on "Big Me", a song from the Foo Fighters' first album. On October 6, 2018, Novoselic joined the band again. They played several Nirvana songs. Grohl was on drums, Pat Smear on guitar, and John J. McCauley and Joan Jett sang lead.

Political and Social Work

Novoselic in 2008

Novoselic became interested in politics at a young age. This included the conflict in Northern Ireland between Irish Nationalists and Unionists.

In the 1990s, Novoselic and Nirvana actively worked against a bill in Washington State. This bill would have allowed minors to be arrested for attending concerts where alcohol was served. Novoselic and Nirvana performed a benefit concert for an organization that opposed the bill. Novoselic also appeared on TV to speak against it.

Novoselic noted that the music industry had a lot of influence in Seattle. He suggested creating a political action committee called JAMPAC. Over the next few years, JAMPAC fought against various issues. One was the Teen Dance Ordinance, a 1985 law that made it hard for minors to go to shows. Through JAMPAC, Novoselic focused more on politics.

Novoselic supports electoral reform. This includes instant-runoff voting and proportional representation. He thought about running for Lieutenant Governor of Washington in 2004. He decided not to run. He joined the board of FairVote and became its chair in 2008. In 2020, Novoselic became board chair of Zócalo Public Square.

Novoselic's first book, Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy, was published in October 2004. It talks about his music past, including Nirvana's fame.

Novoselic giving a speech in 2009

Novoselic supported Democratic Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential elections. He later left the Democratic Party. He said it was a "top-down structure" that did not like change from its members.

In 2009, Novoselic ran for county clerk of Wahkiakum County, Washington. He later withdrew his candidacy. He ran as a candidate of the "Grange Party," which is not a real political party. His campaign was a protest against Washington State's party system. In this system, a candidate can claim any party name without the party's support. Novoselic explained his support for fair voting reforms on C-SPAN in 2012.

Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic points at a mural showcasing Nirvana in downtown Aberdeen in 2014.

In an interview, Novoselic was asked about his political views. He said, "I'm an anarcho-capitalist, socialist, moderate... I don't know." He said his views could not be easily put into one category. He finds problems with both left and right-wing political ideas. In 2015, he supported Lawrence Lessig's presidential campaign. In 2016, Novoselic supported and campaigned for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

In June 2020, Novoselic made a Facebook post about President Donald Trump's speech. He called Trump "strong and direct" but added that he "should not be sending troops into states." After criticism, Novoselic made his Facebook page private and deleted his Twitter account. He later clarified: "As an independent, I don't support a major party or candidate. And it feels crazy to have to say this, but I don't support fascism, and I don't support an authoritarian state. I believe in a civilized society."

On May 22, 2023, the Forward Party announced that Novoselic joined their board.

In 2024, Novoselic founded the Cascade Party of Washington, a small political party. To become a political party, he announced a campaign for president in the 2024 United States presidential election. His goal was to get 1,000 signatures. On August 24, 2024, he got the needed votes and then dropped out of the race.

Other Activities

In 2004, Novoselic published his book Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy!.

In November 2007, Novoselic started writing blogs for the Seattle Weekly website. He stopped writing for them in September 2010.

Novoselic has been a DJ many times for Coast radio on KMUN.

In 2014, before Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Novoselic and Dave Grohl appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Novoselic also has a blog called Dream Journal.

Personal Life

In 1989, Novoselic married Shelli Hyrkas, his high school girlfriend. They divorced in 1999. In early 2004, he married American artist Darbury Ayn Stenderu. They have two children. They live on a farm near Deep River, Washington. They grow their own food there. Novoselic said, "I live out in the country now and it's quiet and it's a place where I can think a lot."

Novoselic is an FAA-licensed pilot. He passed his flight test in April 2002. He also earned a multi-engine pilot certificate in February 2018. He is very interested in animals, geology, nature, and other sciences.

In 2016, Novoselic earned a BSc degree in social sciences from Washington State University.

Discography

With Nirvana

• Bleach (1989)
• Nevermind (1991)
• In Utero (1993)

With Sweet 75

• Sweet 75 (1997)

With the No WTO Combo

• Live from the Battle in Seattle (2000)

With Eyes Adrift

• Eyes Adrift (2002)

With Flipper

• Love (2009)
• Fight (2009)

With Filthy Friends

• Invitation (2017)

With Giants in the Trees

• Giants in the Trees (2017)
• Volume 2 (2019)

With Butterfly Launches From Spar Pole

• Butterfly Launches From Spar Pole (2019)

With 3rd Secret

• 3rd Secret (2022)
• 2nd 3rd Secret (2023)

Collaborations

See Also

In Spanish: Krist Novoselic para niños