Molly's Lips 7" and Bleach LP

Most of the time it is really hard to find any Nirvana vinyls at physical record stores. Not only are half the Mom and Pop stores closed, but most just carry reissues anyways. But in 2005 I had the privilege to tour throughout the US for Dogme 95 and stopped through Athens, GA. I was going to record in Athens anyway and asked a friend of mine Helen, where some good record stores were. I knew of Schoolkids and a few other indie shops. But I was lucky to find a podunk shop in an old trailer. I don't remember the name of the actual store, but I literally just pulled over randomly.

When I walked in there was all vinyl and I shopped a bit on my own. I ran through some nice copies of Echo & the Bunnymen, Pavement and other records. But as I went up to the counter, I asked the guy "Do you by chance have any Nirvana records?" He says I think so and pulls out a bin of seven inches. I'm thinking that's cool... it will probably be a Sliver 7" or something. Turns out it was the Nirvana/Fluid split, "Molly's Lips (live)/Candy". I had actually never seen the record and noticed it was on marble green vinyl. I was ready to pick this up.

Then the guy pulls out a random copy of Bleach. And he says he's had a few original copies for years. This was a total score... turns out it was a second pressing on black vinyl. I've compared it to like copies and it holds up with the K Disc engraving and everything. It goes down as the two best random finds for me.

He said he would sell both records for $70. It didn't matter, I really wanted both records anyways. Turns out it was a great score! Most of the "Molly's Lips" records go for $55-$100 depending on the seller. And their was only 2000 copies of the 2nd pressing of Bleach. It goes for $100 or more... All in all it was the highlight of my tour!

BTW the "Molly's Lips" live version is from the Pine Street Theater in Portland, OR circa Spring 1990. This release came out on the Sub Pop Singles Club, January 1991 (SP-97). It is limited to about 4,000 green copies and 3,500 black copies. Careful of some black versions they have been known to counterfeit.

More finds to come...
Nick

vvoicesmusic@gmail.com

In Utero LP, Picture Disc and Albini Mix

In Utero is easily my favorite Nirvana record. I have always been a fan of melodic noise and this record really has it all. The vinyl is very common and I would like to share my experience in acquiring this wonderful record and breaking down it's many formats and versions.

First off, this was my very first Nirvana vinyl. I hunted it down by calling numerous record stores throughout the Dallas metroplex. I basically called asking the retailers if they carried Nirvana records. All of them said yes... so I was ready to pounce. Then I realized I needed to be very specific and say either vinyl or LP. Then my search started to dry up. This was the summer of 1994. And In Utero had been out for over 6 months and Kurt had just passed. So not only was I behind the ball on this one, but most the stores in Dallas only carried CD's or Import Bootlegs. No vinyl.

Luckily I found a small mom and pop store that carried a few pieces of vinyl. I spoke to the own and he said he actually had a few Nirvana "records". So my friend Michael and I halled over their with his mom to purchase something... we were only 14. Sure enough the owner had a few records. Well In Utero was the only one I purchased. I can't remember if he had Bleach or Nevermind. But I was all about the In Utero release. It was the import version from Holland. I remember the sticker and everything. It was black vinyl and it was officially the first vinyl LP I ever bought. Great score!

Fast forward to a few years ago. Maybe 2004. I really start picking up my collecting again... I was working for a record label and it really spawned my interests in vinyl again. CD's are pretty much dead and downloading is the hot thing. During this year I toured a bit for my own project Dogme 95 (just a small solo thing). But this did take me across the USA twice and the UK once. Loads of down time to shop for records.

While I was in New York I stopped at a record store on Bleeker Street and found an interesting version of In Utero. It was the "10th Anniversary Picture Disc". I was most excited about seeing the bonus track listed on the vinyl. "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flowing Through the Strip." I had heard the song before, but had no idea it was released on vinyl at the time. Unfortunately, I realized this was a bit of a scam... because the picture disc does not include the track. But the disc is nice and I believe it was made in Mexico. I paid $19.99.

Fast forward to the end of last year, I start reading more and more about the legendary "Albini Mix" of In Utero. Supposedly "Heart Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" were pulled from a different master during a German repressing in 2003. I dig around online to find a few people selling this mix. It was a risky purchase because I thought there was no way just two songs fell under a different mix from the rest of the record. Anyways I scored one for around $50 on ebay and waited to hear it.

Once I got the vinyl in the mail. I rushed to open it. I started the record at the beginning and it sounded the same as the original release. But then as it played out to "Heart Shaped Box" the sound changed drastically. It is still the same song. But the guitar's volume starts out lower and the drums have a very "live room" sound. It actually sounds entirely live with very little over dubs. Hence the Albini Mix. The most exciting part is the solo... it rips and the tremolo distortion sounds amazing! I was happy. Then I progressed to the end of the record to "All Apologies". This version is still different but not quite so drastic. The most noticeable changes come towards the end... "the all in all is all we are part". The noisy guitar is nasty and the cello is louder and warmer. Granted this is just a different mix, but it is kind of nerdy difference. Much like finding old Beatles albums in Mono.

I hope you enjoy In Utero as much as I do. And feel free to ask any questions in regards to these releases. This record also comes in Clear vinyl as well. You should pay anywhere between $20-50 for this release.

Enjoy!

Nick

vvoicesmusic@gmail.com

Sliver/Dive 7"

The Sliver/Dive 7" is probably the most common single for any Nirvana fan to own. It is still in print, granted it's on like its 4+ pressing. But you can still buy it from Sub Pop last I checked. It goes for around $4.99.

Honestly this was my 2nd Nirvana vinyl to own. I thought it was such a great steal at the time. But with further research over the years. It is easy to tell a normal black 45 pressing of this record is easy to find. The real gems in regards to this 7" are the colored pressings. I find that the gatefold olive green version of this single tends to be the rarest. It is also the only 7" version that comes with "About a Girl" live track. I have seen prices for these range anywhere between $55-$125. The erika releases of this single offer various colors such as blue, grey, yellow, white and peach. These colored releases range anywhere from $25 - $250.

Finally the 12" version of this release comes in black and blue. I believe the black vinyl is the original pressing from the UK. And the blue vinyl is the 2nd pressing from the UK. Both versions contain the live version of "About of Girl". Most versions of this 12" go for around $20-50.

Both "Sliver" and "Dive" appeared on Incesticide, but any version of this record is a necessary one. Ultimately this was the first major single to push Nirvana onto the radar of the British press post the release of Bleach.

Enjoy!

In search of a Love Buzz...

Well it has been about 15 years since my Nirvana collection started... I've been a fan ever since a close friend of mine in middle school played me Nevermind. I honestly was not "head over heels" for Nirvana until I started to play guitar in 1994. I longed to play their songs and collect their music. At the time, it was all about finding their CDs, which includes all major releases and numerous imports or "bootlegs" of the day.

The main items of rarity during my junior high days were the Outscesticide series and import singles from the main releases. Now that I have grown into a major collector of all Nirvana items past, present and future. I decided to start this blog to document my personal collections, rare finds and the ongoing value/worth of various vinyl records. Mainly devoted to LPs, 12"s and 7"s.

Not only does the music reign valuable to me, but the hunt of a great find brings a wonderful level of satisfaction. My goal with this blog is to compile my current collection and offer information on rare items and ways of discovering new gems. Also obtaining an official Love Buzz 7" for my collection would be a dream come true.

Enjoy and feel free to ask any questions or blog along.
Nick

Ebay ID: 2012memories
Email: vvoicesmusic@gmail.com