Jason Everman
The bassist who paid for Nirvana's debut album before trading rock stardom for Ranger duty.
Jason Everman is an American musician and soldier born on October 16, 1967, best known for his brief but pivotal role in Nirvana. In early 1989, he joined the band as a bassist, appearing on the cover of their debut album, Bleach. Although he did not play on the recordings, Kurt Cobain listed him to thank him for paying the $606.17 recording fee. Everman toured with Nirvana in the summer of 1989, playing bass, and can be heard on live bootlegs, most famously during a Boston show where Cobain's guitar broke. His time in the band ended when they let him go after the tour due to musical and personal fit, marking a sharp transition from grunge iconography to military service.
- Role
- Bassist
- Affiliation
- Nirvana (Former)
- Tenure
- 1989
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Everman's musical journey began in therapy sessions where he first picked up a guitar to help him open up emotionally, following an incident where he and a friend blew up a toilet with an M-80 firecracker. Before Nirvana, he played in the local band Stonecrow with future drummer Chad Channing. His time with Nirvana included specific moments like playing bass during a Boston show when Cobain broke his instrument. He later joined Soundgarden as a temporary bassist for their 1989 tour, but the commonly cited reason for his departure was musical and personal fit; he did not play on the single 'Loud Love', which was recorded by Hiro Yamamoto. He subsequently played bass for OLD and guitar for Mind Funk before leaving the music scene entirely.
In Their Own Story
In September 1994, influenced by Renaissance icon Benvenuto Cellini's idea that a well-rounded man is an artist, warrior, and philosopher, Everman left Mind Funk to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, Delta Company, and later as a Green Beret, completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. After his service, he lived in New York City working as a bike messenger and traveled to Tibet to study in a Buddhist monastery. In September 2010, he gave an interview to Music Life Radio describing Motörhead as "Good go-to-war music." He earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Columbia University on May 20, 2013, with a recommendation letter from General Stanley A. McChrystal, followed by a Master's in Military History from Norwich University in 2017.
Reader's Guide
Everman joined Nirvana specifically as a second guitarist in February 1989. He is credited on Bleach but did not perform on the album; his name remained on the cover of the 2009 remastered edition with special thanks in the booklet, though he was removed from the official track credits. His live contributions are documented on the unofficial Boston release and the Rhino Records video from June 1989. After leaving Nirvana due to moodiness, he immediately joined Soundgarden as a bassist, playing on the Loudest Love EP and appearing in their Louder Than Live home video before being fired for personality clashes. He then played bass with OLD (Old Lady Drivers) starting in mid-1990 and guitar with Mind Funk in 1993. In May 2017, he co-founded the veteran band Silence & Light, releasing Volume One in December 2019 and Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda… in 2023, with profits dedicated to military communities.
Did You Know?
- Everman paid $606.17 to record Nirvana's Bleach album, earning him a credit despite not playing on the tracks.
- He started playing guitar during therapy sessions after blowing up a toilet with an M-80 firecracker.
- He served as both an Army Ranger and a Green Beret, completing tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- In 2013, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Columbia University with a recommendation from General Stanley A. McChrystal.
- His band Silence & Light released their debut album in December 2019, dedicating all profits to the Special Operations Community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jason Everman?
He was an American musician born in 1967 who briefly served as a guitarist and bassist for Nirvana before leaving the music industry. After his time with the band, he joined the military and became known as a soldier rather than a rock star.
What role did Jason Everman play in Nirvana?
He joined in February 1989 as a second guitarist and toured with them during the summer of that year. Although credited on their debut album, he actually played bass and rhythm guitar only during live performances when needed.
Why is Jason Everman credited on Bleach?
Kurt Cobain thanked him in the liner notes for contributing $606.17 to cover the recording costs of the album. He also appears on the record's cover photo, which helped secure his place in the band's official history despite not playing on the tracks.
Can you hear Jason Everman playing on Nirvana recordings?
His guitar and bass work is absent from all official studio albums but can be heard on live bootlegs from 1989. These recordings often feature him stepping in when Kurt Cobain's equipment broke during a concert.
How does Jason Everman's story end?
He was fired by the band after their summer tour due to moodiness and conflicts regarding his commitment levels. Following this departure, he traded rock stardom for Ranger duty and served in the Army for many years.
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