Sub Pop Records

Lore & Background

In late 1988, Sub Pop signed Nirvana after they released their first single, "Love Buzz," in November. The band began recording their debut album, Bleach, with producer Jack Endino shortly thereafter. Jason Everman supplied the $606.17 needed for these sessions and was brought into the band as a second guitarist to feel more at home, though he did not play on the record. Before Bleach hit stores in June 1989, Nirvana secured a historic spot as the first band to sign an extended contract with Sub Pop. The album became a staple for college radio stations and sold 40,000 copies initially. Despite this steady sales performance, Cobain grew upset with how Sub Pop handled promotion and distribution compared to their other releases.

In Their Own Story

The recording sessions for Bleach took place in late 1988 under the guidance of local producer Jack Endino. The funds for these sessions, exactly $606.17 as noted on the album sleeve, came directly from bassist Krist Novoselic's friend, Jason Everman. Although Everman did not perform on the tracks, he received a credit because the band wanted him to feel integrated. Prior to the June 1989 release of Bleach, Nirvana finalized their status as the first group to sign an extended contract with Sub Pop. When the album arrived, it found a home on college radio and moved 40,000 copies without heavy marketing. However, by late 1989, Cobain's dissatisfaction with the label's limited promotional efforts and distribution reach began to mount, setting the stage for their eventual move to a major distributor.

Reader's Guide

Sub Pop Records provided the platform for Nirvana's earliest releases, starting with the November 1988 single "Love Buzz". The label supported the recording of Bleach in late 1988, funded by $606.17 from Jason Everman. This partnership marked a significant milestone when Nirvana became the first band to sign an extended contract with Sub Pop before Bleach's June 1989 release. While the album generated 40,000 initial sales and strong college radio play, the label's lack of aggressive promotion frustrated Kurt Cobain. By late 1989, these limitations in distribution and marketing pushed the band to seek a deal with a major record label, as no indie label could buy them out of their existing contract.

Did You Know?

• Nirvana became the first band to sign an extended contract with Sub Pop prior to releasing their debut album.
• The recording sessions for Bleach cost exactly $606.17, a figure supplied by Jason Everman.
• Bleach sold 40,000 copies initially and became a favorite of college radio stations despite limited promotion from Sub Pop.