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Lead singer of the Melvin’s Buzz Osbourne introduced band members: Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl to each other which would later form into Nirvana. Most Grunge bands of the time would give credit to the Melvins as defining the sound of the era. With their blend of sludgy riffs and Punk Rock lyrics, they pioneered the sound of the Grunge genre. This can be heard all over Nirvana’s first album Bleach (1989). Dale Crover played the drums on a few of Nirvana’s tracks and was their main drummer in the early years of the band. Laying the foundation for some of the fills that Dave Grohl would play later on. (Narayan, 2021)

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Sonic Youth is another band that influenced Nirvana. Not as musically prominent as the Pixies or Melvins but more towards the stardom they were soon to face. Being an Alternative Indie band who signed to DGC Records without compromising their sound, Nirvana sought to do the same and signed with the label in 1991. After opening for Sonic Youth for 7 shows in 1990, they became a band Nirvana got close to personally but also a band they looked up to. Sonic Youth Introduced them to the customs of working under a major label and the preparation for being one of the biggest bands in the 90’s. (Nsoulsby, 2012)

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Nirvana has referenced the Pixies as one of their core influences. This is displayed on their hit single Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991). Which was inspired by the Pixies debut album Surfer Rosa (1988). Pixies pioneered the Loud to Quiet Dynamic and their experimental sound is evident in songs like Gigantic and Where is my Mind?. Talking on the success of Smells Like Teen Spirit Kurt Cobain said, “I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies” (Rolling Stone, 1994)

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I have listened to The Beatles throughout my whole life, and they have subconsciously influenced the lyrics I write. Gaining and losing love is a prominent topic in their songs and is a topic I write about also. Being rated as Rollings stones “9th greatest bass player of all time” (Rolling Stone, 2020), Paul McCartney has shown me a different approach to the instrument. He breaks boundaries creating counter melodies that stray away from the root note approach. Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (The Beatles, 1967) is an early attempt at a concept album (Krerowics, 2013). A concept album is something I aspire to create one day.

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Smashing Pumpkins is my newest influence, with their many layered guitar tracks, unique guitar style and Shoegaze/Atmospheric vibe to their music. On songs like Soma and Hummer (1992) they had close to 40 guitar tracks with 8-10 Per section – (Butch Vig, 2009). Lead songwriter, Billy Corgan’s use of octave chords instead of regular power chords that descend on top of an ascending bass line is something I have taken inspiration of. Their use of Drum Loops in a song like Ava Adore (1998) or 1979 (1995) is a technique I’d love to include in my own songs.

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George Martin was the Studio Producer for The Beatles for almost a decade. Using his connections at EMI to use the latest technologies of the time, George Martin employed and pioneered many techniques that producers today take for granted. Arguably declared “The 5th Beatle” by most fans, George Martin translated The Beatle’s Ideas into something practical. Examples of this are in the Avant-Garde style music period from 1965-1968. Employing Indian Instruments into tracks like Norwegian Wood (1965) and Within and Without you (1967). His use of strings in songs like Yesterday (1965) and Eleanor Rigby (1966) were rare to come by in the Pop/Rock Scene. (Krerowics, 2013).

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When introducing Chuck Berry on The Mike Douglas Show in 1972, John Lennon said, "If you had to give Rock 'n' Roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry." Chuck Berry being one of the pioneers of rock and roll, would shape how The Beatles performed and wrote their music throughout the 10 years they were together. They also covered at least 15 Chuck Berry songs in their years of performing. The opening guitar to Revolution (1968) was inspired by the opening lick to Johnny B Goode (1959) with the guitar leading both tracks to introduce the other instruments after the 4th bar. (Krerowics, 2014).

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When Elvis Presley burst onto the rock and roll scene, he would influence many to come after him including The Beatles. His Teddy-Boy style, Rock and Roll attitude and diversion from the mainstream music scene laid the foundation for the early “Beat Music” in Liverpool. As cited by Paul McCartney (Anthology, p.28), Elvis was an influence for The Beatles first original recording, "In Spite of all the Danger", which McCartney described as "a self-penned little song very influenced by Elvis" (Krerowics, 2014).

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The Smashing Pumpkins Shoegaze sound was heavily inspired by My Bloody Valentine. Billy Corgan stated that, the song Daydream off their debut album Gish (1991) was influenced by My Bloody Valentine (Triscari, C. 2021). This is further evident in each other’s vocal styles. The “nasally” and falsetto style of vocals are common between the two. In context of the song Lose My Breath (1988), the rhythm guitars sound very similar with more open chord styles and heavy layering. The basslines have lots of similarities, being very prominent in the mix and holding the rhythm almost as much as the drums do.

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There’s no doubt that the experimental side of The Smashing Pumpkins was influenced by ELO (Electro Light Orchestra). Their album Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness (1995) has many rock-style tracks with strong string arrangements tied to them. Take Tonight-Tonight (1995) as an example. As stated by (Billy Corgan, 1997), The strings in this song were recorded by a 30-piece Orchestra, which doesn’t stray too far from the instruments that made ELO so distinct. Undoubtably ELOs contrast of theatrical style of music, catchy melodies, strings and synths are just another piece that makes the sound of The Smashing Pumpkins.

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Black Sabbath’s guitar tone was a sound Billy Corgan said he had been “Chasing his entire career” and influenced his choice of guitar amp. (Dunworth, 2022). Listening to their hit song Paranoid (1970), you can hear the early fuzz tone which was a staple all over The Smashing Pumpkin’s discography. The guitar riffs Black Sabbath guitarist Toni Iommi created, was a precursor to the Metal genre. You can hear the use of alternate picking, high distortion/fuzz and melodic guitar solos. Where boys fear to Tread, An Ode To No One (1995) and The Everlasting Gaze (2000) are prime examples of this influence.

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Nirvana’s Quiet to Loud Dynamic has influenced the way I create structure in my own songs. Nirvana have shown outspoken support for feminism and antibigotry messages which is something I have implemented into my own song writing. I have gained more knowledge on both feminism and antibigotry messages through their music. A great example is in the liner notes of their compilation album Incesticide (1992). “At this point I have a request for our fans.  If any of you in any way hate homosexuals, people of different color, or women, please do this one favor for us -- leave us the fuck alone! Don't come to our shows and don't buy our records.” (Kurt Cobain, 1992).