In the months leading up to April 1994, Nirvana was on an incredible ride. They were gaining massive fame and making history in alternative rock. But that month, everything changed. The death of Kurt Cobain hit drummer Dave Grohl hard. He and Cobain had grown close during Nirvana’s rise, and Grohl felt lost and heartbroken. Many thought he would disappear, but he surprised everyone by forming a new band: Foo Fighters.
So, how did Foo Fighters come to be? It all started with a demo tape Grohl created after Cobain’s death. Feeling emotionally raw, he turned to music as a way to cope. Instead of rushing into a new band, he took a few months to regroup. In October 1994, he booked six days at a Seattle studio. He recorded every part of the songs himself—guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. After finishing, he made 100 cassette tapes and handed them out to anyone interested. He named the project Foo Fighters and funded the recording himself, keeping it simple yet powerful.
Soon, record labels took notice, and Capitol Records offered Grohl a deal. But he knew he needed a full band to tour and succeed. He quickly recruited musicians to bring his songs to life. First, he invited bassist Nate Mendel from Sunny Day Real Estate. Grohl admired their work and left a note at one of their shows. He also brought in Pat Smear, who had played with Nirvana and had a punk rock background.
With Grohl on rhythm guitar and vocals, Foo Fighters officially had a lineup. Their chemistry was instant, and by late 1995, they were gaining traction. However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. After Grohl re-recorded the tracks for their second album, drummer William Goldsmith decided to leave.
