| Source | Quality | Complete | Runtime | Lowest Gen | Tracks Featured | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBD #1a | 10.0 | No | 0:07:18 | Official 7" (Love Buzz) | • Love Buzz • Big Cheese |
Love Buzz includes a 10-second sound collage not featured on other official release. |
| SBD #1b | 10.0 | No | 0:07:17 | Official CD (Bleach, SP34b first pressing) | • Love Buzz • Big Cheese |
Jack Endino remixes Love Buzz. |
| SBD #1c | 10.0 | No | 0:03:19 | Official CD (Various Artists - Sub Pop 200) | • Spank Thru | |
| SBD #1d | 7.0 | No | 0:07:02 | Unofficial CD (The Demos) |
• Blandest • Spank Thru |
Blandest features some post-song ambient noises not found on other sources. |
| SBD #1e | 7.5 | No | 0:02:57 | Unofficial CD (Reciprocal Studio Demos) | • Blew (experimental) | |
| SBD #1f | 9.0 | No | 0:13:14 | ANA(2)>DAT(1)>FLAC |
• Blandest • Mr. Moustache (experimental) • Sifting (instrumental) |
This source is sometimes referred to as the
Master reel compilation tape. |
| SBD #1g | 9.0 | No | 0:03:56 | Official CD (With The Lights Out) | • Blandest | Sourced from a band member's ANA cassette. Mastered by Bob Ludwig. |
| SBD #1h | 9.5 | No | 0:09:33 | ANA(2)>CDR(1)>FLAC |
• Mr. Moustache (experimental, alt. mix) • Sifting (instrumental, alt. mix) |
This source is sometimes referred to as Kurdt's Tape Side A. Mr. Moustache (experimental) and Sifting (instrumental) are thought to be different mixes to those found on other sources. |
| SBD #1i | 9.5 | No | 0:07:36 | ANA(2)>CDR(1)>FLAC | • Big Cheese • Love Buzz |
Mix tape made by Kurt, sometimes referred to as the Touch & Go demoor Kurdt's Kassette. Features studio banter between Big Cheese and Love Buzz which is not available on any other sources. |
The band, by this time called NIRVANA, returned to Reciprocal Recording to record their first single for Sub Pop; Endino was again chosen as producer.
Four sessions took place: June 11 [five hours - this was the main session], June 30 [five hours], July 16 [three hours - all mixed on this day], and September 27 [two hours - to mix Spank Thru for the Sub Pop 200 compilation]. (1)
Whilst the Dale
demo
session had been very straightforward and easy for
the band, this session turned out to be a lot more problematic. (20)
The session began with Blandest, which Cobain had considered a possible B-side. Channing had not long been shown the arrangement, and hadn't had the opportunity to learn or practice it prior to recording. (8) Unsurprisingly, the track did not turn out too well and the band opted to re-record it later (which they never did, because money for additional tapes was very tight at this point). (8) Blandest was followed by the first takes of Love Buzz, Big Cheese, early versions of Mr Moustache, an instrumental version of Sifting (using a wah wah pedal), and Blew. (54)
The band didn't want to spend another $50 on a reel of
tape,
Endino explains to fellow Seattleite, Gillian Gaar. They were like
(54)These takes suck, let's
record over them!
We did that routinely. I fitted new tracks over unwanted old
takes right in the middle of the reels if necessary.
So at the next session, a new version of Spank Thru (with Endino on backing vocals) was recorded over Blandest, later appearing on Sub Pop 200. A second take of Big Cheese was then recorded over the first take of Love Buzz. A second take of Love Buzz followed, plus a new version of Floyd The Barber, but the band quickly decided the latter wasn't worth saving, and proceeded to record an instrumental take of Love Buzz over it (1:26 minutes of Floyd The Barber remain on the master reels). (54)
Previously recorded songs survive thanks to cassette reference copies the band made. (54)
Jonathan Poneman of Sub Pop was unhappy with the vocals on the first mix of Love Buzz and asked that they be re-recorded, although Endino admits to being hard-pressed to discern any difference. (4) Take-two of Love Buzz, with Cobain's re-recorded vocal, is what eventually made the record. (54)
The 7" release of Love Buzz is a different mix to that on Bleach (which Sub Pop did deliberately to enhance collectibility). The 7" mix features a 10-second sound-collage intro (originally 45-seconds long, cut to 20 by Endino and then to 10 for single at Bruce Pavitt's request) and another sound-collage dubbed into the instrumental break. (8) The sound-collage is missing from the remixed album version, as Cobain neglected to bring the home-made tape with him to the studio. (8)
This sound-collage is known as the Montage of Heck
and is circulating in collectors'
circles. A complete description of the tape can be found on LiveNIRVANA.com.
(11) Indeed, part of the reason for the delay in recording Love Buzz was the
problem with adding the sound-collage to the mix. (20) Owing to the lack of
modern equipment at Reciprocal, the band had to press the play
button on the cassette player at the appropriate point during mixing to add the
collage. (20)
Cobain would later criticize Love Buzz as sounding too lightweight; telling
NIRVANA biographer, Michael Azerrad: We just
couldn't get a good sound out of it. It sounded really clean and just didn't
have any low end. I think it's the wimpiest recording we've ever done.
(4)