Dave Grohl on the "dysfunction" of Nirvana: “Was I as close to Kurt as I am to Taylor Hawkins? No”

Dave Grohl has spoken about the “dysfunctional” relationship that existed within Nirvana between himself, Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic.
In a recent interview with The Big Issue ahead of Foo Fighters’ new album, Medicine at Midnight, the former Nirvana drummer described the trio as a “match made in heaven”, adding "but personally it was a bit off, to be honest".
Grohl - whose signature DW snare drum was recently announced - continues, “Of course we loved each other. We were friends, but, you know, there was a dysfunction in Nirvana that a band like Foo Fighters doesn’t have. You also have to realise, from the time I joined Nirvana to the time it was over was only about four years. It wasn’t a long period of time. Was I as close to Kurt, as I am to Taylor Hawkins? No.”
“But that emotional dysfuntion in Nirvana was relieved when we put on instruments. If the music hadn’t worked, we wouldn’t have been there together."
"I truly believe that there’s some people you can only communicate with musically. And sometimes that’s an even greater, deeper communication. There are people I might feel a little awkward talking to but once we strap on instruments, it’s like they’re the love of my life.”
Foo Fighters’ 10th album, Medicine at Midnight is out on February 5th.
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Stuart has been working for guitar publications since 2008, beginning his career as Reviews Editor for Total Guitar before becoming Editor for six years. During this time, he and the team brought the magazine into the modern age with digital editions, a Youtube channel and the Apple chart-bothering Total Guitar Podcast. Stuart has also served as a freelance writer for Guitar World, Guitarist and MusicRadar reviewing hundreds of products spanning everything from acoustic guitars to valve amps, modelers and plugins. When not spouting his opinions on the best new gear, Stuart has been reminded on many occasions that the 'never meet your heroes' rule is entirely wrong, clocking-up interviews with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Green Day and many, many more.