Kurt Cobain died on my 12th birthday.
Well, actually, his body was discovered on my birthday. Forensics would show that Kurt shot himself three days earlier, on April 5, 1994. But as I was celebrating my first dozen years on Earth, the world lost its greatest rock star. 'Happy birthday… to… me…'
Some would argue that the grunge movement died then, too. But you can’t shut off an entire music genre in one day. I’d argue that Kurt’s passing signalled grunge’s imminent demise – but it was Stone Temple Pilots’ Purple that delivered the death knell. And you know what? The world was better for it.
When STP released their dark, edgy debut, Core, in 1992, the lyrical themes of abuse, injustice, and sexual objectification went entirely over my sweet, little 10-year-old head. But with two more years of experience under my belt (notably, a failed relationship with an older eighth grade woman), I could finally appreciate the band’s dark side.
A hit single from The Crow soundtrack, Big Empty first showed up on mainstream American radio on May 22, 1994 – two weeks in advance of the release of STP’s sophomore album, Purple. By the time the album’s second single – the swirling, grinding Vasoline – rolled out the following week, I was sold. I purchased the album on cassette at Nobody Beats the Wiz, and my life – much like mainstream rock, it turns out – would be forever changed.