Red Hot Chili Peppers cover Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' – watch

Their first full band performance of the track

Red Hot Chili Peppers cover Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 1st Nov 2022

Red Hot Chili Peppers covered Nirvana’s seminal 1991 song ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ at an intimate show in Los Angeles over the weekend.

The funk rockers played a short 11-song set on Saturday night (29th October) at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which is a non-profit educational organisation founded by Flea in 2001 to foster music education. Anthony Kiedis also serves on the board.

After performing songs from their back catalogue including ‘Californication’, ‘Scar Tissue’ and ‘By the Way’, Red Hot Chili Peppers concluded their set by launching into a cover of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’

The rendition of the classic track saw guitarist John Frusciante sing Kurt Cobain’s gritty grunge chorus, while Anthony Kiedis (wearing his green string vest over his head) sang the verse.

It was the first time Red Hot Chili Peppers have covered ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ as a full band, however Chad Smith and John Frusciante performed a version at the band's show in Toronto back in September 2006.

Watch Red Hot Chili Peppers cover Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’:

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 13th studio album ‘Return of the Dream Canteen’ was released on 14th October and it charted at Number 2 in the UK. It was their second album release in six months after ‘Unlimited Love’ landed in April.

The band played stadium concerts in Manchester and London in June, however their show at Glasgow Bellahouston Park on 1st July was cancelled due to illness.

Kurt Cobain's life in photos:

Kurt’s childhood home in Aberdeen, Washington

His parents Wendy and Donald Cobain bought the house in 1969 when Kurt was two and he lived there until they separated when he was nine.

Kurt with younger sister by three years Kimberly in the mid 1970s


Kurt celebrates a childhood birthday with his family


Kurt and Kimberly stand outside their Aberdeen home

When their parents split in 1976, Kurt went to live with his father and Kim lived with her mother.

Showcasing an early talent for music, Kurt plays piano at his childhood home


Kurt’s attic bedroom pictured in 2013

More than a quarter of a century after Kurt last habited the room, his graffiti – including an Iron Maiden logo – still adorns the walls.

Led Zeppelin graffiti Kurt penned on his bedroom wall


An Aberdeen Junior High School photo of a young Kurt Cobain


A teenage Kurt at his Washington home


Kurt playing guitar in his attic room

His walls are decorated with Black Flag and hardcore punk band Dr. Know gig posters.

May 1986: Kurt was arrested aged 19

He was arrested for trespassing on an abandoned building in Market Street, Aberdeen. He was also arrested a year earlier for spray painting on pick-up trucks.

1991: Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl in London


August 1991: Nirvana perform at Reading Festival


September 1991: A 'Nevermind' launch show at New York’s Tower Records


5th November 1991: Kurt onstage at Nirvana’s sold-out gig at The Astoria Theatre in London


November 1991: Kurt crowdsurfing in Frankfurt, Germany


1991: Kurt at Hilversum Studios, Holland


1991: Kurt at Hilversum Studios, Holland


August 1992: The Kerrang! Magazine cover featured a very sombre Kurt

It included a play on The Smiths lyrics 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now'.

December 1993: A second Kerrang! Magazine cover

16 months later and the tone of the cover is very different with the title: 'Hugs Not Drugs! Kurt Gets Happy!'.

1992: Kurt performing live in a maid’s outfit


1992: Nirvana at the MTV Video Music Awards


August 1992: Nirvana’s legendary Reading Festival performance


9th April 1993: Kurt on-stage with Nirvana at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California

Appearing alongside L7 and The Breeders, the gig was a Bosnian Rape Victim Benefit.

July 1993: Performing at the Roseland Ballroom, New York


1993: Kurt with his wife Courtney Love and one-year-old daughter Frances Bean at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles

Kurt and Courtney married in Hawaii in March 1992 with Kurt infamously wearing his pyjamas to the ceremony!

1993: Kurt at the MTV VMAs ceremony, Los Angeles


1993: At the 10th annual MTV Video Music Awards

Nirvana pose with director Kevin Kerslake after receiving an award for best alternative video for 'In Bloom' at the 10th annual MTV Video Music Awards.

Kurt pretends to pick his nose with daughter Frances Bean


November 1993: Recording Nirvana’s legendary MTV Unplugged session


December 1993: Performing at MTV Live and Loud, Seattle


February 1994: Live at The Palace, Melbourne


25th February 1994: Nirvana live at Palatrussardi indoor arena in Milan Italy

Their last ever gig took place at Terminal 1 in Munich, Germany six days later.

April 1994: Kurt Cobain dies

171 Lake Washington Blvd East Seattle, Washington, the site of Cobain's death.

16th April 1994: The Kerrang! Magazine cover, 11 days after the Nirvana’s legend’s untimely death


The Sonic Youth t-shirt Kurt wore at Nirvana’s final live performance in Munich, March 1994

The garment was auctioned at the Hard Rock Café in London in July 2012.

2011: A small park in Aberdeen was named ‘Kurt Cobain Landing’ in Kurt’s honour

This plaque quoting Something In The Way lyrics overlooks the Wishkah River.

An electric guitar monument at Kurt Cobain Landing in Seattle


Listen to Absolute Radio across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, by hitting that play button on the bottom of your screen or by asking your smart speaker to "play Absolute Radio".