Former NIRVANA Bassist Quits The Music Business

Former NIRVANA bassist Krist Novoselic, who never managed to come close to matching his NIRVANA success with any of his subsequent musical offerings (SWEET 75, EYES ADRIFT),has announced his retirement from the music industry.

The following is Novoselic's official statement on the matter as it appears on EYES ADRIFT's web site:

"So what's up with EYES ADRIFT? Pretty much nothing.

"We [Novoselic, ex-SUBLIME drummer Bud Gaugh, and MEAT PUPPETS guitarist/vocalist Curt Kirkwood] came together in 2002 as three musicians who like to play. We came together as three people who shared common life experiences.

"While EYES ADRIFT is an artistic success, the commercial side is anything but successful.

"Our first tour in the spring of 2002 was great. We played great shows, met great people and had great fun. We drew people just on our past histories. We had no product (except for silly T-shirts.)

"After the release of the album the dynamic changed. Being on an independent label created many challenges for us. We were working outside of a very insular system. While our collective pasts did give us an advantage, it wasn't enough to overcome the fact that there was very little money for promotion. We chose to put our money into creature comforts like a first class tour bus.

"Turnout to our shows would range wildly, one night packed, the next sparse. Still , every night, we met with all of the people who wanted to say hi. I must have literally met a thousand people — you know who you are.

"The turnout issue transformed into a financial one. Our tour was in the red. All indications were that Europe would be the same. It was that reality which ultimately kept us from going over there. I am still deeply disappointed, especially when I think of all of the wonderful people I met on the two US tours. I am disappointed that I will not make new friends in Europe — at least not soon.

"I recall too many stories of people simply not being able to find the CD in stores. I know of many who just downloaded. Mixed reviews didn't help the fact that we really didn't sell many CDs. I can't honestly tell you how many we've sold but I can't imagine it's over 20,000 units.

"A flop? No way!!! At this rate we'll go gold in about a hundred years. Too long you say but isn't music eternal? I'm in no rush.

"The overwhelming majority of people don't even know that there is an EYES ADRIFT. People walk up to me and ask me about SWEET 69 or SWEET 76 or whatever tortured recollection of that musical triumph they can muster. I've found that people do get turned on to EYES ADRIFT and that's fulfilling.

"Another fact that works against us is that we all live so far apart from each other. We are all connected to our respective homes and leaving is difficult.

"I got to play with Curt and Bud. We made an awesome record. Bud is a great drummer and Curt a master songwriter and guitarist. In my life I've been extremely fortunate to have worked with some great talent. Yes, friends, I am very content. I am very honored. I've been to the mountain and let me tell you, the view is glorious. I want to thank all of the great players who shared their talent with me and I will forever hold these experiences near and dear to my heart.

"What next? As far as the music industry goes, I quit. I can't deal. I can't read the magazines, listen to the radio or watch music television without feeling like I've just come in from outer space. I just don't get it and I probably never did. My lot in life is that every band I've ever been in just falls apart. That hurts but I've got a thick hide from years of conditioning. Now please take note that I haven't quit music, I've just quit the business. (I can't complain about the business side of NIRVANA. I'm not crying a river by any means.) I want to play more with Curt and Bud, they're too good for me not to plug in my bass thus plugging into the cosmo-stream of transcendental rocking good times that those two charge me with.

"I'm relatively young (38) and I want to follow my compulsions. I have big plans for 2004. Next year will be a pivotal year politically for every one of us in the USA and for myself, even more so. I've come off of nine years of political success and see some real opportunities to make change. You'll all hear about my plans soon enough. If you've been following my politics, you know that I will continue to work for inclusion, fairness and freedom."