Charles Peterson's 'Grunge' Gallery

Nirvana, 1991: "Krist and Kurt at the Seattle record release of Nevermind at Beehive Records. An amazing intimate late afternoon show and the last time I (or anyone?) would photograph Nirvana live stageless." - photographer Charles Peterson

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Soundgarden, 1986: "Soundgarden at Seattle's Vogue Tavern on a "Sub Pop Sunday" night in 1986. This photo was used for the cover of their first EP, Screaming Life, and was the first photo of mine to really make people sit up and take notice with its larger than life, in your face, yet oddly artistic for underground rock and roll sensibility." - photographer Charles Peterson

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Nirvana stagediver, 1990: "Taken at a 1990 Nirvana show in at the University of Washington HUB Ballroom, I remember tugging on this stagediver's pant leg as he climbed to the top of the p.a., and shouting to him "Don't to do it!" Since he wouldn't listen to me I set up for the shot. I'm glad he didn't take my advice!" - photographer Charles Peterson

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Nirvana, 1989: "Another back to nature shot with Nirvana for a promo shoot for their first LP 'Bleach.' They found the idea very silly and Krist started acting out, cracking up Kurt. Ya gotta love Kurt's Scratch Acid t-shirt!" - photographer Charles Peterson

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Mudhoney, 1988: "Mudhoney's third ever gig at Seattle's Central Tavern. In the background, arms overhead, is Sub Pop founder Bruce Pavitt, and ace illustrator Ed Fotheringham is holding the ubiquitous can of Schmidt beer. I love how the fish on the beer can mimics Mark Arms bendy moves!" - photographer Charles Peterson

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Soundgarden, circa 1987: "Soundgarden in the lily pads at Seattle's arboretum park for an early (1987?) promo shoot. It took forever to convince guitarist Kim Thayil (far right) to wade out. It looks like he's enjoying it but he actually griped the whole time!" - photographer Charles Peterson

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Screaming Trees' Mark Lanegan: "[This is] Screaming Trees' Mark Lanegan for a Sub Pop shoto shoot in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood in 1992. Mark hates having his photograph taken so I posed (in other words hid) him in my 1967 Buick Special. He chain smoked the entire time, lighting one cigarette after another with the previous one. Classic." - photographer Charles Peterson

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Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, 1991: "After the Beehive [Records] show [for Nevermind's release in 1991] ended Kurt slumped down outside exhausted and was beseiged by autograph seekers. It seemed quite alien to him and a portent of things to come." - photographer Charles Peterson

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L7, 1990: "L7 from Los Angeles were another Sub Pop signing from outside the Pacific Northwest who fit in perfectly with what was going on at Sub Pop. This is at Seattle's Vogue Tavern in 1990. Guitarist Donita Sparks in full grunge hair glory." - photographer Charles Peterson

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Nirvana, 1992: "One of my personal favorite shots of Kurt Cobain form the UK Reading Festival in 1992. I was one of the few photographers allowed on the stage for the entire show and part way Kurt looked over, seemingly to check if everything was okay, as if the 45,000 screaming fans in front of him didn't exist. Priceless." - photographer Charles Peterson

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