The theater where Nirvana played their first gig

This is the location where Nirvana played their first gig.

It is situated at 5441 South M Street in Tacoma, Washington.

At the time, it was known as the Community World Theater. These days, it is the home of a Christian church called Templo Maranatha.

Gig

Nirvana had their first gig at the theater on Saturday, March 19th, 1988. Although they had previously played together as Skid Row, Pen Cap Chew, Bliss, and Ted Ed Fred, this was their first live performance under their new name.

Notably, it wasn't their first time at the theater either, as they had played there on five occasions between April 18th, 1987, and March 19th, 1988.

The cost of entry was $5. However, the poster said that attendees could lower the price by bringing cans of food. Two other bands called Lush and Vampire Lezbos also performed that night. Nirvana's set lasted an hour and included songs such as Love Buzz, Big Cheese, Floyd the Barber, and Aero Zeppelin.

Nirvana 1988

At the time, Nirvana's members consisted of Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Foster. During its formative years, the band went through a string of drummers until Dave Grohl finally joined in 1990.

Later in 1988, Cobain replaced Foster with a drummer named Chad Channing.

In a letter that he wrote to Foster but never sent, he explained that he wasn't "compatible" with him and Novoselic:

"Most importantly, we can relate to him [Chad]. Let's face it, you are from a totally different culture. Our hobbies and interests are different."

Foster dressed differently and often got into fights, which didn't exactly gel with Cobain's peaceful nature.

The Community World Theater

The building was owned by Alex Mushkin.

Previously, it had been an adult movie theater. In early 1987, a man named Jim May leased it and converted it into a rock venue.

The first show took place on February 14th, 1987.

The Community World Theater only lasted about 18 months.

It hosted its final show on June 28th, 1988. On that occasion, more than 700 people crammed into the venue to watch a band called the Circle Jerks. The huge crowd attracted the attention of the local fire marshal, as the maximum occupancy was 222.

Following the incident, Mushkin immediately canceled May's lease. At the time, there was also considerable pressure from locals, who were unhappy with the influx of punk rockers sporting mohawks and leather jackets.

Mushkin claimed that attendees regularly vandalized the neighborhood and left litter. A local business owner also accused patrons of jumping on cars and slashing tires.

Despite these claims, a spokesperson for the Tacoma Police Department said that he knew of "little negative activity" at the theater.