Fecal Matter (band)

Fecal Matter

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1985
Founder	Kurt Cobain
Defunct	1986
Headquarters	Aberdeen, Washington , United States
Products	Punk rock music, demo tape Illiteracy Will Prevail

Fecal Matter was a punk rock group originating from Aberdeen, Washington, established in 1985 by Kurt Cobain, who would later become the lead vocalist of Nirvana. The initial lineup included Dale Crover of the Melvins and drummer Greg Hokanson. During rehearsals in 1986, Melvins members Buzz Osborne ("King Buzzo") and Mike Dillard joined a subsequent formation of the band. The group disbanded within the same year.

Their only recording session produced the Illiteracy Will Prevail demo tape. Apart from the track "Spank Thru", the other songs have not been officially released. A re-recorded version of "Downer" was later included on Nirvana's first album, Bleach. This demo is significant as it documents Cobain's earliest songwriting efforts and contributed to his recognition within the emerging grunge movement in Washington State.

History

Following Kurt Cobain's departure from Aberdeen High School in early 1985, Fecal Matter was formed. It was one of several informal projects associated with the Melvins, initially comprising Cobain on vocals and guitar, Dale Crover from Melvins handling bass duties, and Greg Hokanson on drums. Their repertoire included original compositions as well as covers from bands such as The Ramones, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix.

The Illiteracy Will Prevail demo was recorded by Cobain and Crover at Cobain's aunt Mari Earl’s residence in SeaTac using a 4-track recorder. The exact recording date is disputed; some sources claim it occurred in December 1985, while others suggest late March 1986. On this demo, Crover performed both bass and drum parts across 13 original tracks characterized by Cobain as "totally abrasive," merging punk influences from bands like Black Sabbath and Black Flag. Although Crover described the recordings as "amateurish," Melvins frontman Buzz Osborne acknowledged a distinctive "magic" within their straightforward yet impactful style.

In 1986, Buzz Osborne and former Melvins drummer Mike Dillard joined on bass and drums respectively. This configuration rehearsed briefly; however, Cobain reportedly became dissatisfied with Osborne’s reluctance to invest in musical equipment. Their sole live performance took place on May 3, 1986, in Olympia, under the moniker Brown Towel (occasionally referred to as "Brown Cow"). This short-lived ensemble combined Cobain’s poetry with musical contributions from Osborne and Crover.

The band dissolved later that year as the Melvins focused on promoting their debut EP, Six Songs.

Legacy

Following Fecal Matter's inactivity, Cobain circulated the demo tape among his acquaintances. One such associate, Krist Novoselic, with whom he had briefly played music, took a liking to the track "Spank Thru" and agreed to form a new band that evolved into Nirvana. They commenced rehearsals in late 1986, incorporating Fecal Matter songs such as "Downer," "Anorexorcist," and "Spank Thru".

In the liner notes for From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, Novoselic described "Spank Thru" as "...the first Nirvana song," highlighting its fusion of punk vigor, noise elements, and pop sensibilities. The song appeared on multiple official Nirvana releases and featured prominently in early live performances:

• Nirvana recorded "Spank Thru" three times: initially during their first studio session in January 1988, then a second version later that year included on the Sub Pop 200 compilation—marking it as their third officially released track—and finally during their first BBC Peel Session in 1989.
• It remained the only Fecal Matter composition performed live after 1988, regularly appearing in setlists throughout the Bleach era and occasionally during tours supporting Nevermind. Official live recordings are available on the 1990 UK "Sliver" CD single, the 1991 album From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, and the 1992 Live at Reading concert.
• A rehearsal video from 1988 was included on the 2004 With the Lights Out DVD.
• The original Fecal Matter version of "Spank Thru" was officially released for the first time on Nirvana’s 2005 rarities compilation Sliver: The Best of the Box.

The track "Downer" was re-recorded by Nirvana in January 1988 and added to subsequent pressings of their Bleach album starting with its 1992 reissue; it also appeared on the Incesticide compilation released that same year.

"Anorexorcist," which forms part of a nine-minute medley on the Fecal Matter demo, featured in early Nirvana setlists. It was performed during a 1987 broadcast on KAOS when Nirvana briefly operated under the name "Skid Row"; this performance was later included on With the Lights Out.

As Nirvana's popularity increased, copies of Illiteracy Will Prevail became highly coveted among collectors and were frequently subject to bootleg reproductions. In March 2006, an incomplete low-quality version leaked online, followed by three full tracks—"Sound of Dentage," "Bambi Slaughter," and "Laminated Effect"—which were briefly uploaded to MySpace and authenticated by collectors.

In August 2015, anonymous sources released the entire tape digitally in both mp3 and lossless formats, alongside a remastered edition. In 2024, an official release of Illiteracy Will Prevail appeared on Spotify, although some original demo tracks were excluded.

Band lineup

• Kurt Cobain – vocals, guitar (1985–1986)
• Dale Crover – bass guitar, drums (1985–1986)
• Greg Hokanson – drums (1985–1986)
• Buzz Osborne – bass guitar (1986)
• Mike Dillard – drums (1986)

Illiteracy Will Prevail

Additional information

• The tracks "Laminated Effect" and "Blather's Log" are believed to correspond to two cassette recordings, although their exact identities remain uncertain.
• The recording was made using a TEAC A-2340 four-track recorder. The cover featured handwritten contact details for Cobain and Crover.

Contributors

• Kurt Cobain – vocals, guitar
• Dale Crover – bass, drums, backing vocals

External links

• Illiteracy Will Prevail on Internet Archive
• Live Nirvana sessions history - Easter 1986 (Fecal Matter)
• Fecal Matter FAQ on alt.music.nirvana
• Live Nirvana - information on the fabricated demo
• Discogs release