Chad Channing
Encyclopedia
Chad Channing is an American
musician
who is best known for being the drummer
of the band Nirvana
from 1988 until 1990, during which time they recorded and released their debut album Bleach
. He currently sings and plays bass in the band Before Cars.
and the family was constantly moving all over the country due to different jobs being offered to him. At the age of thirteen Chad shattered his thigh bone in an accident during gym class. Over the years of rehabilitation and surgeries he discovered music, beginning with a bass guitar
which his parents bought him. The bass filled Chad's time as he was unable to go to school. When he was out of his leg casts, his parents bought him a drum set to help build strength in his legs. Chad was a natural at the drums and began jamming with friends.
Channing started the band Tick-Dolly-Row with Ben Shepherd
, who would later become the bassist for Soundgarden
. Tick-Dolly-Row shared a bill with Nirvana
, who at the time were going under the name Bliss. Not long after, a mutual friend introduced Channing to Kurt Cobain
and Krist Novoselic
who were searching for a drummer. The three got together several times for jam sessions before they started playing shows.
", also marking their Sub Pop
debut. Nirvana began the recording sessions for Bleach
on Christmas Eve 1988, finishing up towards the end of January 1989. Jason Everman
, a friend of the band, agreed to pay the money for recording costs. Everman had known Channing since fifth grade and the two had also played in bands together in high school.
Bleach was released on June 15, 1989. Chad played drums on the entire album with the exception of "Floyd the Barber", "Paper Cuts", and "Downer" which featured drummer Dale Crover
from an earlier recording session prior to Channing joining the band. In April 1990 Nirvana recorded eight songs at Smart Studios
with producer Butch Vig
that ended when Cobain blew his voice out. During the sessions, Cobain and Novoselic became disenchanted with Channing's drumming, and Channing expressed frustration at not being actively involved in songwriting. These creative differences culminated in the departure of Channing, a mutual decision within the band. By the time Nirvana made their next attempt at recording, they had recruited Dave Grohl
as their new drummer, who kept many of the same drum parts to the songs Chad had been playing. Although uncredited, the version of "Polly" used on Nevermind is the original version the band recorded with Channing, the only song carried over from the previous session.
Due to mass popularity and longevity, older work by Nirvana would continue to be rehashed, both during the band's existence and following their demise. The 1992 compilation Incesticide
featured the tracks "Big Long Now", "Stain", and "Dive", which all credited Channing as drummer. Live versions of "Polly" and "Breed" that included Channing appeared on From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah
, a live album released in 1996. The 2004 With the Lights Out
box set featured a DVD of a December 1988 Nirvana rehearsal, as well as seven songs scattered across the first two discs of the set, all with Channing on drums.
in 1992, produced by Jack Endino
, who had also produced Bleach. Members of the Fire Ants also included Brian Wood (vocals) and Kevin Wood (guitars), brothers of the late Mother Love Bone
singer Andrew Wood, and bassist Dan McDonald. Channing and McDonald collaborated yet again in 1998 with John Hurd and Erik Spicer, forming The Methodists who released the album Cookie.
Most recently Chad stepped out from behind the drum set to front his new project Before Cars, who released the single "Old Chair" in 2006. They released their debut album Walk Back in 2008, again produced by Jack Endino. Channing supplies lead vocals and bass on all tracks, as well as some acoustic guitar.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
who is best known for being the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
of the band Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
from 1988 until 1990, during which time they recorded and released their debut album Bleach
Bleach (album)
Bleach is the debut album by the American rock band Nirvana, released in June 1989 through the independent record label Sub Pop. The main recording sessions took place at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, Washington between December 1988 and January 1989...
. He currently sings and plays bass in the band Before Cars.
Early life
Chad Channing was born on January 31, 1967, in Santa Rosa, California, to Wayne and Burnyce Channing. Wayne was a radio disc jockeyDisc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and the family was constantly moving all over the country due to different jobs being offered to him. At the age of thirteen Chad shattered his thigh bone in an accident during gym class. Over the years of rehabilitation and surgeries he discovered music, beginning with a bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
which his parents bought him. The bass filled Chad's time as he was unable to go to school. When he was out of his leg casts, his parents bought him a drum set to help build strength in his legs. Chad was a natural at the drums and began jamming with friends.
Channing started the band Tick-Dolly-Row with Ben Shepherd
Ben Shepherd
Ben Shepherd is an American musician, two-time Grammy Award Winner best known for playing bass in the grunge band Soundgarden from 1990 until the band's 1997 break-up...
, who would later become the bassist for Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
. Tick-Dolly-Row shared a bill with Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, who at the time were going under the name Bliss. Not long after, a mutual friend introduced Channing to Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
and Krist Novoselic
Krist Novoselic
Krist Anthony Novoselic II is a Croatian-American rock musician, best known for being the bassist and co-founder of the grunge band Nirvana. After Nirvana ended, Novoselic formed Sweet 75 and then Eyes Adrift, releasing one album with each band...
who were searching for a drummer. The three got together several times for jam sessions before they started playing shows.
Nirvana career
In June 1988, only a couple of months after Channing joined Nirvana, they recorded their first single, "Love BuzzLove Buzz
-Shocking Blue:"Love Buzz" is a song written by Robbie van Leeuwen of Dutch rock band Shocking Blue.-Nirvana:The American grunge band Nirvana recorded a cover version of the song for its 1988 debut single, released on Sub Pop in the US. It was the first single in the Sub Pop Singles club. A...
", also marking their Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
debut. Nirvana began the recording sessions for Bleach
Bleach (album)
Bleach is the debut album by the American rock band Nirvana, released in June 1989 through the independent record label Sub Pop. The main recording sessions took place at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, Washington between December 1988 and January 1989...
on Christmas Eve 1988, finishing up towards the end of January 1989. Jason Everman
Jason Everman
Jason Mark Everman is an American guitarist/bassist who played with Nirvana and Soundgarden. Everman is currently studying philosophy at Columbia University.-Nirvana:...
, a friend of the band, agreed to pay the money for recording costs. Everman had known Channing since fifth grade and the two had also played in bands together in high school.
Bleach was released on June 15, 1989. Chad played drums on the entire album with the exception of "Floyd the Barber", "Paper Cuts", and "Downer" which featured drummer Dale Crover
Dale Crover
Dale Crover is an American rock musician. Crover is best known as the drummer for Melvins and Men of Porn, Shrinebuilder, and for a brief time, drummer for Nirvana. He is also guitarist and vocalist for Altamont...
from an earlier recording session prior to Channing joining the band. In April 1990 Nirvana recorded eight songs at Smart Studios
Smart Studios
Smart Studios was a recording studio located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands....
with producer Butch Vig
Butch Vig
Butch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
that ended when Cobain blew his voice out. During the sessions, Cobain and Novoselic became disenchanted with Channing's drumming, and Channing expressed frustration at not being actively involved in songwriting. These creative differences culminated in the departure of Channing, a mutual decision within the band. By the time Nirvana made their next attempt at recording, they had recruited Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
as their new drummer, who kept many of the same drum parts to the songs Chad had been playing. Although uncredited, the version of "Polly" used on Nevermind is the original version the band recorded with Channing, the only song carried over from the previous session.
Due to mass popularity and longevity, older work by Nirvana would continue to be rehashed, both during the band's existence and following their demise. The 1992 compilation Incesticide
Incesticide
-Personnel:All sessions:*Kurt Cobain – vocals, guitar*Krist Novoselic – bass guitarSeattle, WA: Reciprocal Recording Studios Nirvana's first studio demo tape...
featured the tracks "Big Long Now", "Stain", and "Dive", which all credited Channing as drummer. Live versions of "Polly" and "Breed" that included Channing appeared on From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah is a live album by the American grunge band, Nirvana. It was released on October 1, 1996 and features live performances recorded from 1989 to 1994...
, a live album released in 1996. The 2004 With the Lights Out
With the Lights Out
With the Lights Out is a box set, containing three CDs and one DVD, of previously rare or unreleased material, including b-sides, demos, rough rehearsal recordings and live recordings, from the American rock band Nirvana. It was released in November 2004...
box set featured a DVD of a December 1988 Nirvana rehearsal, as well as seven songs scattered across the first two discs of the set, all with Channing on drums.
Post Nirvana work
After leaving Nirvana, Channing formed the Fire Ants who released the Stripped EP on Dekema RecordsDekema Records
Dekema Records is a record label that first achieved notice in the 1990s for releasing the EP "Stripped" by the seminal grunge rock group the Fire Ants. Dekema used music producer Jack Endino to record the band at Word of Mouth studios in 1992...
in 1992, produced by Jack Endino
Jack Endino
Jack Endino is a producer and musician based in Seattle. Long associated with Seattle label Sub Pop and the grunge movement, Endino worked on seminal albums from bands such as Mudhoney, Soundgarden, and Nirvana...
, who had also produced Bleach. Members of the Fire Ants also included Brian Wood (vocals) and Kevin Wood (guitars), brothers of the late Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone was an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1988. The band was active from 1988 to 1990. Frontman Andrew Wood's personality and compositions helped to catapult the group to the top of the burgeoning late 1980s/early 1990s Seattle music scene...
singer Andrew Wood, and bassist Dan McDonald. Channing and McDonald collaborated yet again in 1998 with John Hurd and Erik Spicer, forming The Methodists who released the album Cookie.
Most recently Chad stepped out from behind the drum set to front his new project Before Cars, who released the single "Old Chair" in 2006. They released their debut album Walk Back in 2008, again produced by Jack Endino. Channing supplies lead vocals and bass on all tracks, as well as some acoustic guitar.
With Nirvana
| Release | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bleach Bleach (album) Bleach is the debut album by the American rock band Nirvana, released in June 1989 through the independent record label Sub Pop. The main recording sessions took place at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, Washington between December 1988 and January 1989... (1989) |
Appears on ten of the album's thirteen tracks. |
| Nevermind Nevermind Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records... (1991) |
Appears on "Polly Polly (song) "Polly" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the sixth song on its 1991 album, Nevermind.-History:Dating back to at least 1988, "Polly" stands alongside "About a Girl" as one of singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain's earliest forays into unfiltered pop songwriting. It was originally titled... ". (uncredited) |
| Incesticide Incesticide -Personnel:All sessions:*Kurt Cobain – vocals, guitar*Krist Novoselic – bass guitarSeattle, WA: Reciprocal Recording Studios Nirvana's first studio demo tape... (1992) |
Compilation Compilation album A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter... ; appears on "Dive", "Stain" and "Big Long Now". |
| From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah is a live album by the American grunge band, Nirvana. It was released on October 1, 1996 and features live performances recorded from 1989 to 1994... (1996) |
Live album Live album A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album... ; appears on "Breed" and "Polly". |
| Nirvana (2002) | Compilation; appears on "About a Girl" and "Been a Son". |
| With the Lights Out With the Lights Out With the Lights Out is a box set, containing three CDs and one DVD, of previously rare or unreleased material, including b-sides, demos, rough rehearsal recordings and live recordings, from the American rock band Nirvana. It was released in November 2004... box set (2004) |
Appears on multiple tracks and DVD DVD A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions.... material. |
| Bleach deluxe edition (2009) | Remaster Remaster Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began... ed reissue featuring bonus live material. |