Former Nirvana drummer Chad Channing says he has “no regrets” about leaving the band right before its seminal 1991 album, Nevermind, was released.
Channing was recently interviewed by Finland’s Kaaos TV and he was asked specifically about his place in hard rock history.
“I have no regrets because I always thought that things just sort of fall in place for a reason,” Channing says. “For example, I was that perfect puzzle piece for the band at the time, and then they needed another piece to do other things and stuff.”
Channing was Nirvana's drummer from 1988 to 1990, including for all but three songs (which were tracked by drummer Melvins drummer Dale Crover) on Nirvana's debut album, Bleach.
When Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, Channing was not extended the honor, which was limited to Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl.
Channing says he remained friends with his former bandmates after he went his own way. He maintains that he left the band over musical differences, not personal ones.
"I look back at those days and I think, 'Wow, I played a small part in something.' So I'm happy with that," he said.
Channing recalled a warm reunion after the first time he saw his former band perform with Grohl on drums.
"In fact, I remember the first time I saw them with Dave at this place called the OK Hotel," Channing said. "It was the first time I've seen the guys in probably a year or so, and it was really good to see them. It was like, 'Hey, how's it going?' It was very friendly."
He says Grohl was as charming as he has always seemed.
"And I met Dave for the first time too. I found out what a really nice guy Dave is. So it was really cool meeting him too."
Recently, Channing has done some touring with Nirvana Experience. He said it was fun to perform some of those songs again.
"It does [bring back memories] in some ways," Channing recalled. "There's a little bit there that just kind of brings back some memories. So in some ways it does."
Get more information on the Nirvana Experience here.
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