The one guitarist who always belonged in Nirvana: “He was really close friends with them”

This article speculates about which musician might have joined Nirvana as a second guitarist, arguing the band was often conceived by Kurt Cobain as a four-piece rather than the classic power trio. While Pat Smear eventually filled that role during the band's later live performances, the piece explores earlier candidates, including Jason Everman, who briefly played with the band before being dismissed, and later joined and was also fired from Soundgarden. The focus falls on Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd, who is presented as the guitarist who "always belonged" in Nirvana.

According to biographer Corbin Reiff, Cobain held considerable admiration for Soundgarden and its members, and Shepherd reportedly toured with Nirvana and was lined up to become their second guitarist, though he ended up working the band's merchandise table instead due to his closeness with them. The article notes Shepherd went on to thrive as Soundgarden's bassist, contributing distinctive parts to songs such as "Spoonman" and "Fell on Black Days", and suggests his style might not have suited Nirvana's musical dynamic. It ultimately reflects on how his path diverged from Cobain's, sparing him direct involvement in Nirvana's troubled later history.