Chad Channing first connected with Nirvana when he saw them perform as Bliss , then later got introduced to Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic through a mutual friend, Damon Romero, who helped set up the connection. He eventually started jamming with them and, as Chad has described it, there was never a formal “you’re in the band” moment — he just kept showing up until it was understood he was the drummer.

Quick Scoop

  • First contact: He met the future band through an early show when they were still called Bliss.
  • How the hookup happened: A friend, Damon Romero , helped connect Chad with Kurt and Chris after they were looking for a drummer.
  • How he joined: They rehearsed together, kept jamming, and Chad “fell into” the band rather than being officially hired in a formal moment.
  • When it became official: He played his first official Nirvana show in May 1988.

In Plain English

It was more of a gradual Seattle-scene connection than a dramatic audition story. Chad met them, jammed with them, and kept returning until the band lineup basically solidified around him.

TL;DR

Chad Channing met the band through an early show and a mutual friend, then joined by repeatedly jamming with them until he became Nirvana’s drummer.