A new underground rock auction is set to go live, and among the prized items are strands of Kurt Cobain‘s hair and a pair of underwear apparently “blood-signed” by GG Allin.
- READ MORE: Nirvana – every album ranked and rated
Punks, Monsters, Smut & Madmen: A Countercultural Cross-Section has been launched online by Potter & Potter Auctions – absentee bids are currently being accepted before the live auction next Friday (March 7) at 12am GMT.
Among the items are original pieces by The Simpsons‘ Matt Groening and graffiti artist Keith Haring, an unused ticket for a 1978 concert by Sex Pistols, a signed CD by Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey, relics from the iconic CBGB club, and a billiards table once owned by Steve Albini.
A collectible box featuring two strands of Cobain’s hair is currently going for over US$300 as of writing. This item was first collected by barber Tessa Osbourne, who, according to Potter & Potter, gave Cobain a haircut during Nirvana‘s 1989 UK tour supporting their debut album ‘Bleach’.
Six strands of Cobain’s hair were previously auctioned for US$14,145 (£10,005) in 2021 – these were likely collected at the same moment in 1989 by Osbourne as the two strands currently for sale. Both auction items have been offered by Nicole DePolo, a close friend of Cobain who was gifted the hair from Osbourne following his tragic death.
On the other hand, the pair of GG Allin’s used underwear comes with the late punk rock singer’s signature signed in blood, along with an inscription on the back that reads: “Suck my ass it smells”. The current bid for this item, as of writing, is US$425.
Over the years, several desired items previously from Cobain’s possession have been sold on auction – among them are a personal pack of American Spirits cigarettes, his guitar featured in the ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ music video, a hand-drawn self-portrait, and a smashed guitar signed by all three Nirvana members.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the MTV Unplugged series – which includes Nirvana’s iconic 1993 acoustic concert – is set to make its streaming debut on Paramount+.
In recent Nirvana news, its surviving members reunited for Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary television special, with Post Malone handling vocals.