Christian ''Chris'' Nichols (born May 16, 1965; age 59) is an American musician, actor, and satirical bassist, best known for his portrayal of Krist Novoselic in the mockumentary band Nirvana, a parody of the North Korean band Juche.
Early Life[]
Christian Nichols was born in Compton, California, to a family with no particular interest in music. However, his childhood fascination with absurd comedy and rhythm eventually led him to pick up the bass guitar—an instrument he described as "the most underestimated string of comedy."
Nichols often cites his admiration for bands like The Rutles as a driving force behind his decision to combine satire with music. His natural knack for dry humor and knack for mimicking musical styles made him a perfect fit for the project that would later become Nirvana.
Juche and Friendship with Kim Jong Chul[]
During his stay in the United States, Kim Jong-Chul became close friends with Nichols, who became one of the early members of Juche. Their friendship was built on a mutual appreciation for music, humor, and subversive artistic expression. Nichols played a crucial role in shaping the early sound of Juche, particularly through his basslines, which added a unique satirical edge to the band’s politically charged themes.
Nichols and Jong-Chul frequently collaborated, often discussing ways to blend punk rock energy with ironic social commentary. Their friendship influenced much of Juche's early work, with Nichols serving as both a musical and comedic foil to Jong-Chul’s intense artistic vision.
Nichols would eventually left Juche because he was fed up of it. It was then one year later, he would met Kurt Cobain and then David Gale, who all three together will form Nirvana as a parody of Juche.
Nirvana and The History of Nirvana[]
Nichols' career took off when he joined the fictional band Nirvana in the satirical mockumentary The History of Nirvana. Playing Krist Novoselic, Nichols was known for his deadpan humor and his skillful bass playing, which was often paired with hilariously over-the-top commentary on band politics and music culture.
Nichols’ Krist character was particularly memorable for his tendency to "accidentally" write overly complex basslines while poking fun at Juche's obsession with conformity. Despite the fictional premise, Nichols became a real-life icon in the parody music scene.