Misguided university mascot asks Nirvana for video message

A misguided fan has written to Nirvana to ask the band whether they could record a video message for the Virginia Tech's homecoming.

The request was was sent to Sub-Pop, the Seattle-based record label that found fame after signing a number of bands, including Nirvana, in the '80s and '90s. The label also published the request from the unnamed student, who seems to have no knowledge of who Nirvana are, nor the fact that the band have been inactive since 1994 when lead singer Kurt Cobain committed suicide.

The letter asks: "As a homecoming candidate, we [sic] were wondering if Nirvana would send a quick video to us that we could include in our video collage to widely distribute to our 30,000+ students during Homecoming Week ... It presents great publicity for them, and as Virginia Tech loves Nirvana, we'd love to have her [sic] in our video."

It gets even more cringe-worthy from there, with the student stating the band could “simply” say: “What’s up Virginia Tech? This is Nirvana! Just wanted to wish you guys a Happy Homecoming Week and good luck at the game this Saturday. LETS GO HOKIES!’”

They even attempt to dangle the carrot of “great publicity” to entice the band, as well as the tantalizing prospect of appearing “amongst artists including Big N Rich, Ying Yang Twins, the Cataracs, Slightly Stoopid, and three famous NFL players” -- esteemed company for a band that’s widely regarded as one of the most important acts of recent decades.

Sub-Pop attempted to oblige the letter writer by dressing up as the Seattle-based rockers to record this message:

No news yet from surviving band members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl on whether they’ll fulfill the request, but we wouldn't hold our breath.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the letter writer's school as the University of Virginia.