Sub Pop Staffer Behind Cobain Belongings Sale Hoax

During the past week, rock fans and skeptics had been curious about a recent Craigslist classified that listed several supposedly-once-owned-by-Kurt-Cobain items for sale. However, it’s since been revealed that the whole thing was a lark initiated by Sub Pop Records receptionist, Derek Erdman.

In the ad, it was noted that Erdman was a former roommate of Cobain’s, and that he’d been holding onto a box of his belongings for some time. He claimed that Cobain originally left these items with him as collateral for rent money which was owed, but never came back.

Up for grabs was a set of skis for $80 (poles not included); a telephone ($55); and a video game called Kingman ($25). The listing did also say that more possessions of Cobain would go on sale at a later date.

Erdman now admits that he just grabbed photos of the items off the Internet, and managed to receive serious interest from memorabilia collectors.

In an interview with Revolt, this amazing prankster – who as far as we can tell is still employed by Sub Pop and probably high-fiving his way to the top – discussed how this all came to be.

“[They idea came about] Friday morning, right after I got to work. I was supposed to be working on something else that I haven’t been able to get into, so I created a diversion,” explained Erdman. “Then I ignored it and went back to work. A few hours later I did an interview with CBC radio about it. Later that night I met a TV news crew (with cameras!) at the aforementioned Safeway for an interview, but they called my bluff and asked for ID. I told them that I was a onetime bass player for ‘90s band Gruntruck. They didn’t buy it, and they were visibly not happy about me wasting their time, I was wearing a flannel shirt though.”

-Adam Grant