Tom Grant of ‘Soaked In Bleach’ Talks Kurt Cobain

Grant was at the epicenter of controversy when he suggested that there was more to Cobain’s death than the coroner’s determination of suicide. He had been hired by Cobain’s wife, Courtney Love, to locate Cobain after the rock star went missing.

Grant eventually came to his own conclusions; they didn’t sit well with pretty much anyone. However, the recent movie gained traction because it included some of the 30 hours of taped conversations Grant had with Love and others during the investigation, and he has been traveling the country on a speaking tour. That’s not to say he hasn’t seen his share of disparagement recently, nor does it mean that those in the industry who disliked his theory in the 1990s are happy with it now.

Still, Grant said he’d answer a few questions for us and we thought it harmless.

He was also featured in the book “Love & Death” and in the movie “Kurt & Courtney,” but was never happy with how he was portrayed in either. In his own book, which Grant did not ask to promote for the following exchange, he tells his own version of events (and they coincide with those of “Soaked In Bleach.”)

What exactly is the climate these days? Has the movie changed it, in your opinion?

Oh yes, most definitely. “Soaked in Bleach” lit a brush fire that will not be extinguished now until we reach our goal.

For that matter, the movie has some spectacular reviews, both ways. Do you buy into the theory that its rating has been manipulated?

According to others who have made direct contact with IMDB and “Rotten Tomatoes,” we know reviews and ratings were initially manipulated. However, it seems that situation has been somewhat corrected now and the reviews and ratings appear to be more fair and balanced, even if I don’t always agree with each of them.

You had mentioned at a recent Q&A that some exciting stuff is on the horizon. Can you drop a few more hints?

No, but in due time, you’ll see that I don’t make false promises. If you don’t see it within the next year, please feel free to write back and I’ll give you the details.

How about people in the industry – are there any off-the-record, behind-the-scene supporters?

As a second-time producer and first-time director (of “Soaked In Bleach”), Benjamin Statler has been around the Hollywood part of the entertainment industry for a few years now. He also lived in Malibu where he became friends with several celebrities who support our work but are not ready to go public for professional “political reasons.” As a former cop who worked in West Hollywood and Malibu, I had my P.I. office in Beverly Hills. I have also made friends with many celebrities and entertainment insiders who support our work. They have to consider how their support – for what many refer to as a “conspiracy theory,” with all the negative “whacko” connotations that phrase often implies – will affect their careers. I’m convinced the atmosphere surrounding this controversy will change within the next year and our famous friends will be much more willing to give their public support for our work.

But, to be clear, it makes no difference to me whether anyone agrees with my personal, final conclusions. “Supporting our work” simply means that they agree the investigation into Cobain’s death was totally botched by the Seattle authorities and, therefore, the findings must be changed from “Suicide” to “Undetermined.” (See www.cobaincase.com/focus.htm)

Here’s a passage regarding when you were at Cobain’s house after his body was discovered: “What transpires next – including whatever conversations he may have had with the police officers and medical examiners who arrived on the scene – is still a mystery because he refuses to play us the tape. ‘I can’t go into too many details about what I learned when I arrived that morning,’ he explains. ‘Some of those details will be very important for the prosecutor who eventually tries this case, and I don’t want to tip my hand too early.’”

Have you released those recordings?

This is from [the book] “Love and Death,” which I had no control over. This was their independent project. I never asked for royalties or other financial consideration for my cooperation and had no editing rights.

In fact, I never got to read the book until it was published and ready for market. So some of what they wrote, (mostly Ian Halperin) was not completely accurate, especially that garbage about the “Allen Wrench” character.