Kurt Cobain, singer, songwriter and guitarist of the rock band Nirvana, died on April 5, 1994.

If you’re too old to have cared about Nirvana, you might think “Big deal!” If you’re too young to have experienced the band at the height of its powers, you might love their recordings and own a T-shirt, and that’s great. (Seriously, have you seen all the Nirvana T-shirts on teenagers and twentysomethings these days?)

What’s coming up

Events this week in Central Oregon, April 1-5

But if you’re of a certain age and Nirvana was not just your favorite band but the band that opened for you a portal to a punk-rock underground culture that quite literally changed your life, then his death probably hit hard when it happened. And maybe it still does. And maybe you can’t believe he died 30 years ago.

Of course, all of the above and everyone in between are welcome Friday night at The Ale Apothecary in Bend, where a handful of local bands will pay tribute to the life and music of Cobain. Scheduled performers include Kid Wicked, Dead Nettle, The Bangers, Moon Rattles, Astronot, Johnny Bourbon, Jackrat and Vanderwalls.

Prepare to rock hard. (And maybe get a little lump in your throat, if you’re me.)

The (Co)bain of our Existence: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Kurt Cobain: 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 5, free, all ages, The Ale Apothecary, 30 SW Century Drive, Bend, 541-797-6265.