To anyone who holed themselves up in a bunker from 1991-1994, thus missing out on Nirvana's rise to iconic status, the band's 1993 “MTV Unplugged in New York” performance might seem like nothing more than some sweater-clad Seattle guys belting out acoustic tunes before a handful of adoring fans.

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THE RUNDOWN WHAT: Nirvana “MTV Unplugged in New York” DVD WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 20 HIGHLIGHTS: “Come As You Are,” “Something in the Way,” “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”

But to anyone who bothered to turn on a TV set or a radio during that three-year span, the “Unplugged” performance — filmed on Nov. 18, 1993, in New York City — ranks as one of the most storied and revered performances in recent rock history.

The set, which aired on Dec. 14, 1993, roughly four months before Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain committed suicide, not only stands as the trio's most famous performance, but perhaps their most transcendent.

Nirvana was already considered the foremost pioneer of the grunge movement, but thanks to its “Unplugged” show, the band established itself as one capable of performing an intimate set that shed all pretense of screaming, loud guitars and everything else the movement represented.

Now, 14 years after the show helped immortalize Cobain and Nirvana, the band's “Unplugged” performance is being released in its entirety on DVD on Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Included in the DVD extras are an MTV News “Bare Witness” documentary featuring band and fan interviews, and rehearsal footage of five songs, including “Come as You Are” and “Plateau.”

CLINT HALE | 210SA