The Cobain 50
The Cobain 50
Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories…Social links:
Saccharine Trust – Paganicons (1981)
Martin Douglas dives into Paganicons by Saccharine Trust. Written in Kurt’s list as “1st EP,” Saccharine Trust’s debut is one of the most original releases from the SST catalog, which also includes punk classics like Black Flag, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, and many others. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Mar…
27:04
Fear – The Record (1982)
Roddy Nikpour dives into The Record by Fear. Known for an infamous Saturday Night Live performance littered with slam dancers, Fear sings from a grotesque vantage point to call out injustice through “punk irony.” Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager:…
35:36
Tales of Terror – Tales of Terror (1984)
Dusty Henry dives into Tales of Terror by Tales of Terror. Their run was short and marked with tragedy, but their influence has kept their music alive for generations — from the local Sacramento scene to other bands like Mudhoney and Nirvana. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producers:…
37:55
Nirvana's MTV Unplugged Turns 30
Friday, November 1, 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s live album, MTV Unplugged in New York. This week, Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas set the stage and bring us some of their favorite moments from this iconic stripped-back performance. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Doug…
39:25
Bonus: A Deeper Listen with Pedro the Lion
The Cobain 50 returns October 30 celebrating the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York. This week, we're sharing a conversation featured on another KEXP podcast, A Deeper Listen. Dusty Henry spoke with David Bazan about Pedro the Lion's latest album, the third in a five-part ser…
42:26
Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)
Martin Douglas dives into Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth. When it comes to art punk, indie rock, or alternative rock, there are few bands more widely influential than Sonic Youth, who were also directly involved with Nirvana’s emergence into the mainstream. The bands were signed to both the same re…
1:31:19
Mazzy Star – She Hangs Brightly (1990)
Janice Headley dives into She Hangs Brightly by Mazzy Star. Born from California's Paisley Underground scene, the group is distinguished by the languid vocal style of Hope Sandoval, a Mexican-American songwriter who came into the spotlight in the 1990s. This episode is part of KEXP's monthlong Aquí…
35:53
Black Flag – Damaged (1981)
Dusty Henry dives into Damaged by Black Flag. While we covered their sophomore album My Warearlier in this series, Black Flag’s debut album introduces us to one of its most prominent singers: Henry Rollins, who ushered in one of the band’s boldest eras. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio…
40:53
Revisiting Nevermind and In Utero
During KEXP's fall fund drive, we're celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind and the 31st anniversary of In Utero. Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera share a tale of two albums — one polished, one gritty — including the music's impact on them personally and across the w…
50:54
Gang of Four – Entertainment! (1979)
Roddy Nikpour dives into the album Entertainment! by Gang of Four. They are the antiheroes of pop music, writing poignant lyrics that denounce the ideals of capitalism, accompanied by guitar riffs that are as choppy as they are danceable. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producer: Rodd…
22:14