The Cobain 50

KEXP
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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 of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    The Stooges – Raw Power (1973)

    Martin Douglas kicks off the series by diving into Raw Power by The Stooges. It's no surprise this is the first album on Kurt's list considering the muscular drumming, the dirty bass, and the way the guitar sounds like it’s on fire — all key elements for Nirvana's sound.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    The Pixies – Surfer Rosa (1988)

    Dusty Henry dives into Surfer Rosa by The Pixies. It's arguably the most influential "alternative music" album of the 90s — not just for Nirvana, but artists worldwide. Surfer Rosa was Nevermind before Nevermind.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    The Vaselines – Dying for It (1988)

    Janice Headley dives into Dying for It by The Vaselines (listed as Pink EP). By the time Nirvana began covering their songs, The Vaselines had broken up. It was Kurt’s love for the Scottish indie-pop duo that reunited the pair and lifted them out of obscurity.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten + Produced: Janice Headley Mixed + Mastered: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    18 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Roundtable: What Do The Stooges, Pixies, and The Vaselines Have in Common?

    In the inaugural roundtable of our series, Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera dive into Kurt Cobain's list. Although it features a lot of traditional punk music, the list traversed many genres in a time when music fans were more accustomed to "staying in their lane."  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain 00:00: Intro06:09: Reflecting on Kurt’s list11:30: The Stooges – Raw Power18:15: The Vaselines – Dying for It25:14: Pixies – Surfer Rosa29:36: El Cancionero de Kurt35:55: The common thread between these bands40:45: Credits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    The Clash – Combat Rock (1982)

    On this International Clash Day, Dusty Henry dives into Combat Rock by The Clash. Their music reminds us not to tolerate the injustice that the world throws at us.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Bad Brains – Rock for Light (1983)

    Martin Douglas dives into Rock for Light by Bad Brains. It's a story of how Black punks from one Washington (D.C.) influenced punk in the other Washington (state).  Link to article mentioned in the final segment: https://afropunk.com/2019/02/bhm-the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-a-queer-bad-brains-fan/  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    MDC – Millions of Dead Cops (1981)

    Dusty Henry dives into Millions of Dead Cops by MDC, a prime example of the powerful fusion between hardcore punk and politics. Their frontman Dave Dictor was the anti-John Wayne.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

    Dusty Henry dives into It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy, the voice of what was really happening in America, particularly within Black communities. With their ferocious sound and in-your-face spirit, it's no wonder they resonated with Kurt.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producer: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
See All Season 2 (49)

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About

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 of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

Information

  • Creator
    KEXP
  • Episodes
    100
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Cobain 50

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