The Cobain 50

KEXP

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.

  • 4 minutes 21 seconds
    It's Christmas in Seattle: We'll Be Back in 2025!

    The Cobain 50 returns with new episodes January 8, 2025. We’re taking the month to rest with our families and listen to good music. We hope you’ll do the same! 

    In the meantime, let KEXP keep you company through the holidays with our other active podcast series, including: 

    • El Cancionero de Kurt, the Spanish-language companion podcast to The Cobain 50 (English subtitles available on YouTube)

    • A Deeper Listen, conversations with artists about the stories behind their new music

    • In Our Headphones, weekly music discovery through KEXP DJs and staff

    • Live on KEXP, world-famous in-studio performances recorded at KEXP

    Special thanks to everyone who has been part of The Cobain 50 in 2024, including: 

    Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Roddy Nikpour, Janice Headley, Isabel Khalili, Emily Fox, Larry Mizell Jr., Tia Ho, Leah Capindo, Jeia Villacis, Gisela Casa Madrid, and many other contributors and special guests.

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    4 December 2024, 7:00 am
  • 20 minutes 9 seconds
    Fang – Landshark! (1983)

    Disclaimer: This episode deals with topics including domestic abuse, drug use, and murder. 

    Dusty Henry dives into Landshark! by Fang. Vocalist Sam “Sammytown” McBride murdered his girlfriend Dixie Lee Carney in 1989. Since his release from prison in 1995, Fang has continued as a band, raising questions about the complicated ethics of which artists we choose to listen to. 

    Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
    Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 November 2024, 6:39 pm
  • 27 minutes 4 seconds
    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 Martin Douglas
    Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 November 2024, 7:00 am
  • 35 minutes 36 seconds
    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: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    13 November 2024, 7:00 am
  • 37 minutes 56 seconds
    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: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    6 November 2024, 7:00 am
  • 39 minutes 26 seconds
    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 Douglas
    Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 October 2024, 7:00 am
  • 42 minutes 26 seconds
    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 series of albums based on places that formed his identity. One of his formative memories includes moving to Seattle in 1991 — the same year when Nirvana released Nevermind

    Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    23 October 2024, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    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 record label and the same management company. 

    Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
    Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    16 October 2024, 7:00 am
  • 35 minutes 53 seconds
    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 y Ahora programming for Latinx Heritage Month, officially celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States.  

    Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
    Written + Produced: Janice Headley
    Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast Manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    9 October 2024, 7:00 am
  • 40 minutes 53 seconds
    Black Flag – Damaged (1981)

    Dusty Henry dives into Damaged by Black Flag. While we covered their sophomore album My War earlier 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 producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    2 October 2024, 7:00 am
  • 50 minutes 54 seconds
    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 world. 

    Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas
    Special thanks: Albina Cabrera, host of El Cancionero de Kurt
    Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour
    Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili
    Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 

    Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain

    00:00: Intro
    03:19: A reflection on the concept of ranking albums
    07:21: MTV and Nirvana at the center of a youth movement
    10:06: Nevermind as the gateway to Nirvana
    14:22: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" changed everything
    20:41: Nevermind shows us Kurt as a funny guy with a polished sound
    26:09: In Utero, the harsh response to Nevermind
    36:18: In Utero as Kurt's final word
    39:56: Despite our earlier remarks, we rank Nevermind and In Utero
    49:06: Credits

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 September 2024, 7:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App
© MoonFM 2024. All rights reserved.