The Cobain 50

This episode marks the end of The Cobain 50 and El Cancionero de Kurt. After going through all 50 albums from Kurt’s list, we celebrated with an event in KEXP’s Gathering Space with a packed house of fans of Nirvana and the podcast to reflect on the series, what it’s meant to us, and what we’ve learned going through all of this music. Below find translations of the Spanish and Portuguese clips aired throughout the episode. Thank you to everyone who has supported our podcasts. We love you so much, it makes us sick. CLIP #1: Luis Carlos Calanca: “Maybe it made him explode, again in Brazil and worldwide it was Kurt Cobain when the band Nirvana came here. Months later, when Kurt Cobain saw them here, he started saying that the band was sensational. And then all the kids wanted to know about Os Mutantes. Lucinha Barbosa: “That’s how, word of mouth, I think, until '98, the big ones started to pay attention because there was no one to stay, no major record company that advertised didn't have that exactly through the fans themselves, word by word.” CLIP #2: José Bellas: Yes, that's right.The next day interviews were scheduled. I had to interview Dave Grohl. and I spent some time before the show at the house of one… one of the two managers of Los Brujos that was Alejandro Almada and he gave me a record for them. I took it there and I gave it to him (Dave). Anyway, another thing that was going around was that, during Los Brujos' soundcheck, Grohl showed up  and went to backtages singing the song, people were saying that before Nirvana went on. CLIP #3: Jorge Francisco Soto Flores: Seattle could be any city in Chile. Seattle is a remote place, a rainy place, a place of forests. We (Chileans) are the end of the world, we are the outsiders. We have barriers that could be the Andes Mountains, the desert, the ice, the Pacific Ocean… It happened at a specific time in the 90s. We were returning to a pseudo-democracy. There is also something about representation with the lyrics in every aspect from pessimism now knowing what is going to happen next and also added to to the fact that Chileans love rock music. They are fans of rock and metal. What reason is there for people to be so fanatical about Chris Cornell that here is a god? About Cobain who is a god; that Eddie Vedder, who is a god; Mark Lineman who is a god. I think that’s the only explanation. I don’t see any other, honestly.   Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasRecorded by: Brandon FitzsimmonsAudio Produced by: Julian Martlew and Dusty Henry Mixed and Mastered by: Matt MartinSpecial thanks to: Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On our penultimate episode—and the final album on Kurt Cobain’s list—Martin Douglas dives into Yip/Jump Music by Daniel Johnston. Johnston rose from obscurity by self-recording (and self-dubbing) his own tapes and handing them out at McDonald’s, eventually finding a massive audience after Cobain was repeatedly spotted wearing a t-shirt featuring the cover of Hi, How Are You. Live in Seattle? Join us in the KEXP Gathering Space on April 26, 2025, for our Come As You Are live finale event. Details here. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten & Produced by: Martin DouglasMixed & Mastered by: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourSpecial thanks to: Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janice Headley chats with frontman and co-founder Jad Fair for this in-depth look at the Half Japanese album We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love. Plus, KEXP presents the world premiere of “Lemonade Sunset,” the first single off the next Half Japanese album coming out this July via Fire Records.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten & Produced: Janice HeadleyMixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourSpecial thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of The Cobain 50, Dusty Henry digs deep into the two Butthole Surfers albums from Kurt’s list – Pee Pee The Sailor (also known as their self-titled debut EP) and Locust Abortion Technician. In one of the more expletive ridden artists on the list, we hear about the band’s story from underground legends to surprising mainstream success. Butthole Surfers pushed the envelope from just their name alone through their storied live performances and some of the most fiercely experimental and artistically free music of their era. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode, Dusty Henry digs into one of the more caustic bands on Kurt’s list – Swan’s and their 1984 EP, Young God. The band has one of the more abrasive sounds and stories on the list, making for a release that’s not for the faint of heart but vastly influential on industrial music. Disclaimer: This episode deals with topics including abuse, domestic violence, and rape. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or sexual violence, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) in the United States or seek the corresponding support service in your country. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Cobain 50, we share one last bonus episode before we hit the final stretch of albums on Kurt Cobain’s top albums list. Ray Farrell may not be a familiar name to most, but he’s worked with many of the artists and labels we’ve talked about on the list: from SST and Rough Trade to Geffen Records, Sonic Youth to Wipers, Farrell has been through it all. He shares with us stories from his time in the industry, as well as some memories of talking records with Kurt himself. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Cobain 50, we’re taking a quick break from our regularly scheduled programming to share an interview with another Seattle music icon – Matt Cameron. Cameron is the drummer for legendary groups Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Before then he played in the influential Seattle bands Bam Bam, Skin Yard, and Temple of the Dog. In this interview with Emily Fox, which originally aired on KEXP’s A Deeper Listen podcast, Cameron talks about his career and how he’s been able to keep at it for more than 40 years. Learn more about Bam Bam: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2021/3/2/tina-bell-unsung-goddess-grunge/o0 Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roddy Nikpour speaks with Josh Modell about It’s Only Right and Natural by The Frogs. By modern standards, The Frogs created cancel-able album after cancel-able album. Somehow, though, their punk innovation outshined controversy, catching attention from Eddie Vetter of Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, and so many others. The Frogs inspired weirdo art everywhere — including Kurt Cobain’s “Montage of Heck” home recordings. Modell is co-directing a forthcoming documentary about The Frogs titled after this album: It’s Only Right and Natural.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Records? might not be a household name, but the small Los Angeles-based punk label had a cascading effect on punk-yet-to-come. Dusty Henry digs into this somewhat obscure compilation from Kurt Cobain’s albums list which features deep cuts from L.A.’s punk scene, including bands like The Controllers, KAOS, and The Germs (which featured future Nirvana bandmate Pat Smear). We also hear about the records founder Chris Ashford’s journey from record store clerk to key figure in building L.A. punk’s scene.    Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten & Produced: Dusty HenryMixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourSpecial thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janice Headley talks with Stuart Moxham of Young Marble Giants about Colossal Youth. This album from the Welsh post-punk trio may seem like a surprising entry on Kurt's list given its minimalist instrumentation, but these bands shared a similar disdain for the spotlight.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten & Produced: Janice HeadleyMixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy NikpourSpecial thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas dive into The Faith/Void Split by The Faith and Void. In our last entry from the D.C. punk scene, we relive the youthful spirit that drove these bands to make their mark.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry, Matt Martin, and Roddy NikpourSpecial thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Douglas dives into Album – Generic Flipper by Flipper. Despite the name, their debut album is anything but generic. Krist Novoselic (who briefly joined the band in the 2000s) described this Bay Area band as “proto-grunge.” Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourSpecial thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following KEXP's recent event celebrating The Gits and Martin Douglas's recent Throwaway Style newsletter, we want to tell you more about these contemporaries of Kurt Cobain.  The Gits were an early '90s Seattle band. Sub Pop Records recently launched a campaign to rerelease remastered versions of The Gits’ catalogue. So much of the band’s story has been wrapped around the 1993 rape and murder of The Gits frontwoman Mia Zapata. Late last year at KEXP’s Gathering Space, our colleague Emily Fox spoke with The Gits guitarist Andy Kessler and bassist Matt Dresdner about the band’s legacy and the life of Mia.  Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janice Headley dives into Eternally Yours by The Saints. (In his list, Kurt wrote the name of a single from the album, “Know Your Product.”) This is the story of how The Saints brought punk from “down under,” featuring exclusive insights from founding guitarist Ed Kuepper and Mudhoney’s Mark Arm, who has been filling in for the late Saints frontman Chris Bailey in recent shows. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasWritten and produced by: Janice HeadleyAudio mixing and mastering: Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dusty Henry dives into the self-titled debut from Scratch Acid. This vein of — ahem — “alternative music” helped Nirvana in their own quest to balance abrasiveness with structure. (In the outro, Dusty works in a reference to Charli XCX, effectively dubbing this podcast "brat." We also have some special shoutouts.)  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Douglas dives into The Flowers of Romance by Public Image Ltd. After he left the Sex Pistols in 1978, John Lydon created Public Image Ltd. under the influence of dub, resulting in experimental music that was just about as accessible to mainstream audiences as Kurt Cobain’s Montage of Heck recordings (which is to say, not very accessible at all).  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back! This week, Dusty Henry dives into the self-titled debut from Rites of Spring. They represent the earliest iteration of “emo” music, proving that it would never be just a phase. "Emo" still exists in waves that ripple to this day.  Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.  Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 DouglasAudio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 DouglasAudio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy NikpourPodcast manager: Isabel KhaliliEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.