Martin Douglas dives into Jamboree by Beat Happening. Hailing from Olympia, Washington, the trio lived and breathed the punk rock ideology. Cofounder Calvin Johnson released the band’s albums on a label he founded, the iconic K Records, which practically turned indie music into a religion. 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....
Jun 19, 2024•57 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas dive into the three albums by the Portland band Wipers, the band with the most entries on Kurt's list (unless you count "anything by Kleenex"). Greg Sage's melodic punk riffs not only inspired Nirvana, but also other Northwest bands before them, including The Melvins and Mudhoney. 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/cob...
Jun 12, 2024•42 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast Dusty Henry dives into Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney, whose debut represents the culmination of ideas that we now categorize as “grunge.” Nirvana picked up the grunge baton from Mudhoney and carried it to the finish line. 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....
Jun 05, 2024•48 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast In this special bonus episode, we break format away from Kurt Cobain and Nirvana and look at the legacy of Soundgarden from the lens of founding member and original bassist Hiro Yamamoto. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Soundgarden’s formation — starting with Yamamoto and Chris Cornell in Yamamoto’s basement. While Yamamoto was there from the beginning, he left the band of his own accord just as they were about to have mainstream success. He went on to perform with bands like Truly and S...
May 31, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, and Janice Headley discuss the idea of "punk" through the lens of four bands. Each of them provides a distinctive approach to punk both as a genre and as a mindset. Nirvana is named as one of the core bands of 1991, "the year punk broke." 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 00:00: Intro 01:21: What is punk? 05:07: T...
May 29, 2024•45 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast Larry Mizell Jr. dives into My War by Black Flag. This proto-punk sophomore album upset the fast-paced expectations of hardcore by slowing it down, complete with all-out screams confessing deep-seated emotion. This sound set the precedent for Seattle's famous grunge sound. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Written by: Larry Mizell Jr. Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 22, 2024•31 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Martin Douglas dives into Philosophy of the World by The Shaggs. As prophesied by a palm reading, this band of sisters from a small town in New Hampshire would become famous. However, nobody could have predicted the band's "intriguing" sound — or whether they would actually have a fun time performing music. 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/coba...
May 15, 2024•32 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast Dusty Henry dives into Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols by the Sex Pistols. They set the stage for mainstream views of punk in terms of style, substance, and attitude. 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....
May 08, 2024•48 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Kicking off KEXP's month-long Pushing Boundaries celebration, Martin Douglas and Janice Headley dive into Shonen Knife’s Burning Farm , which was released in America by Olympia, Washington’s own K Records. Founding members Naoko and Atsuko Yamano share stories of touring with Nirvana in 1991. Plus, we celebrate this Osaka-based trio’s 40-year history of songs about food, animals, and toys. Special thanks to Yuko Headley for translation assistance. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Producers:...
May 01, 2024•30 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast The Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985. This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: In Our Headphones, the evolution of our longstanding Song of the Day podcast. Hosted by Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili, this weekly interview series features KEXP DJs sharing their new favorite music. You'll hear the backstory about each artist and song, as well as each DJ’s personal connection to the music. Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain Se...
Apr 24, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Cobain 50 returns May 1 with Shonen Knife's Burning Farm (K Records version) from 1985. This week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: A Deeper Listen , where Emily Fox and other storytellers at KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way. Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Apr 17, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, Janice Headley, and Roddy Nikpour explore some of the women-led bands on Kurt's list, Kurt's feminism, and the very notion of grouping bands together based on gender identity. 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....
Apr 10, 2024•47 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode, marking 30 years since Kurt's death, we recorded a roundtable "love letter" at the Kurt Cobain Memorial Bench in Viretta Park in Seattle, where Kurt is said to have written some of his lyrics. We'll also hear from contemporary bands and music industry workers about the impact that Kurt had on them. Hosts: Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Albina Cabrera Audio producers: Dusty Henry and Roddy Nikpour Audio production support: Isabel Khalili Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili ...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Martin Douglas dives into the legacy of the Swiss band Kleenex, later known as LiLiPUT. Kurt's list doesn't specify a particular album from Kleenex. Their entire discography is just that good, marrying the worlds of Dada art and punk rock. 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....
Apr 03, 2024•26 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Janice Headley dives into the legacy of The Raincoats, whose self-titled 1979 debut album inspired both Nirvana and the ‘90s riot grrrl scene. We also hear from Gina Birch, cofounder of The Raincoats, as well as Jenn Pelly, author of a book on the band as part of the 33⅓ series. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio Producer: Janice Headley Mixed & Mastered: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnys...
Mar 27, 2024•23 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast Martin Douglas dives into Cut by The Slits (written in Kurt's list as "Typical Girls," the lead single from the album). They were one of the very first punk bands made up mostly of women, and their style incorporated elements from reggae and dub. Despite their innovation, the members of the Slits had to withstand a brutally misogynistic culture for it to actually mean something in the long term. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Written + Produced: Martin Douglas Mixed + Mastered: Roddy Nikp...
Mar 20, 2024•36 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Roddy Nikpour dives into Dry by PJ Harvey. She’s a grunge pioneer carrying on Kurt’s spirit through her own ongoing legacy. She was one of his close peers — so much so that Dave Grohl has invited her to fill in for Kurt to perform Nirvana songs. As part of Women's History Month, our next three episodes will cover some of the other women-fronted bands on Kurt's list, including The Slits, The Raincoats, and Kleenex. Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manage...
Mar 13, 2024•28 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, Albina Cabrera, and Larry Mizell Jr. explore four albums on Kurt's list that challenged the politics of their time through the lenses of punk and hip-hop. 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 00:00: Intro 01:24: The impact of 1980s politics on punk 11:26: The war on drugs in America and abroad 19:20: Ska punk via Jamaica 24:46: Kurt...
Mar 06, 2024•45 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 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 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....
Feb 28, 2024•29 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast 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 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....
Feb 21, 2024•30 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Douglas Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystud...
Feb 14, 2024•39 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 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 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....
Feb 07, 2024•36 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Douglas Audio producer: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain 00:00: Intro 06:09: Reflecting on Kurt’s list...
Jan 31, 2024•41 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast 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 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...
Jan 24, 2024•18 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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 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....
Jan 17, 2024•29 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 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 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 pr...
Jan 10, 2024•24 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Each week, The Cobain 50 will dig into Kurt Cobain's famous list of his top 50 albums and how those artists influenced the sound of Nirvana. It’s also a chance to dig into the individual histories of the albums on the list, spotlighting both artists on the fringes and some of the biggest groups of all time. The list will take 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. Hosts: Dusty He...
Jan 03, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Martin Douglas concludes the series with a visit back to 2022 with the track “Pollo Rico” by billy woods. It’s a deeply intimate track, and the themes are almost as dense as the smoke that inspired him. Plus, host Larry Mizell Jr. sends us off with some parting thoughts. Written by Martin Douglas. Audio production by Roddy Nikpour. Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili. Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 27, 2023•11 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast Janice Headley revisits the Cedar Park Jams, which kicked off in the spring of 1974. At this point, DJ Kool Herc’s parties became so popular that they outgrew his apartment on Sedgwick Avenue. Written by Janice Headley Audio production by Janice Headley Mixed and mastered by Roddy Nikpour Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili. Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 20, 2023•9 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast Larry Mizell Jr. talks with DJ Supreme La Rock about the original way for compiling and sharing music in hip-hop's early days: "old school tapes." Thanks to global distribution via military deployment, they became foundational for hip-hop culture around the world. Interview by Larry Mizell Jr. Audio production by Roddy Nikpour. Podcast managed by Isabel Khalili. Support the podcast: kexp.org/50hiphop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 18, 2023•22 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast