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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 fa

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New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 39 min
Latest: 2 May 2025
Language: English

Latest episode

2 May 2025 · 1 hr 13 min

Come As You Are: A Live Finale Episode

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…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S2 · E57 · 23 Apr 2025 · 50 min
Daniel Johnston – Yip/Jump Music (1983)
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 Douglas Written & Produced by:…
S2 · E56 · 16 Apr 2025 · 46 min
Half Japanese – We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love (1990)
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 Douglas Written & Produced: Janice Headley Mixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · E55 · 9 Apr 2025 · 34 min
Butthole Surfers – Pee Pee the Sailor (1983) and Locust Abortion Technician (1987)
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…
S2 · E54 · 2 Apr 2025 · 31 min
Swans – Young God (1984)
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…
S2 · 26 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Bonus: Ray Farrell’s Journey Through Indie and Major Labels
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 Douglas Audio producers: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour Podcast…
S2 · 19 Mar 2025 · 42 min
Bonus: A Deeper Listen with Matt Cameron
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:…
S2 · E53 · 12 Mar 2025 · 33 min
The Frogs - It's Only Right and Natural (1989)
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 .…
S2 · E52 · 5 Mar 2025 · 38 min
What Records? - What Is It. (Compilation) (1982)
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 Douglas Written & Produced: Dusty…
S2 · E51 · 26 Feb 2025 · 37 min
Young Marble Giants – Colossal Youth (1980)
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 Douglas Written & Produced: Janice Headley Mixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · E50 · 19 Feb 2025 · 38 min
The Faith and Void – The Faith/Void Split LP (1982)
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 Douglas Audio producers: Dusty Henry, Matt Martin, and Roddy Nikpour Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · E49 · 12 Feb 2025 · 39 min
Flipper – Album – Generic Flipper (1982)
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 Douglas Audio producers: Martin Douglas and Roddy Nikpour Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · 5 Feb 2025 · 32 min
Bonus: The Gits on Sound & Vision Live
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…
S2 · E48 · 29 Jan 2025 · 39 min
The Saints – Eternally Yours (1978)
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 Douglas Written and produced by: Janice Headley Audio mixing and mastering: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell…
S2 · E47 · 22 Jan 2025 · 38 min
Scratch Acid – Scratch Acid (1984)
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 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.
S2 · E46 · 15 Jan 2025 · 51 min
Public Image Ltd. – The Flowers of Romance (1981)
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 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…
S2 · E45 · 8 Jan 2025 · 41 min
Rites of Spring – Rites of Spring (1985)
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 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.
S2 · 4 Dec 2024 · 4 min
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…
S2 · E44 · 29 Nov 2024 · 20 min
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…
S2 · E43 · 20 Nov 2024 · 27 min
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.
S2 · E42 · 13 Nov 2024 · 36 min
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.
S2 · E41 · 6 Nov 2024 · 38 min
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.
S2 · E40 · 30 Oct 2024 · 39 min
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.
S2 · 23 Oct 2024 · 42 min
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.
S2 · E39 · 16 Oct 2024 · 1 hr 31 min
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.
S2 · E38 · 9 Oct 2024 · 36 min
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.…
S2 · E37 · 2 Oct 2024 · 41 min
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.
S2 · E36 · 25 Sep 2024 · 51 min
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…
S2 · E35 · 18 Sep 2024 · 22 min
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: Roddy Nikpour Podcast manager: Isabel Khalili Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Support the podcast: kexp.org/cobain See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 · E34 · 11 Sep 2024 · 41 min
The Breeders – Pod (1990)
Janice Headley dives into Pod by The Breeders. Their debut album really lets Kim Deal shine outside of her role in The Pixies. The Breeders influenced generations of artists, including Kurt Cobain, who invited the band to open for Nirvana twice during their touring career. Hosts: Dusty Henry & 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.

About The Cobain 50

The Cobain 50 is a English music podcast from KEXP. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: KEXP
Language: English
Category: Music
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 39 min
Latest episode: 2 May 2025
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1667648172

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