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.

The Cobain 50 is a music podcast hosted by KEXP, with 126 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

KEXP hosts The Cobain 50, a music show with 126 episodes published.

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  Episode #58

  Come As You Are: A Live Finale Episode

  May 2, 20251h 13mS2

  <p>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.</p> <p>Below find translations of the Spanish and Portuguese clips aired throughout the episode.</p> <p>Thank you to everyone who has supported our podcasts. We love you so much, it makes us sick.</p...

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  Episode #57

  Daniel Johnston – Yip/Jump Music (1983)

  Apr 23, 202550 minS2

  <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas<br>Written & Produced by: Martin Dougl...

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  Episode #56

  Half Japanese – We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love (1990)

  Apr 16, 202546 minS2

  <p>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. </p> <p>Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas<br>Written & Produced: Janice Headley<br>Mixed & Mastered: Matt Martin and Roddy Nikpour<br>Special thanks to Isabel Khalili and Larry Mizell Jr. </p><p>See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.</p>

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  Episode #55

  Butthole Surfers – Pee Pee the Sailor (1983) and Locust Abortion Technician (1987)

  Apr 9, 202534 minS2

  <p>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.</p> <p>Hosts: Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas<br>Audio...

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  Episode #54

  Swans – Young God (1984)

  Apr 2, 202531 minS2

  <p>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.</p> <p>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 co...

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