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.

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The Cobain 50 Episodes

Roddy Nikpour dives into The Record by Fear. Fear sings from a grotesque vantage point to call out injustice through “punk irony.” 

Dusty Henry dives into Tales of Terror by Tales of Terror. Their run was short, but their influence has kept their music alive for generations.

Friday, November 1, 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s live album MTV Unplugged in New York.

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 influenti…

Janice Headley dives into She Hangs Brightly by Mazzy Star, as part of KEXP's monthlong Aquí y Ahora programming.

Dusty Henry dives into Damaged by Black Flag, which introduces us to one of its most prominent singers: Henry Rollins.

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 acr…

Roddy Nikpour dives into the album Entertainment! by Gang of Four.

This week, Janice Headley dives into Pod by The Breeders. Their debut album really lets Kim Deal shine outside of her role in The Pixies.

KEXP digs into Kurt Cobain's relationship with the "classic rock canon" and how he interpreted it through Nirvana.

Martin Douglas dives into Lead Belly's Last Sessions.

Dusty Henry dives into Rocks by Aerosmith.