How Bad Brains Influenced The Foo Fighters

Join Darren Scott, Scott Coates, Alain Dupuis, and Scott Gregory on the Sonic Collective, a podcast where each month they dive deep into a different album or musical concept. This episode kicks off with a Canada Day celebration and takes you on a fascinating journey into how Bad Brains’ 1983 album “Rock for Light” influenced Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. Darren introduces the concept of exploring albums that have shaped other artists, revealing why Grohl cites Bad Brains as a major influence. Scott Gregory discovers the unique blend of hardcore punk and reggae in “Rock for Light,” appreciating the band’s raw energy and impact. Scott Coates was surprised by the varying songs and sounds from Bad Brains, and questioned if he was listening to the same album. Alain reflects on the Foo Fighters’ debut, noting its raw sound and Grohl’s incredible musicianship, recorded solo in just a week. The episode concludes with a discussion on Bad Brains’ legacy, breaking racial stereotypes, and enriching the listeners’ understanding of musical evolution and influence. Tune in for personal insights and a new appreciation for some of the greatest music of all time.

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Review of Nirvana: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah

Please read Alain DuPuis’ pick for Nirvana: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah before reading and listening to our reviews below.

Quick Summary: 

Nirvana: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah
  • Worth the hype?
  • Influence us and our tastes?
  • Would we recommend?
4

Summary and Overall Score

Alain’s pick this month took us back to the Grunge era. It turns out we were all already fans of Nirvana though none of us had ever really listened to this album. This album was a compilation of live recordings throughout Nirvana’s short lifespan of 1989 – 1994.
Though we all had some praise and did overall like this album there was some things we agreed were not great parts of this album. Listen to our reviews and then listen to the album yourself to see if you agree. As always, we would love to hear your comments.


Our Individual Review Scores
Darren Scott:
Overall opinion: 4.25
Would I recommend?: 4.5
Influenced my tastes: 4
Worth the hype? 4
Scott Coates:
Overall opinion: 3.5
Would I recommend?: 1
Influenced my tastes: 1
Worth the hype?: 1
Scott Gregory:
Overall opinion: 4
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 4
Worth the hype?4
Alain DuPuis:
Overall opinion: 4.5
Would I recommend?: 4
Influenced my tastes: 4
Worth the hype? 4.5

Nirvana: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah


 
The album we’re going to be reviewing this month is both live, and a compilation of sorts – a clear violation of the mandate The Sonic Collective set for ourselves when we formed our noble group a couple of years ago. I guess I am just feeling rebellious, and so too were the millions of people who fell in love with Nirvana’s infectious brand of alternative music.  Our pick for the month: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah.
About Nirvana:
When Nirvana arrived on the Seattle grunge scene in the late 1980s, the airwaves were filled with hair metal and new wave music. This formulaic, radio-friendly music didn’t appeal to a new generation of disenfranchised or just plain bored youth, who started leaning more towards the underground for their music. Nirvana was just one of many unknown indy-bands who were playing small gigs at the time. But the world would forever change after they signed on with a major label (DGC Records) and released their breakout album, Nevermind. It achieved an unexpected and unprecedented amount of success, suddenly vaulting the entire Seattle grunge scene onto the world’s radar. The direct result was the rise of alternative rock to become the new mainstream, and hold steadfast for the better part of a decade.
The band met a tragic end after frontman Kurt Cobain’s untimely death in 1994, but the legacy Nirvana left behind cannot be understated. Hailed as “The voice of a generation” by numerous publications, Nirvana’s breakthrough helped popularize Generation-X, slacker culture, and alternative music, forever changing the musical landscape.
About our pick:
In 1996, the surviving members of Nirvana released From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, a compilation of recordings taken from shows they played across the globe between the years 1989 to 1994.   It received positive critical reception, and is often considered the angsty and energetic antithesis to their most popular live album, MTV Unplugged in New York. The album’s title refers to the Wishkah River in Aberdeen, Washington, where Cobain spent time in his youth.
I’ve long been a fan of Nirvana, and I’m excited to delve into this album. Many of the songs will be familiar to me, but I’m eager to hear the difference a live recording makes. Cobain himself was very critical of how polished and cleaned up their studio albums sounded, so being able to hear the songs as he intended them to be heard is gonna be a real trip.
Enjoy From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah!
Listen to our review of this album here.