Behind the Music: '90s Alt-Rock with Greg Prato

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Behind the Music: '90s Alt-Rock with Greg Prato
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Greg Prato, music journalist & author of Alternative for the Masses: The ‘90s Alt-Rock Revolution, An Oral History

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Main Theme

This episode is a lively exploration of 1990s alternative rock, focused on the scene’s diversity, evolution, and iconic personalities. Through Kennedy’s banter with rock journalist Greg Prato—whose new book captures many voices from the era—the episode delves into why the 90s alt-rock revolution mattered, which artists shaped its path, and how its legacy has aged. Expect anecdotes, debates about bands and albums, behind-the-scenes tidbits from MTV’s heyday, and reflections on music industry quirks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Genesis and Scope of “Alternative for the Masses”

• Greg’s Process & Approach (00:45–03:25):
  • Interviewed over 750 people; wanted to go beyond the traditional Nirvana-dominated story.
  • Sought to “put the spotlight on some of the other bands that don’t get mentioned as much as Nirvana, like Shudder to Think, Grant Lee Buffalo, Lush, Belly, Urban Dance Squad...” (Greg, 03:10)
  • Kennedy jokes about her own contributions and about reading her Metallica quote in the book.

The Momentous Shift in 1991

• The Alt-Rock Explosion (01:50–02:09):
  • Both Kennedy and Greg recall how transformative 1991 was—"I don’t think we could have realized how monumental... that the end of that year was for music and what a transformation it would be." (Kennedy, 02:09)

Beyond Nirvana: A Broader View of ‘90s Alt-Rock

• Other Influential Bands (02:17–03:30):
  • Discussed Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Blind Melon, Primus, Rocket from the Crypt, and more.
  • Kennedy admits her enduring love for Rocket from the Crypt, joking about almost flashing a tattoo (03:04).

The Personal and Emotional Connection to the Era

• Growing Up with the Music (04:00–05:21):
  • Greg reflects on buying records the day they dropped, seeing pivotal shows, and how the era’s singers left a mark.
  • “I was of the age that I went to the record store to buy Superunknown the day it came out, I got to see the OK Computer tour...” (Greg, 04:40)

The Tragedy of Talent Lost

• On Early Deaths (05:39–07:42):
  • Recalled the heartbreaking stories of vocalists like Shannon Hoon, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, Jeff Buckley, Scott Weiland.
  • Kennedy and Greg agree that Shannon Hoon’s death “felt very personal” (06:59).
  • Greg draws parallels with the 1960s/70s losses: “Every era has their... Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Graham Parsons, Jim Morrison...” (Greg, 07:42)

The Unique MTV Era and Its Influence

• Discovering Bands (12:07–15:16):
  • MTV shows 120 Minutes and Alternative Nation were crucial for discovering new music: "That was like our Spotify or our YouTube...” (Greg, 12:18)
  • Kennedy recalls behind-the-scenes stories, the riotous Get Late with Kennedy pilot, and early encounters with future music icons and comedians.

On Genre Identity, Copycats, and Authenticity

• Originality vs. Copycats (09:50–10:45):
  • “Every band had to sound original... as the 90s go on, then suddenly you get all these fourth-generation Nirvana ripoffs.” (Greg, 09:50)
  • The discussion turns to bands that followed as generic successors, with historic parallels to Van Halen and The Beatles.

The Drug Narrative and Media

• Reporting and Rumors (11:15–12:07):
  • Kennedy and Greg consider whether the notoriety around drugs in the ‘90s was unique or part of a cycle.
  • “Was it more reported on? Not so much glorified, but definitely reported about a lot more, I think...” (Greg, 11:30)

Personal Highlights and Behind-the-Scenes Details

• Favorite Bands and Shows (16:11–21:58, 27:01–28:08):

  • Kennedy: Beastie Boys, No Doubt, San Diego bands (Rocket from the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu), New York Hardcore scene.
  • Greg: Soundgarden, Faith No More, Blind Melon (“the album Soup is my favorite 90s alt-rock album”).
  • Both reminisce about formative concerts—CBGB gigs, seeing big bands as they were breaking out.
  • “There’s been few shows where just, like, your mind is blown. Like, things look differently when you come out of the show...” (Greg, 19:48)

• Anecdotes:

  • Courtney Love at the VMAs smearing Kennedy’s lipstick: “I was like, you are such a C word.” (Kennedy, 18:00)
  • Kennedy’s early years as an MTV VJ, hiring stories, and lack of real programming influence.
  • Matt Pinfield’s health struggles and lasting passion for music (“He’s like Rasputin… That pure stoke just keeps him going.” (Kennedy, 25:53))
  • Candlebox, Bush, and re-evaluations of ‘mainstream’ 90s acts in light of today’s music

Notable Interview Subjects from the Book

• Difficult Gets and Standouts (22:19–24:00):
  • Ian MacKaye’s clarification of industry rumors and label offers.
  • Steve Albini, one of his last interviews before passing.
  • Moby, Fred Armisen, Matt Sweeney, and the meta-relationship between MTV and artists.

Closing Remarks

• Book as a Snapshot of the Era (28:08–28:35):
  • Greg: “This book is almost like a Kennedy history lesson… This is a must-have for people that are…”
  • Kennedy: “If you want to save the world, get Alternative for the Masses.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Isn’t it funny that the worse Metallica got, the more popular they became?” (Greg, 01:07)
• “The thing is, she [Madonna] was like, you need to read more books. It’ll help your lyrics. And he was like, oh, what books were you reading when you wrote Like a Virgin?” (Kennedy recalling Kevin Martin’s Madonna story, 16:31)
• “Courtney Love... had intensity that is unmatched. Like, there’s so much emotion in her voice when she latches onto you like a laser. It is fascinating and terrifying at the same time.” (Kennedy, 18:25–18:36)
• “You had a whole chapter on 120 and Alternative [Nation].” (Kennedy, 28:25)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:45 – Greg describes writing 50+ books, including Alternative for the Masses
• 02:09 – Kennedy and Greg reflect on the transformative impact of 1991 in rock
• 03:04 – Kennedy almost flashes her Rocket from the Crypt tattoo
• 04:40 – Greg on seeing legendary records/shows as they happened
• 07:03–07:42 – The tragic roster of lost 90s singers
• 09:50 – On the “copycat” wave that followed the alt-rock boom
• 12:18 – MTV’s impact on music discovery, and Kennedy’s personal reminiscences
• 18:00 – Kennedy’s story about Courtney Love at the 1993 VMAs
• 22:19–24:00 – Hardest interviews for the book (Ian MacKaye, Steve Albini), highlights with Moby and Fred Armisen
• 27:01 – Kennedy’s own favorite bands & concert memories
• 28:08 – Book as a Kennedy history lesson; must-own for '90s alt fans

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Episode Tone & Language

Fast-paced, witty, and highly nostalgic, the episode is filled with good-natured teasing, music nerdery, and genuine warmth between host and guest. Kennedy keeps the mood light and self-deprecating, while Greg provides detailed, passionate context for the era. Both geek out over deep-cut bands and share personal stories.

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Summary

This episode is an essential listen for anyone who loves ‘90s alt-rock or wants to understand why that decade remains so resonant. Rich with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, band rivalries, MTV lore, and thoughtful reflection, Kennedy and Greg Prato pay tribute to the era’s complexity and its cast of unforgettable characters. Alternative for the Masses is recommended as both a nostalgia trip and a deep dive into the unsung stories behind a cultural revolution.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

Hello and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. This is the. The year for 90s alt rock books. And this is a fantastic one. It is an oral history alternative for the masses. The 90s alt rock revolution, an oral history by Greg Prado. And Greg interviewed me along with about 750 other people for the book. And Greg is here now. Rock journalist, freelance writer, Long island native.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And you've written many, many 50 books.

[B]

Too many books. 51. I actually did a book after this, if you could believe that. Wow. Yeah. So I'm a very hardworking gentleman.

[A]

So the people you got for this book, I thought was a really cool and interesting collection. You include. Well, yeah. Come on. I mean, I read some of my quotes. I was like, I always sound like such a knob when. Whenever I talk about things, and I'm sure everyone is like their own worst critic. But I did like the quote that I had about Metallica in there.

[B]

Yes, I love that quote.

[A]

Yeah. Looking at the Seattle Soy Boys, isn't.

[B]

It funny that the worse Metallica got, the more popular they became?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's odd. I don't know how that happened, but somehow it happened. Right.

[A]

So is the Black Album a punk rock album?

[B]

I do. I'm only a Cliff Burton guy with Metallica.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, and what's weird is, like, everyone I know, all my friends, is all we listen to is that we don't listen to the Black Album. Anything after that. I don't know. But yet they could still sell out the Sahara Desert. So I don't know how that works.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

I don't know how that works.

[A]

The same with Pearl Jam. Like most Pearl Jam fans are like, yeah, I listened to the album after 10.

[B]

A little bit Chili Peppers. Yeah. Right. I mean, after Blood Sugar Sucks Magic.

[A]

No, but John Frusciante has written so many incredible. Like, all the best Chili Pepper songs are his songs.

[B]

I agree. He is very, very talented.

[A]

Almost doesn't matter what Anthony's voice sounds like. But so much of your. It really explodes in 1991. And, you know, when. When you and I are the same age, as you pointed out when you walked in, I don't think we could have realized how monumental.

[B]

No.

[A]

That the end of that year was for music and what a transformation it would be. And, you know, that's really where your book begins.

[B]

Yes. Well, you know, one thing I want to do with this book. I don't know how you feel about this, but when you see a lot of documentaries and read books about bands from this era. A lot of people would like to. Would like you to believe that Nirvana came along out of nowhere, changed everything. For the few years Kurt Cobain was with us, it was like paradise. Then he died, then it kind of just faded away. But there were so many bands that I loved just as much as Nirvana, if not more. And I want to say I love Nirvana. Nirvana is one of my favorite bands. But there were so many other bands that I loved just as much and that I listened to probably more than Nirvana up to this day. Like the first two Smashing Pumpkins albums. Soundgarden, Blind Melon with Shannon Hoon, Primus, Meet Puppets, etcetera, etcetera. Etc. I know for you, in the book, you said Rocket from the Crypt is. Yes. So, I mean, still my favorite band. Yeah. So, I mean, of course, still very happy to.

[A]

Oh, wait. Oh, I almost showed my coolie. Okay.

[B]

You actually, you actually mentioned that in the book. You said that you had a tattoo.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

Yes. Yes. So, yeah. So. So what I want to do with this book is I wanted to kind of put the spotlight on some of the other bands that don't get mentioned as much as Nirvana, like, Shudder to Think, is a band I absolutely love. Grant Lee, Buffalo.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Lush.

[A]

I love Lush.

[B]

Yes. I, I. One of the. I saw them in 1994.

[A]

I love belly.

[B]

There you go there. Yeah. And what about Urban Dance Squad? That's a band I hadn't heard in so long.

[A]

I know. And then I. I saw you have Rude Boy.

[B]

Yes, Rude Boy Remington. The singer.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In the rapper.

[A]

The book. So you got so many different people and so many different perspectives. How do you convince people to be this honest and introspective when looking back at a time that they were a part of or that they just can bear witness to?

[B]

I mean, well, I've done so many books and I've written. I've been a writer since 1997. I've written for Rolling Stone, Billboard, Song Facts, Excuse me, Song Facts, ALLMUSIC Guide. And I've also done all these books, so I guess people may know my name a little bit by this point, so they know that I'm not just a gentleman that's trying to make a quick buck or something. But maybe they could also tell that I was very passionate about the style of music. Because one thing that I will say about this, out of, I listen to just about every music, and my theory is every style of music has their good artists and bad artists, but early 90s to mid-90s alternative rock is my favorite of all because I was. And you probably feel the same way. I was of the age that I went to the record store to buy Super Unknown the day it came out, I got to see the OK Computer Tour, you know, Whereas, like, Queen is my all time favorite band, but I was too young to go by A Night at the Opera the day it came out, whereas I was there to witness Nirvana come along, I was there to see Eddie Vedder risk his life dangling at Jones beach on Lollapalooza. 92. You know, I was there to.

[A]

I saw that at the Cat House. Oh, wow. And I remember, I think it was like Pearl Jam's second show in LA in 91. And I remember thinking, that guy is very acrobatic. He's. You could tell he was short, but had like a weird body composition, so he had enough upper body strength that he could handle the whole thing. But for anyone else, that would have been perilous.

[B]

Yes, exactly. But. Yeah, but. But, like. So that, to me is, I guess, why I love this style of music so much. And, you know, in coming here, I was thinking, it's insane how many great singers early to mid-90s alternative rock gave us. Like, if you think about Chris Cornell, Mike Patton, I love Shannon Hoon. That's one of my favorites.

[A]

His story is so heartbreaking to me.

[B]

It is. Yeah. I did a book that's one of my more popular books called A Devil on One Shoulder and An angel on the Other, which is about Shannon Hoon. I mean, Kurt Cobain's death really hit me hard, but for some reason, Shannon Hoon, because I guess I got to see Blind Melon so much with him. I even got to meet him. And people always ask me what my favorite 90s alternative rock album is. I always say Blind Melon Soup, which is one that not too many people would probably pick because there's just certain albums that hit you in a way.

[A]

And.

[B]

And I love albums that when you first hear them, they don't make that much sense. They don't hit you in the way that, say, like, some of the classic instant classics. That's an album I still listen to today. And every time I hear it, it's something unique and original about it.

[A]

Yeah. And you can hear something new that you don't get on the first listen.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

I agree with you. And I would say that, like, some of my best friends, I didn't like them at first and they didn't like me, but then, like, you grow together and you realize, like, oh, this might be my person this is lovely. And I was. I was more moved by Shannon's death than I was by Kurt Cobain's because I always felt there was such a vulnerability and such an earnestness with Shannon Hoohan that, you know, Kurt Cobain, he was reclusive in his own way, and he was resentful of fame and he had already tried to take his own life. So I guess it wasn't that much of a surprise. It was still sad and shocking, but Shannon felt very personal.

[B]

Yeah, it did. It really did. Yeah. And I mean. No, I'm sorry, go ahead.

[A]

No, no, you go.

[B]

But, yeah, what I was saying before, just the amount of great singers that 90s alt rock gave us, like Jeff Buckley and.

[A]

And how many of them are dead?

[B]

I know, yeah. You know, but see the people. People.

[A]

Lane Staley.

[B]

Staley. Scott Cobain. Yeah. Chris Cornell. Yeah, yep. Shannon Hoon. All of them. Yeah. It's very sad, but. But, you know, people tend to focus on like, oh, all these guys died. But every genre, every. You know, look at the late 60s, early 70s, with the 20 70s. Yeah, exactly. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Graham Parsons, Jim Morrison, they all died around that era. So, yeah, same age. Duane Allman as well, you know, they all died. Yeah. So every era. Yeah, every era has their.

[A]

I loved the story. It was Thurston Moore talking about the first time he heard Nirvana. And he sounds like such an old man. He's like, I just didn't get. Was so loud and jangly when they were supporting Bleach.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, yeah. Well, you know what's funny with Nirvana? I like Nevermind, but that's probably my least listened to Nirvana album. I listen to Bleach a lot more. I listen to In Utero is great, you know, but loving Utero. Yeah, yeah, Great again. That was an album I was lucky to buy the day it came out.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I regret I never got to see Nirvana live, though. I saw all those bands. Never saw Nirvana. Living in New York. I know. I never saw Nirvana. I got to see Soundgarden many, many times. How about this for a first club show ever? The headliner was Voiva. Do you remember that? Okay. The middle band was Soundgarden. Wow. The opening band was Faith no More.

[A]

That's amazing.

[B]

Right?

[A]

What year was that?

[B]

That was 1990. March of 1990.

[A]

And so. So Soundgarden was still a metal band.

[B]

They were touring on Louder Than Love and Faith no More was touring on the real thing before Epic became a hit.

[A]

That's amazing.

[B]

And I believe that was the Night that Chris Cornell found out that Andy Wood died. Oh, I believe that was the night. Yeah.

[A]

I saw Pearl Jam open for Nirvana, who opened for the Chili Pepper.

[B]

Okay, so that was on the west coast, right?

[A]

Yes, that was on the West Coast. December 1991.

[B]

Yeah, it was a great one. Yeah, I got to see all the greats. Did you go to this Soundgarden show in 1994 that was like 100 degrees? It was at the New York State Armory. It was when the Long Island Railroad was. There was a strike and everyone had to drive in. We couldn't even take the train. And they, it was at this place, the New York State Armory. They had no air conditioning. It was the hottest show I've ever been to.

[A]

A bunch of their shows with Nine Inch Nails.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And those bands did not like each other. And they, they did not cavort at all. They, you know, it's like, I, I, I don't know why, but they, you know, they were, and they didn't even have the same fan base really at that.

[B]

Not really, no.

[A]

Although.

[B]

But I mean, I did own 9 inch nail CDs and also sound Garden.

[A]

And there were people who watched MTV who appreciated the crossover, who, who might have liked both or either on the periphery. But like the hardcore Sound Garden fans would look at Nine Inch Nails and.

[B]

Be like, what are they doing?

[A]

PR around.

[B]

But see, I'm glad you bring that lights. But I'm glad you bring that up because that's what was so great about that era with the bands. It was almost like every band had to sound original and put their own unique spin on things. Like, you know, Soundgarden didn't sound like Belly. Belly didn't sound like, you know, Blind Melon. Blind Melon didn't sound like Primus, et cetera, et cetera. Whereas as the 90s go on, then suddenly you get all these fourth generation Nirvana ripoffs and bands with Pearl Jam music with the Kurt Cobain sounding singer, et cetera, et cetera.

[A]

Yeah. And that's, I guess that's what Al Jorgensen was referring to.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

When he talks about like the corporat and you can hear the compression.

[B]

Yeah, well, that, but that happens throughout the course of music history. I mean, it happened with Guns N Roses comes along then we have all these horrible Guns N Roses ripoffs. And you know, it just, it's happened. Van Halen, of course, there were thousands of Van Halen ripoffs. It just happens time and time again. The Beatles, that's probably the biggest example of bands that just Rip off the Beatles, you know?

[A]

Yes. Although I prefer the Turtles to the Beatles.

[B]

I prefer the Kinks to the Beatles.

[A]

Oh, the Kinks are amazing. So Greg Gutfeld maintains that the Kinks were the first punk rock band.

[B]

One of them. I mean, you could say Link Ray, that song Rumble. That was definitely a punkish type thing. I mean, Elvis was pretty punk for his time, wasn't he?

[A]

Absolutely. I mean, if you're talking about being a real punk rocker, I mean, look at the hair.

[B]

Yeah. What about Perry, Cuomo? No.

[A]

That's very funny.

So as you go on, you do talk about drugs and the influence of drugs and the casualties. Is that something we remember because we were so struck by it? Or like you said, does that happen with every generation?

[B]

It may have been more. Not so much glorified, but it was definitely reported about a lot more, I think, as it. Like, there were always rumors about Kurt Cobain with drugs. Like, I know, like the first Nirvana cover story back in 1992, even talked about that he may be. I remember the phrase, he may be dancing with Mr. Brownstone. There's a reference to the Guns N Roses songs, of course. Yeah. And then there were always rumors. And then, of course, Scott Weiland kept getting busted over and over and over again. There were rumors about also Lane Staley being holed up in his apartment. And it turned out that, sadly, all these things were true.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Whereas, like, say, back in the late 60s, I don't know how much it was reported, like, say, Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin were doing what they were doing.

[A]

How was music reporting different in the 90s? Because it felt like the reporters. Rolling Stone. I know, but, like, you know, I.

[B]

Do have to interrupt you that I have great memories of watching before I was a writer, just a fan of music, of watching you and Matt Pinfield and everybody on alternative nation. Also 120 minutes. I've been doing a lot of. A lot of press for this book. I compare alternative nation also. 120 minutes. That was like our Spotify or our YouTube that. That's what I would go to. To. That's the first time I saw the Smashing Pumpkin Siva video back in 1990. 120 minutes. That's how, you know, I was so excited to see, like, the Jerry was a Race Car Driver video being premiered.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, but then, like, how I would discover Grant Lee, Buffalo and all these other bands was through those shows. So.

[A]

Yeah. So, I mean, 120 was. It was so legitimate, and that's what made my show really fun. Alternative was. Cause it was completely adolescent.

[B]

I even watched the Get Late with Kennedy show. I used to watch that.

[A]

So, okay, so I had a four night talk show pilot. And I had gotten in so much trouble in September when I blew the microphone standing next to Giuliani, which I talked about with Tom Fress, and Tom Fretson wanted me fired. Somehow my boss, Andy Schoen, kept my job. So that was off the heels of Woodstock 94. Okay, so Woodstock 94, Judy McGrath. All the executives came out to me like, you did such a great job on live tv. You were a real journalist. Like, they were so happy. My stock went up. And then the second I blew the microphone with Giuliani, it just tanked. I was supposed to do that talk show like the week after the VMAs, and they scrapped it. And then I ended up doing it in December. And they had soured on the idea of me doing live TV so much that they contractually let me do the four nights and then that was it. Which was such a shame because I interviewed Marcus Schenkenberg and Spike Jones and Puck from the Real World, and he.

[B]

I saw that. Wait, you were eating. He was eating anchovies. You grabbed it and you ate one, right?

[A]

I spit it out and I picked it up off the table and I ate it.

[B]

I remember you also interviewed.

[A]

That is commitment to the bit.

[B]

You also interviewed Janine Garofalo. I remember watching that. Yes.

[A]

She was on. And Ben Stiller came to watch that show. Okay. And then the next week, Ben and I went snowboarding.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

Nothing happened. There was no physical anything.

[B]

In fact, I remember the debate was you had Janine Garofalo on and she had a problem with models or something like that. And I remember she debated a model called in and she debated her. I remember that.

[A]

Interesting. Oh, it's probably Veronica Webb.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Because Veronica Webb was like.

People are too fat. And I think Janine was like, that.

[B]

Was what it was.

[A]

No, Heroin chic is making women giving women eating disorders.

[B]

That's what it was.

[A]

So the. The model's line of defense is like, no, there's too many fat people. It's like, oh, wait, you're both right.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Like, oh, that can. Two things can be true at the same time.

[B]

And your show had a great Sunny Day real estate song. It was a theme song. Yeah, I remember that. Yeah. Yeah. There was a period of time where I graduate college, and for a few months, I don't know what I'm doing with my life. So I'm watching A lot of, you know, 120 minutes and also alternative Nation and everything that's amazing.

[A]

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[B]

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[C]

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[B]

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[C]

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[A]

Who's your favorite band?

[B]

You mean from that era? Yeah. Hmm. It's hard. I would usually go with Soundgarden, but there's so many of them. I mean, I love that you had.

[A]

Kevin Martin in your book from Candle Box.

[B]

Yes. Well, you know, I want. See, this is the thing now.

[A]

And I loved his stories about Madonna.

[B]

Yeah, that was a good story. That was a great story. Yeah. The thing is, she was like, you.

[A]

Need to read more books. It'll help your lyrics. And he was like, oh, what books were you reading when you wrote Like a Virgin?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, Madonna, of course, you know that you can't deny her influence. But is she really a great lyricist? I don't know if she's really a great lyricist.

[A]

I like a prayer. I'll put that right out there.

[B]

All right, fair enough. Fair enough.

[A]

I love Madonna, so.

[B]

But what I wanted to say, though, is, so like, a band like Candlebox Bush, those are bands I don't really listen to. But, like, mainstream rock is so bad now that I've now have a whole new appreciation. Like, Gavin Ross still wrote all those songs.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He didn't have to enlist 50 songwriters to help him write that stuff. So even bands, I didn't care for that much back then. Now I hear I'm like, oh, you know, the Toadies aren't that bad.

[A]

Yeah. You know, Whereas what about Toad the Wet Sprocket?

[B]

I actually once interviewed that gentleman for this. Now, I mean, again, not music I would listen to, but, I mean, I guess if I'm picking out wallpaper, it's good music to listen to.

[A]

Yes. What do you look back on and still cringe thinking about from that era?

[B]

What do you think about that I don't know.

[A]

How do you feel about Courtney Love?

[B]

Courtney Love is one of my wife's favorite. She loves hole.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So she will stand by hole. You know, I mean, I'll tell you what about Courtney. Courtney Love. I just, for fun, play music. And me and my friend, who I play guitar and my friend plays drums, we're trying to give it to my wife just to come into my friend's house just to play, like a song with us.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

So we're gonna possibly jam on the song called Doll Parts. Yeah. So I'm learning it on guitar and I'm listening to it. I'm like, this song. This song, Only Dollars.

[A]

Oh, it's. That's incredible.

[B]

Okay. So to her credit, that song only has three chords.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

But yet she totally pulls it off. And that, you can't deny, that is a classic song. So, I mean, that is Courtney Love's. You know, no matter what you want to say about Courtney Love, she was definitely a talent. I mean, she was.

[A]

No, she had intensity.

[B]

Intensity that is unmatched.

[A]

Like, there's so much emotion in her voice when she latches onto you like a laser.

[B]

Right.

[A]

It is fascinating and terrifying at the same time.

[B]

Oh, if you could, you'd have to show the picture. But there's a picture in this book of you and Courtney Love. What is going on in that photo?

[A]

So she is such a pain in the ass. That was at the 1993 Video Musical Awards. I was wearing a Todd Oldham floor length gown with.

A hand beaded collar in red, orange, and yellow. Lovely fall palette for September. And that was when Kurt, Courtney, and Frances were on the red carpet together. So Frances was like a year old, and she was so cute and beautiful. And I think, like, those are the only public pictures we have of the three of them. And so I was going down the red carpet and Courtney goes, oh, let me fix your lipstick. And I was like, oh, thanks. And she goes, what? And wiped it onto my face. And I was like, you are such a C word. And she's like. So I'd go into makeup and they had to, like, you know, do some triage.

[B]

See, I thought it looked like she was touching your nose. I thought she was me picking your nose.

[A]

She probably was.

[B]

Yeah. But and then to get back to your previous question about my favorite band. So Soundgarden is one of my favorites. Faith no More I absolutely loved.

[A]

I love Faith no More.

[B]

The album Angel Dust just did an.

[A]

Album with the Abbott.

[B]

Abbott brothers, Right? Yeah. But Angel Dust is one of my all time favorite 90s albums. That's a great album. But, yeah, so that Blind man with Shannon Hoon, that's some of the. Some of the best shows I ever saw. I got to see Blind Melon at the Wetlands before anyone really knew who they were. And that was a mind blowing. There's been few shows where just, like, your mind is blown. Like, things look differently when you come out of the show. Faith no More at the lamour show in 1990 was like that for me. Blind Mel in Wetlands was like that. And there's been other shows like that. I. You know, there's like. At the time, like, do you remember in late 93, a lot of big bands went back to CBGB's to play. I got to see Living Color back in late 1993, and that was another mind blowing show. Yeah.

[A]

One of my favorite shows ever was Rocket from the crypt at CBGB's. Because my roommate, who was in the talent department, where they would decide which videos went on air at MTV, we lived on 7th street, so we lived just a couple blocks from CBs. So it's like literally everyone from CBs came back to our apartment. We had a party for Rock from the Crib. And it was amazing. And I will never forget that as long as I live.

[B]

Something that we should clear up. So now the VJs had no saying which videos to be played, right?

[A]

No, but I would lobby her. Like, I would lobby anyone. I would lobby Andy, like, anyone. And I would play them stuff, and I would implore and beg. Did I have any real power? No. But, you know, I was hired right before my 20th birthday.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So, like, they always said, like, oh, you're the first VJ that we've ever had in the demo. Because, you know, I was still very 18 to 24 when I was there, right. And I had come from alternative radio, so I had a pretty good sense of what I loved. And I don't know if I was representing other people, but I tried to, with my passion, influence them as much as possible.

[B]

Okay. Yeah. Because I once interviewed Ricky Rackman. He said he. They only let him pick one video ever on Headbangers Ball. That was Motorhead, Ace of Spades for his birthday one year.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

That's the only video they ever have.

[A]

A dog named Lemmy.

[B]

Oh, nice.

[A]

I saw Ricky Rackman at a NASCAR race last year.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

It was so cool. He's super into nascar. He's still super into music. He's such an incredible guy.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. I've Interviewed him a bunch of times. He's into motor. He rides his motorcycle like all across America and things like that. Yeah.

[A]

His wife is a really famous tattoo artist.

[B]

Oh, yeah, you're right. Yeah.

[A]

Like, he has one of the most interesting post MTV stories.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which I love. Who were you surprised? Who was the hardest person to get in the book? You? No, I was like, they're like, will you do this thing? I'm like, sure. Here are my available times. There's 25 of them now.

[B]

I wanted to thank you. You actually did two interviews for this book, so I definitely do thank you for that. Yeah, we did a little follow up, but it was great. Interviewing Ian Makai from the Van Fugazi.

[A]

Okay. I was going to ask you because I say Ian Makai, because Henry Rollins always said Ian MacKay, but people say Ian McKay.

[B]

Yeah, I've heard. I've heard both.

[A]

Yeah. But he had a very interesting take on the whole thing because obviously they. Minor Threat was bigger than anyone at the time.

[B]

Fugazi.

[A]

Yes. In 1990. 1991. And yet he had such an interesting. He's like, we were so much bigger than those guys.

[B]

Right. Yeah. It's something I talk about in this book. He was kind enough to clear up the whole rumor about. There was that thing that Ahmed Erdogan supposedly offered them a million dollars to sign with Atlantic. And he went on record clearing up that story and talked about how there was also another label that tried to woo Fugazi.

[A]

And.

[B]

And they turned it down, of course.

[A]

They.

[B]

Which is pretty good. Which is pretty cool.

[A]

Like, he was probably smart enough to know that a. A seven album contract was indentured servitude. Right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And whatever they were doing on their own was going to make them a lot more.

[B]

Yeah, they're already selling out two nights at, like, Roseland. So what. What else are they going to do for them?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, they knew the model that they had for making money was far more substantial than, you know, the. The bands who. The hits were not guaranteed for everyone. Like, it was not guaranteed that you were going to have a platinum record even if you had that major label support who, you know, had chips to be called in at mtv.

[B]

Right. Yeah, yeah. So. So he was one also. I think I did one of the last ever interviews with Steve Albini. Yeah, he just died, like, about one or two months after I spoke with him.

[A]

Yeah. What a great guy.

[B]

Very, very cool. Very interesting, very knowledgeable at every style of music and band you could think of. Yeah, it was very interesting. To hear talk about recording Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey. It was great to speak with him.

[A]

I love seeing Fred Armisen and Fred Schneider.

[B]

Yes. There you go.

[A]

The twin friends.

[B]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

Both with, you know, different and interesting takes on music at the time.

[B]

Yeah. People don't know that Fred Armisen has ties to alternative rock. He was the drummer in a band called Trenchmouth that. Not too many. I never heard of them, to be honest with you, because they were kind of a obscure band. But, yeah, everyone knows about him from Portlandia and everything. But, yeah, he had some very good things. Moby was a very good interview. He had some very interesting things to say in this. Yeah, well, he. He was very, very insightful.

[A]

Moby, he gets a bad rap.

[B]

Well, I. He was one of the best interviews, I think.

[A]

Kombucha guy. But he's. Yeah, he. People think he's. He's so fragile and vegan, but, you know, he. He loves music and he's really smart.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Matt Sweeney was in there. Matt Sweeney was almost my roommate.

[B]

Oh, nice.

[A]

It was between Matt Sweeney and. And Sherry Howell, and Sherry was the one who worked at mtv and she was an adult and Matt was a chain smoker. And so Matt was going to come look at the place because I had a three bedroom mini loft that was very cheap. And then Sherry came by and she was like, you cannot have Matt Sweeney live here I am moving in.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So she.

[B]

Wait, too bad story didn't actually make the book.

[A]

I think Matt probably would have disputed it, but he was one of those people who used to get really mad about MTV and be like, mtv sucks, but so desperately wanted to be on.

[B]

Right, I understand that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, and then also, of course, Matt Pinfield. I interviewed for the book. It's always great. I'm so glad he's back to full health.

[A]

I know. He's amazing.

[B]

Yes, he is. He always comes back.

[A]

No, he's. He's like Rasputin.

[B]

He is.

[A]

It's an unbelievable story. And, you know, it's like, I can't tell the story about what happened to Matt and his health scare when he was at mtv, but he almost didn't survive that.

[B]

Oh, okay. Yeah.

[A]

And now here he is, surviving a stroke and thriving.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I really think, like, it's his love of music and it's his passion for something that great that. That pure stoke that just keeps him going.

[B]

Yeah, he definitely is salt of the earth. I've interviewed him a bunch of times over the years. In fact, I did a book after this, if you could believe that. And Matt wrote the forward for it.

[A]

What was your book after this?

[B]

It's called Talk to Me Conversations with Ace Freely. Because. Because I was lucky to interview Ace many times over the years. And I was a big kid, big fan of the original kiss in the 70s. That was my gateway into rock music was Kiss. And I was sad to hear about Ace dying. And I was lucky to interview him close to 10 times over the years. So, yeah, so I was able to compile all those interviews into a book. I did brand new interviews with Kim Thiel from Soundgarden, Jesse Hughes from the band Eagles of Death Metal. Yes. And I also spoke to Matt. I was like, do you want to do the forward? And he said, absolutely. And we got on the phone and knocked it out. So, yeah, it's called Talk to Me Conversations with Ace Freely. And that's that now, too, as well.

[A]

Okay, great. Well, alternative for the masses. Greg Prado. You can get it now. It makes a lovely holiday gift.

[B]

Let me. I never asked you, what were some of your favorite bands? Would you say you asked me about the favorite bands?

[A]

Beastie Boys.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

No doubt. Obviously, all the San Diego bands. Rock from the Crypt, Drive, like J. Who, all of Lawn Pitchfork. I loved all those bands.

And, you know, I. I liked the New York hardcore scene.

I like John Cougar Mellencamp when he was still in Cougar because he went to my dad's high school.

[B]

And what would you say were some of the best shows we. I talk about some of my favorite shows. What were some of your favorite shows from back in the day?

[A]

Nirvana at Roseland.

[B]

Oh, so that was on the in utero tour in 93. Okay. Yeah.

[A]

And then I saw. I think my favorite show ever was Rocket from the Crypt with Rancid. And I think they opened for Soundgarden, but I didn't stay for Soundgarden.

[B]

Oh, wow. Nice. Okay, that's. Okay. Now, I want to say, too, but I.

[A]

And I love Rancid.

[B]

Okay, Right.

[A]

Rancid's amazing. And they don't get enough credit because everyone's like, oh, they just ripped off the Clash and Green Day. It's like, no, Tim Armstrong is a genius.

[B]

I just want to mention, too, before we go, my parents are huge fans of yours. They watch you. They had no idea that you were once a vj. That's crazy. So they looked at this book and they say, wait, is this Kennedy? I'm like, yeah. And I had to fill them in on your whole past. So this book is Almost like a Kennedy history lesson.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, you had a whole chapter on 120 and Alternatives.

[B]

Exactly. So anyone? That's so cool. Exactly. So this is a must, have, must have for people that are.

[A]

If you want to save the world, get alternative for the masses. Thank you, Greg Prado.

[B]

Thank you so much, Kenny. It was an absolute honor.

[A]

I'm glad to meet you in person and thank you for allowing me to be part of your book.

[B]

Thank you, thank you. And thank you for keeping me company all those nights when I had nothing back in the early 90s when I didn't know what I was going to do with my life. I always enjoyed watching you on tv.

[A]

A lot of people don't realize the technology was two way. I was watching you too, Greg. It's creepy and I like it. This has been Kennedy Saves the World along with Greg Prado. I'm Kennedy.

Listen ad free with a Fox News podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts and Amazon Prime. Members can listen to this show and ad free on the Amazon music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News Podcast Network. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus.

[C]

A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.