Pat Smear Joins Nirvana/First Arena Tour | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

[@frankmaston]

I was a massive Foo Fighters fan as a kid and I found Pat Smear's email somewhere and sent him a fan letter with a bunch of questions. Not only did he answer all of my questions in the sweetest way, but he asked for my home address. A few weeks later an envelope arrived from Pat with a guitar pick and a note that said "I used this pick on the last Foo Fighters tour I did". I will never ever forget his kindness to a 14 yr old.

[@Sijndkb.39082]

man! That is so cool!. Is there a chance hoy can share the questions you asked him?

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

That is beyond awesome! What a good guy!

[@mds1171]

Conan needs to do more band interviews like this. He knows what he's talking about.

[@roddydykes7053]

He’s like a completely superior Howard Stern (who doesn’t know anything about music and thinks it’s 100% for money)

[@within360]

A decade of my life was ruled by Conan musical guests. My friends and I would tape the shows and make mix tapes of the performances. Still some of the best live recordings I have.

[@bluemcdaniel99]

@@roddydykes7053I wouldn’t say he knows nothing. Check out his video where he has the band Hum come into the studio. He’s a music nerd.

[@adaoradoeswrite]

YESSSS

[@sugmintub]

As a musician and a fan himself, he does indeed.

[@StephenSchaal]

Pat was already a legend when he joined

[@ST-xg3gy]

Correct. But not a household name.

[@pinverarity]

And a genuinely friendly guy. There was briefly an SST record store on Sunset in the early ‘80s, so I went to check it out one day…and discovered Pat Smear working as a clerk, smiling behind the counter. My eyes must’ve bugged out because he laughed a little while I bumbled through some “you’re amazing the Germs album is amazing” etc.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

An underground legend, people forget that the Germs never played shows outside of LA. They were the best example of a best kept secret band. Which is also why we have to thank Kurt for hiring Pat in the first place, since it brought Pat in the mainstream and introduced so many people to the Germs who weren't around when that band ended.

[@CurbBlurbs]

@@RastaSaiyamanI never knew they never left Los Angeles to tour. Thx

[@dsxa918]

I'm young even to listen to Nirvana (I was born in 1987) and to hear so much about music history I've learned a ton about music and I don't remember that I had heard that before, thanks for reminding me. It makes me think of Johnny Marr playing with Modest Mouse

[@ItzBadger.]

Pat added a lot to Nirvana, such great energy on stage and i like his backing vocals a lot

[@michaelsturdevant9196]

When Kurt was too high to keep time

[@SNESdrunk]

I will be forever thankful to Nirvana for introducing me to Yamantaka Eye and Boredoms, they were a tipping point for me to go find out about a ton of other music at a really young age

[@Humblemumble7]

Damn bro, fancy meeting you here! Big fan, never miss a video drop! For anyone who isn't aware, if you're into the breath of life and nostalgia that was the 90s era of console gaming, his reviews are top notch! Even if you're unaware of it, his videos are perfectly digestible and laid out with enough history to keep you involved. Just a solid channel (Sorry if I stepped on your modesty)

[@irotinmyskin]

I will be forever thankful to you. Love your channel

[@bamma8slamma]

Your videos are perfect, mister Drunk. No fat at all,. just substance.

[@bradleylovej]

Love you videos!

[@frankb5728]

coke is it?

[@mr.mertman5711]

This is a masterclass in how to do an interview. Iconic interview with icons.

[@thetr00per30]

They sounded so much better once Pat Joined the band, the sound was thicker and rocked even harder. I look forward to getting this box set to hear them live with Pat.

[@freeecountryy]

You can hear a lot of the songs Pat played on from the In Utero tours on Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah. Been out since '97 or so.

[@obriaind]

“Edna Gunderson of USA Today” getting called the f out, 30 years later.

[@jasonpeters9865]

Envious/Threatened....Baby Boomer

[@JasonShaw-hh9xi]

I was at that Arizona show. Kurt jumped down on top of me. Still have a piece of his shirt. It was a GREAT SHOW!!! One of my favorite memories. I was 19 then.

[@normabernal6676]

Lucky you, do you have pictures 😊

[@JasonShaw-hh9xi]

@@normabernal6676 no, no pics. Except the ones etched into my memory and my heart. The piece of Kurt's shirt is on my wall. That show, cost $6 to get into the fair. The show itself was first come, first served. As long as you got in line on time, you were golden. Fantastic!🤘

[@seano4548]

Sure, whatever makes you feel better about yourself. I was born in 1979 and met Jimi Hendrix at a McDonald's once ...

[@JasonShaw-hh9xi]

@@seano4548 jeez dude. Sorry for existing. You win!🤮

[@darkonone5158]

@@seano4548 shut it

[@SaintMartins]

Weird how Pat Smear has survived the deaths of 3 band mates. Darby Crash (The Germs), Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) & Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)

[@liamingrouille9905]

right

[@MusickopatH]

Is he safe to Be in band with?

[@Skeezer66]

@@MusickopatH That's what I was thinking! Has he even aged? LOL!!

[@somedaysometime]

@@MusickopatHthat's actually scary LMAO

[@sampleoffers1978]

Yeah, but it depends on his personality and how connected he is to unit. Three you would think might induce major anger, but that's his experience to tell.

[@SP-po1sd]

Pat should have been here

[@CapAnson12345]

He was busy doing Pat Smear things.

[@pedterson]

They're promoting the In Utero anniversary edition and Pat had nothing to do with that record. But it would be awesome if Conan did a podcast episode with him one day.

[@joshpointoh]

Meh

[@mattwatts33]

He wasn’t involved with the In Utero recording.

[@AlbertoBalsalm]

He had no involvement in making In Utero.

[@LuisPayero-p8z]

I love how down to earth they are

[@bloodaonadeline8346]

real punk rockers that never grew up in all the best ways!!

[@kennethmullen-qe9hg]

Man...Krist remembering those two reviewers' names (and putting them both on blast, HERE) all these years later, is as uncanny as it is hilarious! LmMFaO!!! ;) :P :o)

[@Doyouevenart69]

Agreed! I thought that was hilarious and also very human. I feel like I would be the same way if I was in his position. You can get all the praise in the world but it only takes one person absolutely shitting on you to really hit you where it hurts.

[@WillStephensArt]

Pat is the coolest person to ever live, was in three legendary bands

[@windwaker01]

​@@user-ve8he3om5qWhat a clown, all three are legendary bands. Deal with it

[@Valeo1993]

​@@user-ve8he3om5qdear god you must be fun at parties

[@Dreamcatcher9000]

​@@user-ve8he3om5q First, you don't need to "get out" to discover great music. You can do it from your home. And I man, especially "now" with the Internet. Because in the old days, yeah, you had to get out to buy records and magazines and stuff. Second, he didn't say that these three were the three MOST legendary bands ever. He just said that they are legendary bands. And I don't know about the Germs, but Nirvana and Foo Fighters, whether you like them or not, are definitely legendary bands. Third, is your Ohio joke related to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame somehow?

[@zachm2331]

@@Dreamcatcher9000Germs is legendary. An argument can be made for saying their 1979 album “GI” laid the blueprint for what punk rock is today.

[@Dreamcatcher9000]

@@zachm2331 I haven't listened to it, I'm not a (big) punk rock fan, but I have no reason to deny what you said. Chronologically, at least, it fits the entitlement. But besides that, in comparison with Nirvana and Foo Fighters, I think that the Germs lack the test of time. In contrast with, for example, the Sex Pistols, who they REALLY became legendary with only one album as well, and they're still popular, almost half a century later.

[@condor7810]

An interesting note on the connection between Nirvana and the Germs. In Feb. 1990, then LA Times music critic Johnathan Gold reviewed a live show that Nirvana played at Raji's in Hollywood, a small underground music club. Yes, this is the award winning food critic Johnathan Gold before he became a prolific culinary critic. Gold's review was very positive and specifically mentioned the trailblazing LA punk band the Germs in his review of the Nirvana show as quoted below, LA Times Feb. 1990: "At Raji’s on Thursday, Nirvana, a noisy power-trio from suburban Washington State, sounded for the moment at least like the best punk band you’ve heard in your life: The bottom grabbed your guts in a way you may not have experienced since the Germs broke up. And some of the crowd was actually pogoing."

[@Nobodys-Favourite]

Haha how the hell did you find this review? Music obsessed hey?

[@condor7810]

@@Nobodys-Favourite I suppose so. Mostly I am just old (or older) and attended shows at that specific club in that time period and used to read music reviews in the LA Times circa that time period.

[@216Numbskull]

​@@condor7810 You'd be hard pressed to deny that Darby Crash influenced Kurt in a lot of ways if you really know about both of them. Just saying... 🤘😜🤘 ☮️

[@MrFG813]

Hearing Conan talk about The Germs is something I never thought i'd see. And I was already a fan of both. Now do yourself a favor and listen to the GI album, and play Manimal on repeat.

[@bobbymendoza2938]

Iiiiiii caaaame intoooooo thissssss worrrrrrrrrrld like a puzzzzzzzleddddddd pantherrrrrrrrr

[@random22026]

Krist's Bobcat impression! 😁😁😆😆😅😅🤣🤣😂😂And a steel-trap memory for names (Edna? You've been called out!)!

[@gir5o1]

Was happy to hear Dave mention the Boredoms. I have only recently discovered their genius. This just reinforces my intuition that I'm on the right path.

[@KAYDXN]

Can we talk about Conan’s knowledge of music! I’m genuinely impressed rn.

[@mikedl1105]

I love how Pat swings his legs on the Unplugged concert

[@Friendsforgood270]

This interview is the best thing that could happen to me at this time.

[@ZorinZato]

Krist is such a special guy. I’d listen to him tell stories for ages

[@nickhartman6372]

Conan is a great interviewer! He lets his guests speak without constantly interrupting. Would love to see him do more of these "icon" style interviews. I especially enjoyed hearing Krist and Steve's perspectives, I could listen to those two talk for hours.

[@tiredofit4761]

Pat is a legend and when I saw Foo Fighters the crowd went crazy when his name was called out!!

[@bluechristianwinterhawk2558]

Thank you. Had been waiting for this interview for almost 30 years. ❤

[@ericafuller7133]

Thank you Team Coco for posting this! It is enjoyable to hear this! ❤

[@richardcoffeygeneral]

I love Pat Smear so much : a lovely person as well as a great guitarist ☺️🤘🏻

[@ThatLad685]

RIP Steve Albini. Crazy to see him do this interview just a few months before his death..

[@_NoDrinkTheBleach]

I didn't really get Pat being in Nirvana until after Foo Fighters became a thing. Like his personality wasn't on full display in Nirvana. He was just a guy playing next to Krist, minding his business. In Foo Fighters, his stage presence has been much more on display. It's eye opening to go back to those Nirvana shows and see him playing his ass off, but in the confines of being the "new guy."

[@Doyouevenart69]

That’s fair. He didn’t really speak a whole lot on his experience during his time in the band which possibly made his impact and contribution limited to fans. However his contribution actually is pretty substantial when go back and watch footage of The band after he joined. He really did bring a lot to the table in terms their live performance. I definitely can tell he meshed really well with the guys. Also, the fact he was in a legendary band like the Germs that the guys revered kind of speaks volumes. His playing at the time, much like Greg Ginn’s, was really ground breaking and probably under appreciated at the time.

[@poetsdreamsatc]

I Love that Krist looks at Dave when he talks about family friendly affordable tickets.

[@p0llenp0ny]

And Dave quickly changes the subject lol

[@shanegedekoh121]

Forever the weirdest band to make it so big. Like, it's simultaneously insane and also totally makes sense.

[@Doyouevenart69]

Ehh there’s some pretty weird bands out there…I mean that in a positive way. Focus? Frank Zappa or Captain BeefHeart, butthole surfers, Buckethead, Maynard, just to name a few. Also you gotta put some stuff in context…David Bowie, Iggy Pop, the Pistols and many others were wayyy more revolutionary and “weird” or out there for their respective times. Much more so than Nirvana. Actually when you listen to the guys in Nirvana they were pretty relatable, normal dudes from a small town..

[@marcosalvarez9902]

@@Doyouevenart69Frank Zappa and Captain beefheart are not worthy comparisons because they weren’t nearly as big and mainstream as Nirvana became. Nirvana is leagues more well known than most of the artists you mentioned

[@neonada.official]

That's cause normally bands want to come to the mainstream. In Nirvana's case the mainstream came to Nirvana. They were just another punk rock band from bumfuck nowhere. It was also that which caused the chaos and destruction of it.

[@CheeseyMilkshakes]

Not a good comparison at all. Nirvana were HUGE, the biggest band in the world by a country mile. I'm talking Taylor Swift now levels of fame. Captain Beefheart wasn't a big artist at all when the band were in their prime.@@Doyouevenart69

[@alphanerd7221]

Nirvana isn't even a weird band. It's mainstream rock. Metallica is much weirder and much bigger.

[@curtis8966]

I just met bobcat recently at the comedy club I work at. One of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met.

[@fogpumas]

5:41 I always felt that there was as a strong Zed from Police Academy influence on the vocals on Bleach.

[@MeanderingSlacker]

4:10. This is the source of the kurt stomach issues. Oh my lord. It says so much

[@JacksonTV13]

This year I saw Foo Fighters at Riot Fest and Louder Than Life. At both shows, Pat Smear looked so happy to be on stage doing his thing.

[@kennardjohnson7875]

Pat smear is a great rocker,he made nirvana complete. When on stage he was the happiest person in the world. Good he went back to Foo.

[@bobafat1830]

I love Conan and these interviews are so insightful and funny when they need to be. Every guest seem to be so much more comfortable sharing the depths of their experiences. Conans questions are always thoughtful and he seems to really care about his guests which makes him superior to everyone else imo.

[@lesleywhibley]

This shows how well they all did get along with each other and thats great to see even though someone wanted you to think they didnt of which is wrong.

[@Tedster10]

Pat always looks happy on stage!

[@pewsterbaby]

Albini - "Pat Smear's guitar sounded sour and a little creepy, so it was a good fit." nailed it. always heard that SG but never could describe it

[@ryanwilford]

Thanks for this. It's really nice to see all of these talented (in their own right) individuals having a pleasant discussion. ;))

[@stepitupandgo67]

RIP Steve..such a genius

[@RugoGaming]

Pat Smear was the icing on the cake that was Nirvana. Pity we never got 10 more Nirvana albums with that final lineup

[@TraceVandal]

Pat joining Nirvana is similar to Joe Walsh joining the Eagles, they were already famous and well respected so it's very interesting they decided to join a group and just be another band member, says a lot about their personalities. I've always said Joe joining the eagles would be like John Mayer joining the Foo Fighters.

[@LPManic]

This is possibly the worst comment I've ever read on KZbin.

[@TraceVandal]

@@LPManic Imagine being an unpaid shill for a giant corporation that hasn't put out a decent guitar in 20 years....

[@McDuffin]

It’s actually not a bad comparison.

[@Doyouevenart69]

@@LPManic😂😂😂 I could not agree more. I can’t tell if this is guy is trolling or being dead serious. John Mayor is just about the farthest thing from Pat Smear or the Germs that I could possibly think of. A slightly more realistic comparison might of been something like Johnny Marr joining Modest Mouse and even that isn’t the same

[@alphanerd7221]

Joe Walsh had hits on the radio, not a dead obscure punk band.

[@IgnatiusAlpha]

Pat Smear and The Germs are legends. We Must Bleed is one of the best punk rock songs ever recorded.

[@billbored8277]

Funny they got so big, and sold all those albums and played arenas...... I saw 'em in a school gym back in the day. Was literally 3 feet from Cobain, the stage was like a foot off the ground, I could have grabbed him. But it was a fun show, they had a lot of energy, we were moshing and just being crazy. Aaaahhhhhh those were fun times.

[@nachurecooking]

I've been a fan of these guys for a very long time. Kurt sometimes believed that he got lucky for becoming an icon but I don't think so, he had real talent for arts in general. His intelligence, hard work, talent and sacrifices made him successful. And then, we have one of the best bands with some of the best songs all time!

[@dmblum1]

I saw them in Grenoble France (400 francs) - it was a like seeing them at a high school prom, that’s how small the venu was (no seats). It was transcendent, but it was just before the end so maybe they didn’t want to talk about it. I was so lucky to be an exchange student to univ. that year (i went for the skiing).

[@Doyouevenart69]

That’s amazing I’m definitely jealous!

[@jazminratzlaff5357]

You are one of the greatest interviewers Conan, love when Pat joined Nirvana. Grand addition, sense of humour and attitude and also to the Foo Fighters. ♥️❤ 🎸 🎶🎵 😆🤣😂

[@JazmynBWalker]

i'm 24. I just went down the rabbit hole of what is Nirvana and boy am I glad I did.

[@Taylorcamp-y7t]

the kurt firing the caterer over macaroni thing is so beautiful.

[@catmejia6109]

Krist looks great, love this interview…Dave has been able to make his own mark in music ….how awesome ❤❤❤

[@ChaoticGoodDeeds]

This is a great interview Conan, thank you!

[@DonnyLusk]

It's nice seeing Krist so lively here!

[@jmillz713]

I'm so glad I got to see the In Utero tour in Seattle.

[@team7us]

I can't get enough of seeing Chris here. Never really got a chance to get an idea of his personality and stuff.

[@DirtyDirkDiggler]

Who’s Chris?

[@alexsmith-rs6zq]

Krist

[@chadgrov]

Krist has always been a gentle giant

[@ivaerz4977]

He is the guy in come as you are video playing bass and dancing.

[@DirtyDirkDiggler]

@@ivaerz4977 No, that would be Krist Novoselic..

[@markcotter4213]

Pat always seems to have a smile on his face

[@mickjames5388]

THIS is a quality interview!!! Wow!

[@matan.saster]

It was definitely a trip seeing Butthole Surfers and Bobcat Goldthwait open for Nirvana. There was another band too, Chokebore. I remember being excited about Butthole Surfers because of their hit single “Pepper”, but that was not their typical style!

[@cactaceous]

I saw Nirvana twice in 1993 when I was 14 and the openers were Jesus Lizard in the one before In Utero was released and the other was with The Breeders and Half Japanese after In Utero. A friend I met in college from Chicago told me he saw Bobcat and Mudhoney open when he saw them and an ex coworker from Canada saw them with the Meat Puppets and the Boredoms. What city were you at?

[@Nobodys-Favourite]

Pepper came out 2 YEARS after Kurts death

[@matan.saster]

@@Nobodys-Favourite crazy!

[@krisfrederick5001]

I wish Pat could have contributed on In Utero, I love the subtle things he does sonically on the tour but, ultimately Kurt was the maestro. Such good energy between them. After Kurt's "intervention" in March they jammed together in his basement at the Lake Washington house. It would be amazing to hear what came of that.

[@arejayheix]

I saw them live on that tour at the Denver Coliseum. The Breeders and The Melvins opened for them.

[@drzecelectric4302]

Saw that tour in Springfield MA!

[@dacechasinghawk3910]

Ya? I was totally stoked when Pat joined Nirvava.

[@leeprobert7420]

That Humour from Krist at the end 😂😂 I can imagine Kurt laughing at that 😢

[@levithomas915]

Edna Gunderson writing for AARP now… I hope she bought a stake in Hot Topic Merch. 😊

[@scottvanderlinden118]

Love the Smear I stopped buttering my toast and started Smearing it immediately love you Pat🤘

[@pauletamlz]

Krst Novoselic - Guitarist of Nirvana LOL

[@kirkwatson1442]

He was,our muse❤

[@negtivecreep6642]

I sometimes day dream about nirvana with pat smear, what their next two albums would have sounded like. How their sound would evolve to keep up with the 2000s.

[@xx-jp2yt]

GERMSSSS

[@TheMartialCardist]

Kurt gets 99% of the praise about Nirvana but Dave and Krist made those brilliant songs Kurt wrote go from great to generational recordings

[@commiehunter733]

Kurt's voice came at the right time in music. Before Kurt it was a lot of big hair bands singing big ballads and Kurt was the antithesis to this

[@thebasementband8366]

Dude the beat ever. Thank you guys. I’m an old dude. Thinking about blife and doing it. So cool. Thank you.

[@Treme1Sakbam]

Upload the whole interview please!!!!

[@officialnickelcitygrunge]

I can listen to this forever, love and miss Nirvana 😊❤❤❤

[@obiecabella4985]

❤️pat for decades! Thx 4 this…..👏🔥oliver

[@bop-g7602]

Watching Pat is quite like watching Angus Young or Eddie Van Halen.Pat is one of the best performers on stage with a guitar I ever seen

[@bocagoodtimes1460]

I’ll always respected Nirvana knowing they needed to fill out the sound live.

[@mapwezt]

I loved this. Especially the last 3 seconds from krist.

[@digitalbobby42]

I was at that show in the LA forum 12/30/93, where Bobcat introduced Nirvana and the Butthole Surfers opened...incredible concert!

[@SoloAdventureDiva]

This This This!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great interview!!!!!!!!

[@Vanadeo]

I could listen to these guys all day.

[@cloudyeight]

I love that it says "Dave Grohl - Nirvana Drummer" when he starts talking... I like to think he would sigh... drop his head in his hands... And laugh.

[@Micah_4D]

Krist kept his receipts: Edna Gundersen and Rex Reid.

[@czechpirc3212]

My favorite setlist was from the boredoms at Lolla, glad they got a mention

[@Micah_4D]

The internet may not have been ubiquitous in 1993, but today Edna Gundersen will go viral.

[@CurbBlurbs]

Pat ABSOLUTELY needed to be here. But having Albini is the perfect fill in

[@jlindell6532]

krist is one hell of a bass player doesn't get enough credit. some of those bass lines in nevermind has a melodic touch that i haven't heard anyone get close to since

[@rockerbob949]

I was at one of the “arena shows” at the end of 91”that Dave was talking about. The ones they played with Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was at the L.A. show

[@HopeMakesMeHappy]

Never knew Conan was so into their history :) Another reason he's the GOAT. those guys are my heroes 🤘💥💯

[@SamuelDuplessis12]

Yeah Conan was a fan because his version of Late Night started not too long after This album they're talking about back in 93.

[@Vic-Valentine]

1:58 ah yes. my favorite guitarist from Nirvana, Krist Noboselic

[@commanderofrelationships]

RIP Steve Albini

[@chadrobert4375]

Keep doing this Conan this was awesome 👏

[@zimbanation]

Yes more band interviews

[@jackgreentree9616]

I know pat didn’t have anything to do w the recording of in utero, but he’s apart of the albums touring history and at the very least he could’ve been invited. I’m sure they talked about plenty that went beyond its recording and he certainly would have stuff to chime in about

[@fletchermunson6225]

Bobcat Goldwaith got in some trouble setting Jay Leno's guest couch on fire during a show.

[@elinrannveig200]

Good for him

[@JohnntLikesToEatStuff]

RIP Steve Albini...

[@ryanh4975]

The thing about the Mac & Cheese is funny AF because I would do the same thing. 😂

[@66matthi]

Krist plays bass!!

[@traviswilliams4548]

Yes, bass GUITAR

[@afauxican_american]

Albini wearing the coveralls like he's an engineer in the engine room of a submarine.

[@johncarpenter8527]

Never mind is literally one of the best albums to ever been recorded