Join Dave Grohl and Pat Smear As They Visit L.A.’s Holiest David Bowie Sites

If you’re one of the millions of people who’ve heard Nirvana’s cover of the David Bowie classic “The Man Who Sold the World” from their Unplugged album, you already know that Dave Grohl and Pat Smear are devout Bowie fans. But did you know that Smear and his bandmates in the Germs used to stalk Bowie all over 1970s Los Angeles? Join us as Smear and Grohl drive around town (in a custom and, as Grohl says, “totally ‘90s” Ford Bronco) visiting Bowie’s L.A. homes, both personal and creative. Along the way the two bandmates reminisce, nerd out on Bowie trivia and even pick up a legendary passenger. (Also, they call Joan Jett.) We can’t imagine anyone we’d rather celebrate Bowie’s memory with than these guys. Enjoy.
Special thanks to:
Shirley Morales at ltd los angeles
English Disco art exhibit created by: Dennis Hoekstra
The Rainbow Bar and Grill
Ford Bronco art created by Venice beach graffiti artist Jules Muck
Rodney Bingenheimer
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[@lunar_tunes]

dave singing "back that azz up" and pat just sitting there like "oh god, here he goes again" as if this is something that happens all the time (because it probably is) cracks me up every single time

[@eliza7333]

HAHAHA

[@pablodebella7695]

you can tell right away, Pat must have had the greatest parents ever, few people are so naturally happy.

[@everlong7012]

😭😭

[@jamesdurham6548]

Some might call being happy...gay .

[@mike_frese_4517]

@@jamesdurham6548 most gay men aren’t married to a woman who they have kids with lmfao

[@bongdonkey]

@@mike_frese_4517 Tripped me out when I heard he had wife and kids. Until 5 yrs ago I thought Pat was Gay as well. And I thought he was Chicano. He is half Jewish I think. Salut!

[@damen8409]

They do be synonyms

[@MrBikboi]

Pat Smear is a genuine dude who doesn't get enough credit.

[@Filterite5]

I know right. The germs, nirvana, foo fighters. Total legend!

[@christophersmith8486]

I think he’s fine with that...

[@stevereisman6872]

@@christophersmith8486 But why did he change his name to Pat Smear, it sounds like the procedure women, the Pap Smear test....what's up with that? I mean, I admire and love the man but what's with the name?

[@RockyH.]

Yeah I agree I think he's great and his playing is real good Kurt was right to pick him up.

[@stephaniemccoy9602]

@@stevereisman6872 It's his stage name. His real name is Georg Ruthenburg I believe.

[@rosslenoir4373]

joan jet on speed dial. the life

[@ExclusiveLM]

After watching Pat on this video, I realized why Kurt wanted him on the band. Pat's energy.......... He's so relaxed. He is a good human being. So, Dave being cool and mellow too guarantees they both will definitely be friends for the rest of their lives. Fuck. I want to see Dave and Pat hosting a show at least once a week or once a month where they just talk about encounters they had with other famous people. They should get paid a lot of money by a network or Netflix to do a show like that. If you agree thumbs up.

[@exclamationpointman3852]

Strange. I remember Pat hosting a fashion show on MTV back in the day, it wasnt until long after that i realized he was even a musician much less Nirvana. I saw him with a guitar and i said to myself "isnt that the fashion show guy?!?!?!?"

[@smarkmalark]

@@exclamationpointman3852 wait seriously?? I never heard of that but I really wanna see it now, was this before Nirvana?

[@exclamationpointman3852]

@@smarkmalark right after I believe. early 2000s

[@blistabliss]

Welll also because he was the guitar player for The Germs... a highly misunderstood underrated band that took me a while to understand their genius. A lot of people think they just sound like shit and it's easy come to that conclusion but if you read Darby Crash's lyrics and listen to pats guitar playing you can understand why Joan fucking Jett wanted to produce their album and why they're Fleas favorite band and one John Frusciante's as well. I highly recommend checking them out and if you don't like it or get it (which was my initial reaction) watch some documentaries about them. They're on KZbin. Peace and love all.

[@travisrowe7697]

It’d be better as a podcast they do by themselves with zero corporate sponsors.

[@PoorStargazer]

Can Dave and pat just have their own show? Their chemistry is awesome!

[@CLA82529]

+Brittany Loveless that would be great.

[@michaelweston2285]

@Brittany Loveless like that 2005 Foo Fighters album In Your Honor

[@MarceloKuroi]

Yes! I probably go as far as watching their gay porno film, if they do that.

[@cellardoor199991]

Musicians in cars eating junk food

[@Enviros]

Nirvana had a chemistry!

[@gagewalser8866]

Dave Grohl singing Back That Azz up is pure gold 😂😂😂💯

[@cptmcnugget6848]

when you're driving around LA and a wild Dave Grohl and Pat Smear run across the street

[@jaretgandee8330]

I would 100 percent know who they are I'd be like "wow. Cool!"

[@GrimKage]

I'd be like: hey, half of Nirvana just ran across the street, cool

[@auntjenifer7774]

In oj Simpson white Ford bronco no less !?

[@michaelantoniotti2738]

All these years I thought they called him Pap Smear.

[@exclamationpointman3852]

Yo is that everyday life there?!?!?!?!

[@wanderingtear8882]

Yes the friendship between Dave and Taylor was legendary they were practically soulmates but the chemistry and brotherhood between Dave and Pat is extremely epic too!

[@dandunning7731]

"Have you tried the garlic bread?" "No, it's a prop." "Don't say that on camera!"

[@ComradeStiv]

God imagine driving around historic Hollywood holy grounds for a day with _the_ Pat Smear as your tour guide and sage storyteller. Protect this man at all costs 💖

[@shawnreimer1017]

Folks , this is the most Pat Smear has talked. It s rare we see him talk and he s an pretty chill mellow low key guy just like Dave.. rock star LEGENDS! 🤘🏻

[@AnthonyCassidy50]

Thanks for this. I was looking for an interview of Pat Smear - and I guess this is as good as it gets!

[@ukkovuorela4196]

No one ever talks about Pat, he seems like a super cool guy and he is a great player too

[@gemee1]

I could watch these two banter for YEARS. I love hearing Pat laugh!

[@patrickgill8030]

When Dave ghrol started saying back that ass up I lost it 😂

[@raffiequler7510]

That was actually a real hip hop song in the 90s. No kidding there.

[@batman4452]

wait kids today don't know that? Wow, I'm old.

[@patrickgill8030]

Raffie Quler i already know that lol im not stupid

[@raffiequler7510]

Patrîck gîll I am not so sure you knew.

[@patrickgill8030]

Raffie Quler lol well i sure do. you wouldnt know. thats the reason i was laughing is because he was singing the song. he just wouldnt randomly say it.

[@1212sman]

Dave Grohl is just a huge geek about all this stuff. Like the whole Sonic Highways thing. Best freakin' dude in the whole world.

[@cadillacblue3412]

I met Bowie in front of Top Hat cleaners on Santa Monica... We spoke and he called me "mate" it was a memorable day!

[@JaycRam]

Pat and Dave need to be cohosts of a series: they pick up musicians in the white Bronco, cruise around the streets of L.A., and just chat.

[@PhilipDrakeMusic]

Dave and Pat seem like really chill guys.

[@Superduperfacts]

Dave taps the steering wheel, better than most drummers play the drum kit - ROCK GOD

[@kiekko673]

SuperDuperFacts You’re clearly not a drummer...

[@yoda5436]

hes a good drummer but those are strong words dude

[@jeff7764]

Pretty sure he doesn’t

[@jaidcz9068]

the only reason im not liking this is cuz theres 420 likes

[@bigbowlowrong4694]

@Michael Rueger Yeah the poser pop rock pussy that wrote Scentless Apprentice😆

[@DanielScanlon463]

I'd absolutely shit myself if I was driving around and I see dave and Pat fucking around. How cool

[@cardbored_]

"he sang on a water bed. He sat cross legged, in his dress" Only Bowie.

[@jackgyurunyan8095]

I met Pat Smear 2 days ago. He was shopping around with his Daughter. Had the pleasure to help him out. Super cool guy! Such an awesome experience.

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

I just got really upset hearing Dave tell the email exchange story, now I have tears rolling down my face... It's perfect

[@humanoidbastard673]

Sounds perfect

[@Anthraxicus]

"Famous people famous people right here, you see it?" I died. :)

[@exclamationpointman3852]

You lived.

[@cynicalheis]

Pat Smear: 10% human, 90% smile

[@Michael-ou4lq]

Pat smear -10% human 110% punk

[@sixfootfiveman112]

and a 100% reason to remember his name

[@chadwhitenight5495]

Pat Smile

[@matiascasanova2054]

he is so high

[@vandorb12]

Dave! Seatbelt! I don't want to lose a legend to a car accident!

[@bounce5870]

+vandorb12 Um he does have his seatbelt on

[@vandorb12]

Well, shoot. He does. But he's not wearing it right.

[@flaherty5090]

+vandorb12 that's how I wear a seatbelt because I'm an awkward height where it just digs right into my neck

[@01dg73g23]

he doesn't have it on the whole time look at 1:20 ...

[@noahmckelvie134]

Me neither! I don't want to hear about another Chi Cheng (1970-2013).

[@patton303]

Pat Smear is the perfect bandmate. I love these two together.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

To give you guys an example on how close Pat and Kurt were: look up the footage of Francis' first birthday party in "Montage of heck" Pat was there at Kurt's house. Note also during that MTV interview before the "In utero tour" started, that Kurt jokingly went "You're not gonna call me Darby, do you?" to Pat when his past with the Germs came up. AND Pat had to sell everything he owned just to fly to Seattle to Join the band and Kurt went and gave him a guitar to use and a Nirvana credit card.

[@murdermuseum8280]

They couldn't pay for his flight? I find this hard to believe.

[@harrymonk6]

@@murdermuseum8280 they said they would get him some work but his got to make his own way there

[@Galaxy-ice1]

I would love to have a Nirvana credit card.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

There ARE people who love to learn about that stuff you know.

[@marvinangel8832]

@@harrymonk6 really weird that Geffen didnt pay the flight. Or nirvana pocketmoney...

[@cocochanel9291]

I need more Pat Smear in life.

[@HumanCarBomb]

@ 7:01 "Have you tried the garlic bread?" "No, it's a prop!"

[@NickMartinproductions]

"Parking killed rock n roll. What saved rock and roll? Uber." xD

[@xbettiepage2194]

Seriously parking was so horrible... you go out with your friends and have a really great night at the club, only to come back to your car with a ticket on it, or even worse, find it had been towed. That's why Uber saved Rock and Roll literally. ;)

[@TheodorKK]

we need more videos like this with Dave!

[@conorsmith8551]

kurt would be smiling seeing pat and dave together like this again.

[@robotube7361]

Kurt would be smiling and saying something like "Why are you two making asses of yourselves on camera ?"

[@ryanlee6538]

Highly doubt that honestly

[@tommeredith7462]

I like how Dave kept in touch with Pat Smear after Nirvana ended. Inviting Pat to join the Foo Fighter’s has been very helpful to Pat financially. Pat has at least 10 million in the bank and throughout the year’s has been a great friend to Dave, his fellow band mates as well as Dave’s own family.

[@TheSoloAsylum]

If you are getting email from Bowie....you really have no complaints, your life is going pretty well.

[@murdermuseum8280]

Still very rude of Bowie to be a dick and say Fuck off.

[@starman8853]

Murder Museum just Bowie’s sense of humour... he obviously wasn’t serious if he continued the conversation without issues

[@derektrotter4287]

Murder Museum obviously you’re not British 👍

[@beattodeath]

No email in 79. Darby died the same day as Lennon

[@sexysadie2901]

@@murdermuseum8280 It was a joke.🙄

[@cmrobby]

"Famous people! Famous right here!" Ahaha

[@lotofbitsabout]

Cody Robinson I would have bailed out of that moving van...😀

[@planetmaru]

me too ! I took one of those tours last year,(first time in LA) ,but didn't see any celeb at all. I can't even imagine how it would be meeting Dave in that circunstance!! I'd probably have jumped out of that van haha

[@Lengsel7]

He can sell maps to his own house.

[@cristiangarcia1260]

@@lotofbitsabout Dave is such a nice guy I would meet him and then feel bad about bothering him on the street haha

[@SnowTheJamMan]

I did not expect Pat to have a voice like that..... at all

[@megmo05]

Dave singing “Back Dat Ass Up” by Juvenile, whilst literally backing his Bronco into a parking stall gave me life @6:34

[@JustLikeHeaven77]

lol. back that ass up, famous people, right here, back that ass up, famous people, hey, famous people, right here. Dave just wrote the new beyonce single. lmfao.

[@YuTu13e]

Well that’s good, because she’s certainly not going to right it herself.

[@nedtheproducer5777]

he didn’t even say it like that

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

Those lyrics could be the new single of thousands of performers today.

[@carisusue]

It doesn't surprise me that Bowie wrote back to Darby. Bowie used to write to people he admired and was always really surprised and thrilled when they wrote back. It makes sense that Bowie would return the favor.

[@renjay3743]

+Carina E. He'd have spelled it favour.

[@griffinwagner635]

“Was the water bed always in the living room?” “Yeah” “Seventies, man” I’m dead

[@exclamationpointman3852]

Youre alive

[@sstaners1234]

It's kinda cool to see Pat and Dave into Bowie that hardcore. Bowie will always be my favorite songwriter. Just a great artist that will be missed.

[@TheMrruiz714]

He's freaken awesome! He starts singing "back that azz up" haha

[@bwillzzz3432]

dave singing ‘back that thang up’ and pat just not aknowledging it has me ded 💀💀

[@TheOmlink]

This was so cool! The Bowie story is dark... Sad. But I love how casual they are about the 70's madness like having a water bed in the living room. 😂

[@danb8891]

ahah the first 4 seconds... a natural drummer's tic, playing some beat everywhere with anything !

[@exessex3522]

My son does that but he's not a drummer. He seems to have music playing in his head most of the time though.

[@yogabbagabbs2026]

i feel like dave grohl and pat smear need to do a reality tv show because this is too good haha

[@joshm2690]

Pat Smear is so great and his name should be so much more famous . hes played and jammed in so many iconic bands including Nirvana .

[@mikeborgmann]

I dont know why but picturing pat and Darby following David Bowie around amuses me quite a bit!

[@sianspherica]

I can see why when Pat wanted to rejoin Foo Fighters, Dave insisted to the rest of the band that he should rejoin. There is just a natural chemistry between the two of them. That David Bowie story is dark though =(

[@johncerar1138]

Pat always smiles....TY God he is so happy.

[@Duskwuffie]

Universe bless you Dave and crew. I'm heading back to Seattle as soon as I can. Universally Connected, we are.

[@bryanriggs9639]

I have been obsessed with The Germs and Darby my whole life and this is the first time I'm hearing about the letter from Bowie. Makes so much sense...

[@the_minimalistic_adventure]

It has to be oddly weird to be Dave and Pat, two massive legends in their own right, driving past every day people just walking down the street, knowing what kind of history they've had in the music world and in general. I seen an older lady get out of her car through Dave's window. They're in outer space, while the lady is just going about her daily life. Two completely different ends of the spectrum.

[@Americanspy-hn2kw]

They're really no different than regular people

[@marvinangel8832]

Think theyre already used to it after so many years of being famous

[@0000song0000]

well, they have always been themselves... i love Pat because he kept trying to make it no matter why... after the germs he even did acting gigs and played backing bands... thank God, Kurt rescued him from oblivion... Pat is light, Pat is love 😍

[@kapwapoedolomitetalabritne8841]

Since the Nirvana days they still have great chemistry Kurt must be so happy

[@delishme2]

I felt like the ghost of Bowie was riding around with them, sitting in the back seat full of swag and smoking a cigarette. Fuck I miss him too, I still feel sad when I think about him, but it was really nice to hear these little personal little anecdotes, left me wanting more.. Awesome guys, thank you 🙏❤

[@rodakjones7574]

Oh Jesus. Simmer down,. Captain Overdramatic.

[@tobytyaunnjackson6969]

I'm not sure how it is possible to dislike either of these guys.

[@BrandonChaunceyOfficial]

Who else realizes Pat Smear is 57?

[@cloudmonkey2686]

Jesus really?

[@cellardoor199991]

Both him and Dave look super young for their age.

[@cloudmonkey2686]

MR.X that's why I was confused. He doesn't look like he's pushing sixty

[@cloudmonkey2686]

***** all stars seem to age well especially now days. They can afford to eat right and have personal chefs and trainers and surgery lol

[@brainrot5267]

Daniel Malone Nah Bowie just had good genetics

[@dsouthmonster]

I gotta say this is one of the most prized videos to me I think I've watched this like 6 or 7 times in total over the years.

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

It pleases me that Dave uses his blinker.

[@jcarson3721]

Except when he's using the wrong one 4:27 lol

[@BlueBlazer89]

@@jcarson3721 He had the left blinker on still cause he just turned left. Not hard to see.

[@sebbe91]

He use the blinker, but not his seatbelt lmao

[@Danjoker.]

He's a good man

[@EdekLay]

Indicator *

[@ratbones620]

Dave and Pat have an amazing chemistry. If they had a show together I would definitely watch it!

[@bradygibson2125]

0:59 that car wash has had so many skaters at it, truly legendary

[@tlp-uz1il]

I remember getting super stoked that they showed it when I seen this for the first time LOL

[@TheStepmonkey]

0:05 "Chips?" LOL Pat is so wholesome❤

[@Robyn-rs6ux]

Imagine driving down the street and seeing dave grohl and pat smear run across, danm i think i jumped out of the car while it's still driving

[@mkaylor121]

Dave while he's backing up parking singing back that ass up LOL

[@blviking56]

if only krist was there

[@cellardoor199991]

It's really not his thing anymore. He doesn't "put-on-a-show" for the camera. He's more of a Charlie Rose, CNN interview kinda guy.

[@cellardoor199991]

Not to mention he's passed 50 and very mature.

[@cellardoor199991]

***** Yeah, but Pat is more flamboyant and up for the camera

[@snottylottie]

If only kurt was there :(

[@xbmpr]

MR.X that never really was his thing

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Bowie's LA days were pretty grim for him. He described his time living in LA as "knowing only bad people doing bad things". And he had a major cocaine addiction. He left LA for West Berlin and cleaned up and made his greatest records imho.

[@apemellowman]

Just confirms the fact that to hang out with Dave would be awesome!

[@wanderingtear8882]

“Chips?” OMG LOL!!! Gotta love Pat!

[@IM-lf5qp]

Tbh I had never heard Pat talk until this video so this first word I ever heard him say "was chips?"

[@spencedelic]

Can't imagine what another Nirvana album would be like with Pat Smear, wild

[@nwdproductions7490]

PoptartFrozen yah but it wouldn't be the same without Kurt

[@spencedelic]

I said Nirvana album as in with Kurt NWD Productions

[@nwdproductions7490]

PoptartFrozen well he's dead so....

[@spencedelic]

+NWD Productions thats why I can't imagine

[@jonboshears7767]

@@nwdproductions7490 lol jesus man let the kid speculate

[@lagilbert67]

Bowie encouraged Darby Crash That’s super cool

[@inspectrgajit]

I love Dave and Pat's friendship! Two kids hanging out

[@Joshthepurple]

I could watch Dave and Pat telling stories in the Rainbow for hours

[@denzilhamm331]

Dave's rendition of Back That Ass Up has me in literal tears

[@nerdy_.rockstar8254]

Right when he said "Chips" I automatically knew this was my favorite video.

[@00708046]

The thing I like most about Dave Grohl is he is so likable and friendly . Probably the same for Pat .

[@RandyWillcox]

This might be the best 10 minutes on KZbin. Also, Pat Smear seems like he would be the best f*cking best friend.

[@tleeg74]

Pat seems like such a chill dude. Dave does too, of course.

[@David13579]

The best road trip partner is someone who gets into your car and says “chips?”

[@user-sr4vj9sw2o]

What the world needs now is more of these men!

[@leoamaya1818]

This is amazing... I wish I could hang out with them. David Grohl was my inspiration. Been a son was the first song I learned to play at age 13.

[@louise7552]

Nirvana covering Man Who Sold the World on MTV is my favourite ever. Still listening to it, Pat is a master on acoustic guitar. ❤

[@Timd92]

The part about no birthdays left was upsetting

[@clckwrk641]

Dave Grohl singing "Back That Azz Up" at 6:30 is my favorite piece of the internet

[@Filterite5]

The Dave & pat show ! Love it

[@thehutch7728]

I would be happy to watch a KZbin channel that just featured Dave Grohl telling stories. Adding Pat Smear for backup/details would be a bonus.

[@EmeraldComposer]

"This car is TOTALLY 90's" *Driving around in a white Bronco* Well I mean they're not wrong...

[@naldy888ace8]

Dave and Pat have a good chemistry, way back from Nirvana, until now in Foo Fighters good choice Dave, I think Pat is a good friend.. Long live Dave & Pat and the rest of Foo Fighters. #1 fan from "Philippines"

[@TlPSYDUB]

This is such a dope video. They should have there own show !!!

[@adamfindlay7091]

Pat n Dave show up @ your house...😮❤Joan! This's cool. Nice to hear @bout Darby.

[@DearArianaMusic]

My favorite part is when Dave Grohl was singing "Back That Ass Up", and Pat basically ignores him because he's known him for 25 years and they've become like brothers.

[@colekoopmans3819]

If Darby Crash and David Bowie started a band it would probaly be one of the most influential songs that could have possibly been written.

[@jasonconrad4314]

Dave singing "Back dat Azz up" is too funny

[@cherylb2008]

David grohl, sighhhhhhh.. Me wants.❤️ Pat smear and him together, just hilarious to listen too. The best stories ever.

[@elenareed2103]

Pat Smear talks! A lot! Like the most I've ever heard this guy speak. Words behind the ever-present Smear smile. :>)

[@Catboy.]

Man dave is such a wholesome guy.

[@henryricatto1117]

Dave Grohl singing juvenile lyrics is incredible

[@g-urts5518]

Think this is the reason ff seem so humble. Cause they truly are. Love seeing giant rock stars totally awestruck by another person. Makes them seem so much more... human