Sabotage doesn't usually lead to good things. On a rare occasion, however, it does. This is the story of how an act of sabotage in the studio created the defining sound that led to Radiohead's first commercial hit, "Creep." And, how that song became one of the many slacker anthems of the early 1990s.

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The speed as which "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and the album it opened, Nevermind, catapulted grunge and alt rock band Nirvana into the mainstream in 1991 is unparalleled. Not just was the song the anthem of a generation, it became a defining cornerstone to the soundtrack of the 1990s.

This is the story behind the song, and how it helped save rock music, pushing alt rock and grunge into a worldwide cultural phenomenon.

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Punk originated during the mid 1970s, but its beginnings are steeped in the underground scene dating back to the mid 1960s. Today, Andy Fenstermaker with Poetic Wax looks at proto punk and its origination, coinciding and clashing with the mid-60s garage rock of the Pacific Northwest. In particular, a little band from Tacoma, Washington called The Sonics.

This episode of Poetic Wax digs deep into the music history of one of the earliest influences on punk rock. As The Sonics celebrate their 60th anniversary with a series of live shows (yes, they're STILL performing to this day), this is a fitting look back at their humble beginnings.

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In 2015, Jack White anonymously purchased the one off copy of Elvis Presley's first recording. This is the story of how that two-song record came to be, how White acquired it, and what happened next. It's a fascinating story of secrecy, mystery, and good business decisions.

This episode of Poetic Wax digs deep into music history and lore, exploring a sixty-year journey from 1953 to 2015, and concludes on a recent moment in White's career with the release of his new album No Name in 2024.

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In 1992, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins wrote what might very well be the most upbeat song about hopelessness and hitting rock bottom: "Today." Many look no further than the opening line "Today is the greatest day I've ever known," but dig deeper and the dark undertones are undeniable. This is the story and the history of the song, and how it came from an incredibly bleak period in the life of the famed frontman.

This episode of Poetic Wax digs deep, exploring the period between The Smashing Pumpkins first two releases. Gish in 1991 and Siamese Dream in 1993.

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