A music journo with Spin, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times is probably most well known for his biography of Nirvana (published six months before Kurt's death), and his excellent book of essays on American indie bands "Our Band Could Be Your Life". It's the kind of book that makes you want to follow a family tree of music, no matter when you were born. When he came in to Take 5 back in 2010, he shared the five bands that changed his life, and spoke candidly about what it was like to be let into Kurt Cobain's inner circle.

Talking Heads - "The Book I Read"The Beatles - "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"Fugazi - "Waiting Room"Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"Dirty Projectors - "Gimme Gimme Gimme"