Legendary British grindcore pioneers Napalm Death have added another milestone to their storied career, becoming the first grindcore band ever to perform as part of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
The band delivered an eight-song set in the intimate office setting, tearing through a selection of tracks spanning their decades-long catalog. The performance featured:
- “Instinct Of Survival”
- “Strong-Arm”
- “Everyday Pox”
- “Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism”
- “Amoral”
- “Dead”
- “Scum”
- “You Suffer”
Vocalist Mark “Barney” Greenway reflected on the opportunity, noting his long-standing appreciation for NPR’s journalism and emphasizing that the band had no intention of toning down its signature intensity for a broader audience.
“I’ve dipped in and out of Democracy Now! via NPR Radio for decades now to get my unvarnished yet thoughtful North American news. So when the NPR Tiny Desk thing came up, it kind of blew my tiny mind a little bit.”
Greenway added that the band hoped viewers would come away with an appreciation for extreme music, while also encouraging support for public broadcasting amid ongoing challenges facing public media.
The performance was championed by NPR Music producer and writer Lars Gotrich, who said it was important that the first grindcore act featured on the series be the genre’s originators.
“The first grindcore band at the Tiny Desk had to be the founding fathers.”
Gotrich continued by praising the band’s legacy and cultural significance, calling Napalm Death not only a defining force in extreme music but also a group whose message remains relevant in today’s world.
The full Tiny Desk Concert is available now through NPR Music.
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