Foo Fighters “Sonic Highways” Series Features Two Montana Natives

If you've been watching the Foo Fighters document the making of their latest album on HBO, you may have noticed that a couple of their "Sonic Highways" have Montana roots.

The series, which follows the band visiting in 10 different US cities, began in Chicago, where they interviewed and recorded with acclaimed producer Steve Albini.  Albini grew up in Missoula and later moved to the Windy City, where he founded the influential punk band "Big Black".  Albini went on to become one of the most sought after recording engineers in the country, whose credits include: Urge Overkill, Pixies, The Breeders, Helmet, Fugazi, PJ Harvey, Bush, Veruca Salt, Cheap Trick, Chevelle, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and the classic Nirvana album "In Utero".

In the series premiere, the Foo Fighters record their first Sonic Highways single "Something from Nothing" at Albini's Electrical Audio Studios. The song also features legendary Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen.

The second episode features another Montana native named Mark Andersen.  Andersen grew up near Bozeman and attended Montana State University.  After graduating, Andersen moved to Washington, DC, and founded the activist organization Positive Force.  The organization went on to become a catalyst for the burgeoning punk rock scene, which included bands like Bad Brains, Minor Threat and Scream.  Dave Grohl's first concerts were at shows organized by Andersen.

Both Albini and Andersen reflect on their Montana upbringing in their respective episodes and credit their experiences with helping shape their careers. Here's a clip of Andersen discussing the rise of the DC punk scene in the 1980's.