100 Best Grunge Bands
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Grunge Bands of the '80s and '90s
The grunge sound developed in the ‘80s and became a phenomenon in the ‘90s. The roots of grunge emerged in the late ‘80s when bands in the underground movement started experimenting with a heavier sound in alternative subculture. The grunge sound evolved as musicians from varied rock genres formed musical collaborations and started exploring ideas based on a riff-based sound. The diverse collaborations among musicians in alternative genres spawned a new sound that gave grunge its musical identity. Elements of punk rock incorporated in a heavy sound of distorted electric guitar, bass drums and snarly vocals form the core sound of grunge expression.
The list below showcases a diverse collection of bands associated with grunge. If you are a fan of the Seattle sound you will have something to say. Feel free to share your views and opinions in the comments section.
Top 10 Best Grunge Bands
- Nirvana
- Mudhoney
- Alice In Chains
- Melvins
- Mother Love Bone
- Soundgarden
- Blood Circus
- Tad
- Mad Season
- Skin Yard
What Is Grunge?
Grunge is a genre of rock music and a subculture that emerged through the Seattle scene in the mid-80s. Also known as the Seattle sound, the grunge movement came into prominence through the underground music scene that flourished in Seattle and its neighboring towns. This hybrid style of metal incorporates core elements of punk and heavy metal fused with a distorted guitar sound syncopated with displaced rhythmic accents of drums, bass and vocals. Grunge has played a pivotal role in influencing different forms of modern rock.
#11—20
11. Stone Temple Pilots
12. Temple of the Dog
13. Love Battery
14. Pearl Jam
15. Jane’s Addiction
16. The Gits
17. Green River
18. Silverchair
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19. Candlebox
20. Screaming Trees
The Emergence of Grunge in the ‘80s
The underground alternative scene in the late ‘80s paved way for the grunge revolution in the ‘90s. Seattle is considered the birthplace of grunge by purists. Towards the late ‘80s, the underground music scene helped many bands emerge on the Seattle Scene with their eclectic mix associated with alternative music. Sub Pop, an independent record label established by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington is credited to being one of the early record labels to promote grunge bands in a big way.
The alternative music scene helped many musicians from diverse musical background emerge with their brand of grunge. The Seattle music scene was an amalgamation of varied musical forms coming from diverse musical backgrounds. The collaborations of metal and punk sounds in the ‘80s paved the way for grunge. The post punk garage bands in the local punk scene in many ways helped grunge evolve with a brand new identity. Bands such as The Accused, The Fartz, The U-Men, Fastbacks and 10 Minute Warning played an influential role in helping the grunge sound evolve.
#21—40
21. The U-Men
22. Paw
23. Everclear
24. Dinosaur Jr.
25. Foo Fighters
26. Willard
27. Killdozer
28. Tripping Daisy
29. Bush
30. Hole
31. L7
32. 7 Year Bitch
33. The Smashing Pumpkins
34. Pixies
35. Beasts of Bourbon
36. Sonic Youth
37. Witness
38. Feedtime
39. Seaweed
40. Local H
The ‘90s Grunge Scene
With the ‘90s came commercial success for grunge bands. Releases by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Stone Temple Pilots propelled the popularity of grunge to new heights. A number of grunge bands achieved phenomenal success with their albums in the ‘90s. The commercial success grunge achieved gave alternative music a boost making the genre popular in mainstream. Kurt Cobain, singer of Nirvana, instantly became an iconic figure in the grunge scene, influencing and inspiring a grunge generation.
The introspective and angst-filled lyrics in grunge about socially conscious issues such as apathy, confinement, desire of freedom, neglect, social alienation, psychological trauma, betrayal, depression, self-doubt, emotional isolation, and withdrawal struck the right chords with listeners, especially youth. The explorations of concepts such as being ‘true to oneself’ were aesthetically expressed through lyrics. Grunge phenomena had mesmerized the world.
Major record labels started signing record deals with grunge bands. By the mid-90s grunge had become one of the most popular subgenre in rock. The popularity of grunge globally led to the fall of glam metal and hair metal bands in the ‘90s. Many glam metal bands and hair metal bands disbanded after being dropped by record labels that started favoring grunge acts. Only few glam metal and hair metal managed to survive the grunge onslaught in the ‘90s.
#41—60
41. Babes in Toyland
42. Veruca Salt
43. Toadies
44. Wooden Stars
45. Eric’s Trip
46. Moist
47. Truly
48. The Nymphs
49. Brad
50. Pond
51. Hater
52. The Scientists
53. Ammonia
54. Tree People
55. Dandelion
56. Blind Melon
57. SixTwoSeven
58. Flowerhead
59. Sloan
60. The Presidents of the United States of America
How Grunge Revolutionized the World
Grunge reached its peak in the ‘90s. The tonal qualities in grunge were awe-inspiring which helped connect with fans of rock music globally. The deep vocal style consisting of gravelly or raspy voice texture formed the characteristic sound along with down-tuned guitar sounds and dark lyrical themes. Moans, screams, groans and mumbles used by grunge vocalists in songs became an excessively popular expression in the realms of alternative music.
Grunge also had a big impact on clothing and lifestyle in the ‘90s. The grunge culture witnessed the ‘everyday style’ showcased in new light. Members of grunge bands and grunge fans typically wore ripped jeans, Doc Martens boots or combat boots, band tees, plaid shirts, and oversized knit sweaters. Grunge actually went onto become an anti-consumerist movement that associated attitude and coolness that represented spending less.
#61—80
61. Flipper
62. Nickelback
63. Cosmic Psychos
64. Sweet Water
65. Meat Puppets
66. Ween
67. Napalm Beach
68. Gruntruck
69. Matthew Good Band
70. Pavement
71. King Snake Roost
72. Wool
73. King Cobb Steelie
74. The Fluid
75. Nudeswirl
76. Cat Butt
77. Dig
78. My Sister’s Machine
79. Wipers
80. Lubricated Goat
Decline of Grunge
While it seemed the grunge movement would go on forever, the late ‘90s witnessed the decline of grunge. Many grunge bands disbanded as the nu metal sound and post grunge emerged in the ‘90s. The tide had suddenly turned in favor of new rock and alternative rock subgenres that paved a new direction for musical soundscapes.
While the grunge prominence ended towards the end of the ‘90s, the genre remains influential in inspiring a new breed of musicians in post grunge, nu metal and other genres in metal. The glory days for the biggest movement in rock history are over, question is… Will grunge make a big comeback?
#81—100
81. Hammerbox
82. Scratch Acid
83. Dickless
84. Puddle of Mudd
85. Salamander Jim
86. Gas Huffer
87. Treepeople
88. Hazel
89. X
90. Malfunkshun
91. Girl Trouble
92. Creed
93. Fecal Matter
94. Coffin Break
95. Fastbacks
96. Mr. Epp & The Calculations
97. Big Black
98. Marytree
99. Solomon Grundy
100. Failure
Other Notable Grunge Bands
- Sunny Day Real Estate
- Orangutang
- Sprinkler
- Kerbdog
- Rein Sanction
- Helmet
- Turfboy
- Guided By Voices
- Socotora
- Barkmarket
- Splendora
- The Jesus Lizard
- Recreator
- Greta
- Sharp Nine
- The Gitas
- Dover
- Gumball
- Thrillhammer
- Violent Soho
- Smile
- My Name
- 10 Minute Warning
- Nukeateen
- For Squirrels
- Sebadoh
- Dinosaur Pile-Up
- Big Stick
- The Accused
- Siddharta
- Volcano Suns
- The Thrown Ups
- Silverfish
- Catherine
- The Fartz
- Noiseheads
- Softy
- Deb and the Mentals
- Gravel
- Bundle of Hiss
- Nine Black Alps
© 2018 Ansel Pereira
Comments
Ansel Pereira (author) on March 14, 2018:
Hi Dan, Glad you enjoyed the read. The grunge days were special, It was a different vibe. Yes, Blind Melon was so much a part of the entire scene. i do hope the good old days of grunge make a comeback.
Dan Reed on March 14, 2018:
Lived this era. Miss this era. So glad to see Blind Melon on this list...so forgotten. Thanks for the time trip.