Grunge Music
Table of Contents
The Birth of Grunge
Grunge grew out of the rainy, cloudy skies of Seattle in the late 1980s. Inspired by punk, metal, and a general disdain for mainstream culture, it was a genre that spoke to the disenchanted youth of the time.
But what is grunge, really? Imagine the rebelliousness of punk rock and the heaviness of metal getting together for a jam session in a dingy garage. That’s Grunge: raw, rebellious, and drenched in teen spirit.
Though it started as an underground movement, grunge exploded globally in the early ’90s, thanks to extensive media coverage and mainstream curiosity.
Grunge’s Forefathers
Nirvana
When you think of Grunge, you probably think of Nirvana. Led by the iconic Kurt Cobain, they brought grunge to the mainstream with hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Pearl Jam
Eddie Vedder and co. took a more classic rock approach to grunge, but with the same raw emotions.
Soundgarden
Led by the mighty Chris Cornell, Soundgarden’s psychedelic touch added a different flavor to grunge.
Alice In Chains
These guys mixed grunge with heavy metal and a dose of melancholy.
Grunge Fashion and Aesthetics
The grunge look is all about practicality and comfort. Think flannels, baggy jeans, and combat boots. The grunge aesthetic is anti-glamour, anti-commercial, and all about authenticity.
Must-Listen Grunge Albums: Your Starter Pack
- “Nevermind” – Nirvana
- “Ten” – Pearl Jam
- “Superunknown” – Soundgarden
- “Dirt” – Alice In Chains