5 Movies About Grunge Music That You Need to See
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If you’re a fan of grunge music, then you’ll want to check out these five movies about the genre. From documentaries to feature films, these movies offer a great look at grunge music and its history.
What is Grunge Music?
Grunge music is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the early 1990s. Grunge music is typically characterized by heavy guitars, angsty lyrics, and a DIY aesthetic. If you’re a fan of grunge music, or if you’re curious about the genre, here are five movies about grunge music that you need to see.
Origins of Grunge Music
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in Seattle. It became commercially successful in the early 1990s, with the release of Nirvana’s album Nevermind and Pearl Jam’s album Ten, making grunge the most popular form of alternative rock at that time. Grunge was defined by a heavy guitar sound that was often distortion-filled, as well as bleak or angsty lyrics.
The term “grunge” was first used by music critic Mark Arm in his Seattle fanzine Desperate Times, to describe the dirty and sloppy sound of local bands such as Green River and Mudhoney. The genre would later be popularized by Nirvana’s album Nevermind, which broke into the mainstream in 1991. Other successful grunge bands include Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains.
The Grunge Sound
Grunge music is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by punk rock, hard rock, and heavy metal, grunge typically combines the heaviness of these genres with a DIY ethic, often producing a raw and unpolished sound.
Grunge bands focused on creating honest, personal music rather than music for mainstream appeal, and their lyrics were often angst-filled and deals with themes such as social alienation, apathy, addiction, and insecurity. Nirvana’s single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” from their 1991 album Nevermind is often credited as being the song that brought grunge into the mainstream.
While there are many great grunge bands, some of the most influential and memorable include Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots. If you’re interested in learning more about this incredible music genre, be sure to check out 5 Movies About Grunge Music That You Need to See.
Top 5 Movies About Grunge Music
The early 1990s were a time of great change in the music industry. Nirvana’s Nevermind album brought alternative music into the mainstream and changed the course of rock music. Grunge music was a big part of this movement, and there have been several movies made about it. Here are the top 5 movies about grunge music that you need to see.
Hype! (1996)
Hype! is a 1996 documentary about the grunge music scene in Seattle. The film was directed by Doug Pray and features interviews with almost everyone who was anyone in the grunge scene, including Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, and Eddie Vedder. It’s an essential watch for any fan of grunge music.
Kurt & Courtney (1998)
Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain were the two biggest grunge icons of the early ‘90s, so it’s no surprise that their relationship was the subject of a documentary. Kurt & Courtney is controversial for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it paints an unflattering picture of Ms. Love. It’s also interesting for its insights into the Seattle music scene of the time, and features some great live footage of Nirvana in their prime.
Last Days (2005)
Last Days is a 2005 American drama film directed, produced and written by Gus Van Sant. It is an autobiographical account of the final days of Kurt Cobain, as imagined by Van Sant. The film stars Michael Pitt as a musician who closely resembles Cobain. The film was neither a commercial nor critical success.
Everybody Loves Sunshine (1999)
This British film follows the fictional band, Lud, as they attempt to make it big in the early days of grunge music. The film takes a humorous look at the grunge music scene, and features performances from some of the biggest names in grunge, including Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam.
Basquiat (1996)
Basquiat is a 1996 American biographical drama film directed by Julian Schnabel and written by Schnabel and Lech Majewski. The film stars Jeffrey Wright as the eponymous American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. David Bowie, Dennis Hopper, Parker Posey, Benicio del Toro, and Claire Forlani appear in supporting roles.
Basquiat details Basquiat’s rise from street artist to requisite figure in the 1980s art scene in New York City, showing how a world built on race and wealth allowed his talent to shine through.
