The Best Grunge Bands from Seattle in the ’90s
If you’re looking for a list of the best grunge bands from Seattle in the ’90s, you’ve come to the right place!
Nirvana
Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. It was founded by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting and final drummer being Dave Grohl, who joined the band in 1990. Though the band dissolved in 1994 after the suicide of Cobain, their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock and roll culture.
Nirvana was considered a key group in the popularization of grunge music, and their success made a major impact on the genre. Their sound combined elements of punk rock and heavy metal into a subgenre that became known as “punk metal” or ” groove metal.”
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is one of the most commercially successful and influential grunge bands from Seattle in the ’90s. With hits like “Alive” and “Jeremy,” the band brought grunge to the mainstream and helped define a generation. Pearl Jam is also known for their political and social activism, often using their platform to support various causes.
Soundgarden
Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band’s full-time drummer in 1986 while recording the album Louder Than Love. Soundgarden was one of the seminal bands of the grunge movement in the early 1990s.
The band released six studio albums, four compilations, two live albums, and an extended play (EP). The members have also been involved with other musical projects outside of Soundgarden. In 1997, the band broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction. After more than a decade of inactivity, Soundgarden reunited in 2010 and has since recorded two new studio albums. As of 2012, Soundgarden had sold more than 10 million records in the United States and 20 million worldwide.
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr, who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez. Although widely associated with grunge music, the band’s sound incorporates heavy metal elements. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released six studio albums, three EPs, two live albums, four compilations, and two box sets.
The band is known for its distinctive vocal style, which often included the harmonized vocals of Staley and Cantrell. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s. The band’s first album, Facelift (1990), was a commercial success and was certified diamond by the RIAA for US sales of over ten million copies. The success of the album helped fuel interest in alternative rock music to reach a mainstream audience. The band’s second album, Dirt (1992), entered the Billboard 200 chart at number six and went on to be certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales of over four million copies. The group found further success with its third album, Alice in Chains (1995), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA for sales of over four million copies in America.
The band has sold more than 35 million records worldwide and has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards. Three of the band’s albums have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA; two being certified double platinum; one being certified triple platinum; two receiving nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance; one winning a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance; one being nominated for Best Rock Album; four getting nominations for MTV Video Music Awards and won two; five getting nominated for MTV Viewer’s Choice Awards Key Tracks: “Would?”, “Rooster”, “No Excuses”
Mudhoney
Mudhoney was one of the first grunge bands to come out of Seattle in the late ’80s. Their debut album, Superfuzz Bigmuff, was released in 1988 and is considered one of the most influential grunge albums of all time. The band continued to release great music throughout the ’90s, including their 1992 album, Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, which reached#1 on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart. Mudhoney disbanded in 2000 but reunited in 2006 and have been touring and releasing new music ever since.
