There was a moment in the late 80s when a new generation of rock musicians born in the underground began to make a mark for themselves. By the early 90s, the faux-bravado of hair metal had been swept aside, and the noisy new Seattle grunge sound presented itself as a dirty, real alternative to the gloss on MTV.
These days some might think grunge is the reserve of Nirvana cover bands, but last week, Dave Grohl reminded us that the punk spirit of grunge is still alive and well. "If you mean loud a-s guitars, loud a-s drums, and screaming a-s vocals, that never went away," said Grohl.
When the Nirvana drummer says something like that, it's fair to take notice. But perhaps he didn't need to; the resurgence of classic 90s acts over the past few years has given us new albums and tours from Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and dozens more acts who either represented grunge or were inspired to form in its shadow.
Ladies and gentlemen, the top 10 grunge bands of all time.
10. Silverchair
This Australian outfit got their big break in 1994 when they won a demo competition on a major radio station. Their sound has since evolved from traditional grunge to increasingly complex orchestrations with a classical influence, but with record sales in excess of 6 million and dozens of music awards, they're still widely respected for their contribution to the genre.
9. Screeming Trees
Mark Lanegan is known to modern rock fans as a frequent guest singer on several Queens Of The Stone Age record (including their next release), but made his name fronting Screaming Trees. They distinguished themselves with additional psychedelic elements to their songs, but broke up in 2000 after reportedly finding it hard to write a successor to hit album "Dust".
8. Dinosaur Jr.
Known for generating walls of wailing feedback at live shows, Dinosaur Jr. were a high influence on underground American rock acts through the 80s. By 1990, the major label debut was effectively a solo record by band leader J. Mascis, with minimal contributions by other bandmates, and after 1997 he dropped the band name altogether - until a full reunion in 2005.
7. Temple Of The Dog
This unusual lineup was formed by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden after writing songs about the death of beloved singer Andrew Wood of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone in 1990. He recruited Wood's former bandmates and other future superstars such as Eddie Vedder, and they recorded a single album in tribute to their friend. When their respective bands hit the big time in the coming years, Temple Of The Dog became renown as a supergroup ahead of its time. Sadly, they've never reformed in this lineup.
6. Robin Daggers
Either I'm hilariously misinformed or this is a fictional act from a TV show. Well, you voted for it, so here it is.
5. Melvins
It's pretty hard to pin any single genre on Melvins. They venture into droning metal, stoner rock and hardcore punk - but it's fair to say they were an overwhelming influence on grunge artists. Frontman Buzz Osborne even introduced Dave Grohl to Kurt Cobain, the latter of whom was also a Melvins roadie for a period.
4. Soundgarden
It's no wonder that the top four acts are all from Seattle, because many cite this region (and the label Sub Pop) as the birthplace of grunge as we know it. Soundgarden were the first of their contemporaries to sign to a major label back in 1988, and split roughly a decade later. As you know, their return in 2010 led to their sixth studio album "King Animal".
3. Pearl Jam
When Pearl Jam formed in 1990, many accused them of cashing in on the alt-rock trend. The band didn't care; their music spoke for itself, and the shunned opportunities to conform to major label practices like making music videos. To date, they've sold around 60 million records worldwide, and their integrity remains intact.
2. Nirvana
Kurt Cobain's widely-reported suicide may have secured their fate as the best-known grunge band in history, but they were so much more than the actions of one desperate man. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was the tipping point for alternative rock music to take over the mainstream, and a final nail in the hair-metal coffin. Music hasn't been the same ever since.
1. Alice In Chains
From the peak of success to the pit of tragedy, Alice In Chains have seen it all, and several times. The death of distinctive singer Layne Staley in 2002 was tragic yet almost inevitable after years of drug addiction. In 2005, despite the band being separated at the time of Staley's death, they picked themselves back up and started to perform as a lineup again. A triumphant reunion album with replacement singer William DuVall won over fans old and new, and a new album has just been confirmed with a release date in May.
Those are the top 10 grunge bands of all time, but which are your personal favorites? Are there any great underground acts who deserve recognition? Tell us about them in the comments.
Glad to see Alice in Chains got the top spot, they definitely deserve it. Nirvana are way too high, though, surely they had a huge impact on the grunge genre, but are still very overrated imho.
Still a bit mad that The Breeders and Veruca Salt didn't make it. I'm a guy, but both of those "girly" bands have more good songs than most of the bands on this list.
I'm tired of seeying this over and over again. X are too high, Y are too low. No they're not, this IS their popularity among UG voters. Again some moron is stating his opinion as fact. Seriously just get the fvck out..
What did you not understand about imho = in my humble opinion? Chill out, buddy, if you get this mad over opinions I can see you're having a hard personal life.
It's one of those acronyms that no one truly knows the origin of. For all we know, it could be "In My Horse's Opinion", which isn't too far-fetched cos I've met some know-it-all horses.
so Braykah says some totally unfounded bull shit about nirvana (who are one of the prime creators of an entire genre) and gets the gold medal, THEN spiff-corqi gives you people GOLD, COMEDY GOLD, and you don't give him at least a thumbs up? wtf
A while ago I read a brilliant comment from someone, that sort of went like this: "Soundgarden drank the Metal from Sabbath, Pearl Jam read Neil Young's playbook, Nirvana took their energy from the Hardcore Punk of the time and Alice In Chains, well, they mixed their very own beverage."
I agree that aic is very orginal but at the same time they are very influnced by some metal bands. And all the other bands have there own unigue sounds too, and having unique influces is part of that.
i still don't see AIC as grunge, yea they wore flannel and came from seattle but actually listen to a record and you can see theyre more metal than anything.
Welcome to Grunge, two completely different genres melded into one scene.
It splits between the more Hardcore Punk/Pixies influenced like Nirvana and the Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin/Neil Young influenced like Soundgarden and Alice In Chains.
They had the biggest impact and Kurt was the best songwriter of the bunch. Even if you prefer another band sometimes you have to look at things objectively and respect the talent of a band or singer. The Beatles are not my favourite band in the world but I acknowledge that they probably were the greatest band of all time. Saying that Nirvana were overrated puts you in the category of a 15 year metalhead whom's only concern is on technical guitar playing. So no, Nirvana were not overrated.
Well, that's your opinion. Also, saying Kurt was the best songwriter of the bunch doesn't exactly sound objective, and you don't have to be a 15-year old metalhead to think that Nirvana was overrated. So yeah, I'm calling major hypocrite on this.
This whole labeling business is about trying to pigeonhole some brilliant and original musicians. But why are Nirvana never mentioned in lists of Top Punk Rock Bands instead those guys with numbers and colours in their names?
To me, what made Alice better than most of the other "grunge" bands of the 90s, was their ability to write complete albums, rather than record lackluster songs as fillers (even their demos and 80s glam stuff was pretty cool). Pearl Jam started off strong, but dwindled down a bit, Soundgarden was inconsistent, Nirvana was all over the place, etc. The self-titled album really has some memorable songs on it that many disregard, maybe some people aren't a fan of overly sludgy and monotonous sounding vocals and guitars, but it was something different. Anyways, it's cool to see them on top over here!
everyone knew it was basically who out of nirvana, sound garden, aic and pearl jam for number one. i wouldve liked to see neil young but its arguable. predictable but accurate list
Naaah... Based on how many of these lists are popularity contests, I expected Stone Temple Pilots to be in #5 - but fortunatly, the spot is the Melvins, who actually don't get that much attention, even from grunge-fans...
Silverchair? They're post-grunge band, Dinosaur Jr.? They are not Grunge. The Smashing Pumpkins are more closer to Grunge but I'm glad that Screaming Trees made it.
Ah sh*t completely forgot about them! Thy're one of my favourite bands..but I guess they diversified themselves and detatched themselves too much from the genre to be a part of this list.
I think this is a great representation of the best this genre has produced since its inception in Canada in 1994.
On a serious note, OH YEAH Alice in Chains at #1. Would? has to be THE grunge song. And the Melvins, ooh and... you know what? Today is gonna be a grunge day. Where's my flannel...?
1. Nirvana
2. Pearl Jam
3. Alice In Chains
4. Soundgarden
5. Stone Temple Pilots
6. Bush
7. Soul Asylum
8. Temple Of The Dog
9. Screaming Trees
10. Hole
But...Dinosaur Jr aren't even grunge. If you went up to J Mascis and said that they are a grunge band he'd probably laugh in your face. The same with the Melvins. If you watch any interview with Buzz about grunge he basically just laughs at it. An influence, most definitely but a grunge band? Definitely not.
1. Nirvana
2. Pearl Jam
3. Alice In Chains
4. Soundgarden
5. Stone Temple Pilots
6. Bush
7. Soul Asylum
8. Temple Of The Dog
9. Screaming Trees
10. Hole
Melvins are not grunge.
Dinosaur Junior are not grunge
(both great bands but not grunge)
Mudhoney, Green river, Monster magnet, Mother love bone, Stone temple pilots, smashing Pumpkins, Hole, seether, Babes in Toyland, L7, candlebox, Bush, Tad, 7 year bitch and just about Faith no More are Grunge...
Faith No More are in no way grunge,
they were one of the bands that had a hand in inventing the movement known as alternative metal, which is something separate from grunge even though bands such as Alice in Chains also have alt metal elements in their sound.
What about the Breeders?? Sure they're mostly a girl band, but Last Splash went Platinum, and they really don't have a bad song. Girls can be grungy too.
Maybe Local H but not Bush. Bush were more of a radio friendly Nirvana/Pixies clone. They had some good songs but were way too derivative to be in the same category as most of the bands that made the list.
How about The Pixies, well.. they were more alt rock.. but still grungy IMO
90% of these bands sing with W's in every word and sound the same.
"WEEEVEN FLOOOh, TWOKS ARRIVE LIKE BWUTAFIEEES"
Marbles in the mouth, stereotypical 90's grunge vocals
Stone Temple Pilots deserved to be in there, somewhere, but everything else is pretty much spot on - mostly AIC getting first place. I can't see any other band getting the gold medal on a grunge top 10.
I love Smashing Pumpkins, great, great band but they're really not a grunge band. They started being successful around the same time as a lot of grunge bands (the early 90's) but they'd have to be considered alternative rock. The only album that was even mildly grunge was "Gish" but they changed quickly on "Siamese Dream".
They're a great band, but they are more Alt-rock. Also, they said themselves that they took distance to the grunge scene, because they knew people would end up mixing them in there, even though they didn't have anything to do with it.
I got no issue with the groups you put up (maybe the order though). I think Mad Season should get an honorable mention. Only one album but it was an amazing one, I wish Lane and the others could've gotten together one more time for a second album =(
Is not a bad top but it was WAY predictable. Anyway appart from the top, you guys should check an underground grunge band from bolivia called "Oil" I was VERY impressed when I listened to their songs.
I have a feeling that there is two main reasons for that Alice in chains is at the number one spot:
1 - They're more technically advanced than Nirvana. This is quite a large factor, considering this is a guitarsite, and many guitarists often fall into the musical pitfall of labeling a band "better" than another because of technical superiority.
2 - People are beginning to jump on the "Nirvana is overrated" bandwagon. This is often a cause of misconception of the band's work, and that misconception is cause by one of the main curses Nirvana still to this day must suffer - When anyone says "Nirvana", the first thing anyone thinks of is "Smells like teen spirit". And when you compare SLTS to, say, "Would?", "Alive", or "Rusty cage", STLS appeares (rightfully IMO) vastly overblown.
And I don't blame them. SLTS is grossly overrated. It's an amazing song, but on it self, it is not that great. But what people fail to realize is that there is more to Nirvana than "Nevermind". Most material outside the singles is the exact opposite of SLTS - it is vastly underrated. I'd bet over half the people who have ever viewed the SLTS video on Youtube can't name Nirvana's first album, can't name any other member than Kurt, and can't name any other songs of Nevermind than SLTS, Lithium, and Come as you are.
My point is that when people say "Nirvana is overrated", what they're often saying is "Smells like teen spirit is overrated". And what people MUST understand is there is a heck of a lot more to Nirvana than SLTS. Check out songs like "Blew", "Negative creep", "Aneurysm", "Dive", "Lounge act", "Drain you", "Scentless apprentice", and all the other tracks that aren't singles. Nirvana's strength was not only that Cobain was a charismatic frontman, and that they toppled glam rock - their strength was that almost all their songs were incredibly memorable. Still to this day, even though I have personally progressed from Nirvana, I can remember all the parts of all their songs. Even though I love Alice in chains to death, I can't say the same about them. Can you remember how "Sunshine" goes? "God am"? "Brush away"? "Hate to feel"?". The more underrated songs from Alice in chains? I can't, but I can remember every Nirvana song I've ever heard. Simply because it's just memorable.
Still, this is just my hubmle opinion. You're completely welcome to disagree, and I don't consider my opinion more "right" than anyone elses (that's why they're called opinions - they CAN'T be right or wrong).
Oh, and sorry for the long comment - I have a bad habit of using way too many words to express my opinions...
"Can you remember how "Sunshine" goes? "God am"? "Brush away"? "Hate to feel"?"."
Yes, I can. I think you are jumping to incorrect conclusions there. You can't remember them because maybe you don't like those songs as much as you like Nirvana's underrated songs. I personally love "Sunshine" and "Hate to Feel" (some of my favourite Alice songs), and I don't have to think to hard to remember how any of those AIC songs go.
As I said, it's my opinion. I like "Sunshine", "God am", and "Brush away", but my point is that they're not nearly as memorable as Nirvana's more underrated work, like "School", or "Stay away".
Not as memorable in terms of popularity, yes. But here's where I think Alice takes the cake in my opinion: the songs are better crafted, with better lyrics, and better guitar work. How about the wailing leads on "God Am" and the poetic religious lyrics of it? I've never heard anything like it. "So Lord, I see you grinning, must be grand always winning. How proud are you being able to gather faith from fable?" - Pure beauty!
People are "beginning to jump" on the Nirvana-is-overrated bandwagon? I remember people saying that when they were still active. So if by "beginning" you mean that it's been going on for 20+ years then yes, you're right.
For the record I don't think that they're overrated.
I would consider Silverchair leaning more on the post-grunge side of things while Dinosaur Jr. certainly had a HUGE impact I wouldn't consider them grunge. If they do pass for grunge well then ****, mightaswell include the Pixies, Sonic Youth and Husker Du.
No Mudhoney or Heatmiser was really disappointing as well.
While Nirvana is my personal favorite (not just on the list, but of all time), I do agree with Alice In Chains being placed at number one. They were more "grunge" than Nirvana, so they deserve the spot.
Can't imagine why Mudhoney and/or Green River didn't make the list though.
Everyone please check out Silverchair - Diorama. It is my favourite album of all time and its a total conglomeration of amazing sounds. It has orchestral pieces constructed and performed by Dick van Dyke!!!
He said Said Daniel Johns (Lead singer & writer for SC) was the brightest musical mind he's seen since Brian Wilson (Beach boys). Just check out the Album you will not be dissapointed.
On a serious note, a bunch of Grunge and alternative rock groups could have been mentioned, such as Sonic Youth, Mudhoney, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, etc.
Kinda sad that L7 or Tad is not on here but you know thats what Grunge was. Not very popular and kinda underground for the most part. Lot of Underrated bands. And for all these "Nirvana is overrated" guys you have to keep in mind that there is other albums besides Nevermind. If you think about it, Half of that album was (and still kinda is) played out by radio. oh, and one last thing. Can somebody please explain to me how anybody considers pearl jam grunge? i mean i own ten (legacy edition too) and Vs and i cant hear it... songs like "Black" or "Glorified G" remind me of a straight up rock group. I dont know. maybe im not listening to the right songs.
Candlebox is great, and doesn't deserve all the hate! They are really influenced by the blues, which is pretty killer, and all their albums have a different sound for the most part. "Rain" from their first, self-titled record is ridiculously amazing! Peter Klett is one of my favorite guitarists, and Kevin Martin's voice gets better with age!
Grunge has more or less to do with the whole Seattle scene at the time, the music was sort of fitting I guess, so they lumped them all in the same "genre". I do agree they are more metal than anything, with Pearl Jam being rock, and Nirvana being punk.
A good list, if not somewhat inevitable. But still good. It's a shame Smashing Pumpkins didn't make it, although I'm pleased to see that Screaming Trees did.
Sadly some people, especially the older fans still haven't turned around and have given Alice's new work any credit or recognition. I'm amped to hear the new album!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh wait you are serious -.-! Ok i make ir simple. Nor dirt, nor alice in chains(the album) can Touch Nevermind. Not in a million years! You are saying Nirvana were overrated, ok tell me one song that nearly touches lounge act, about a girl and drain you. You guys just judge by your emotions, you should reallly be more objective
Nevermind was good. im not saying its a bad album. I really like it. But i think it got waaaaay more attention then it deserved. and im pretty sure "Man in the Box" beat "About a Girl" in a few lists.... might have been "Rooster" idk. my point is that AIC can touch Nirvana. but not Nevermind as a whole cause it was brought up by media to be more than it really is.
So glad The Melvins and Dinosaur Jr made it up there. I think its funny that the ONE band known for being more of a heavy metal style grunge get the number one grunge spot.
I grew up in the 80s...early 90s.....so I was right in the middle.of all of this. Alice and Soundgarden were the only grunge bands that had my respect. Still do. But this movement will always be the genre that killed my beloved "metal". For the time being...anyway.
I personally would've put Pearl Jam #1 because they really stood the test of time and are still going strong. Then Alice In Chains because Man In The Box is probably the most Grunge song ever.
I think there are two different grunge sides, the Punk side and the Metal side. Nirvana are absolutely the kings of punk side, on the other hand, Alice in Chains reign on the Metal side, so in a guitar site like UG I'm not surprise to se AIC got the top spot, they deserve it
Just my opinion...
I couldn't agree more, danrilope. You totally nailed the two sides of grunge. I personally would have given nirvana the top spot and alice in chains the 2nd, mainly because nirvana is one of my favorite bands, but alice in chains is pretty ****in sweet too.
can anyone recommend the Soundgarden and Alice in Chains albums I should listen to? Ashamed to say so, but I'm really not well versed in the Grunge field, beyond STP, Nirvana and Temple of the Dog.
None, they're all crap. If wasn't for Nirvana no one would remember any of the other 9 bands in this list. The Melvins only claim to fame is they met Dave Grohl once and insist they taught him grunge (and they are very bitter in interviews that Nirvana sold more albums than them after this meeting), and if you believe that you'll believe anything. You'll even believe Alice in Chains aren't heavy metal!
Don't listen to him. For Soundgarden, check out Badmotorfinger (more dark, metal) or Superunknown (More poppy, but still dark). Aic - Definitely get Dirt. Or if you wanna get their greatest hits, go for it. For only 2 albums with Layne, they have a sick repertoire.
I noticed you didn't list Pearl Jam. Of course, get Ten. It'll change your life.
I'm going to give you something by Alice that's not really "grungy" of them, but check out the song "Rotten Apple" and "Nutshell" off of their Jar of Flies record. None of the other remaining big 3 Seattle bands have recorded anything as perfect as those two songs.
well to start off, AIC: Listen to Facelift (Not man in the box over and over again i mean the whole album) and jar of flies. and if you have time, Dirt.
Why are we still doing grunge polls in 2013? Like, who actually cares?
Grunge will always be one of my favourite musical periods but I'm hearing about it way too much on UG. There's nothing current about this music, and all UG seems to write on is stuff from bands that hit their peak years, even decades ago. I mean if I see Dave grohl say grunge 'never went away' again I think I'd go crazy.
Nothing current? Alice in Chains and Soundgarden have new albums. Plus Dave Grohl has just released a documentary about lots of bands who recorded during that period.
If anything, it's one of the most current musical topics of the day with all these reforms.
I love Mudhoney and The Meat Puppets and would love to see them on that list, they seem to be ignored a lot of the time, especially the Meat Puppets. Too High To Die is an incredible album.
I think it's a case of people just not really being aware of them.
UG you reallly blew this list like most lists. Use a poll with the bands mentioned from the first article instead of likes. whoever post first gain a huge advantage in likes or dislikes. robbin daggers? No STP? i could pull a better list out of my ass.
I read the headline and I thought that this was going to be another one of those UG lists that no one agrees with. Well done UG. Pleasantly surprised (except the Robin Daggers part)!
There are a lot of good grunge bands that could have been on this: Quicksand, Veruca Salt, the Breeders. Soundgarden is great especially by the Superunknown album.
I don't think STP's music has aged poorly. I personally find a majority of their music to be timeless (at least for me), much like pre-"born in the usa" springsteen.
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