Wednesday Question: Best Grunge Bands?

This week, Dave Grohl insisted that grunge music "never went away." And when a dude from Nirvana says that, you can probably take his word for it.

But that got us thinking: if it never went away, then maybe it's just a little off-radar and we're not picking up on it.

It's times like this that we turn to UG readers to get some pro advice for our weekly question, which is:

What are the best grunge bands ever?

Hopefully some great underground bands will get a name check on this one.

To guide the discussion, let's stick to Grohl's fairly loose definition of grunge: "loud a-s guitars, loud a-s drums, and screaming a-s vocals." Basically, any acts with a punk spirit and underground vibe who know how to mix high-energy with a good dose of songwriting.

No metal, please - it might technically fit Grohl's "loud" definition, but you can probably guess that it's a little off-topic this time.

The usual rules apply: one nomination per comment, and upvote posts that you agree with. YouTube videos are welcome. We'll post the results in a raucous top 10 list this Friday.

Comments

[KISSmyass666]

Nirvana.

[60s&70s]

Nirvana

[GhostPlayground]

I nominate myself. Not exactly high energy (pretty much the opposite) but I think it's pretty 'grungy'.

[ohJeffrey]

PJ Harvey

[shumpitostick]

Robin Daggers

[captain_blood]

And it was on this day in 1996 grunge was born...

[JAHellraiser]

Geddy Lee said it, so it must be true.

[jimihendrix6699]

no

MELVINS

[sonic_riot]

Melvins are definately top 5

1. Nirvana
2. PJ
3. AIC
4. Soundgarden
5. Melvins
6. Temple of the Dog
7. Mudhoney
8. Mother Love Bone
9. Green River
10. Mad Season
...
11. Gruntruck

[kratos379]

"The usual rules apply: one nomination per comment"

[steviegfunk]

Although this list is an abomination to this thread's rules...

This list would definitely be something I would show someone who asked what grunge was.

[kmitchell74]

SADGASM

[dahctor]

Melvins for sure!

[hotdogs585]

Love the Melvins...but did anyone else think the two albums they did with Jello Biafra were arguably their best work? I know I liked those 2 albums more than I liked the Dead Kennedys or the other Jello Biafra bands (which I'm also a huge fan of). Regardless, the melvins need to be on this list in one way shape or form

[xonty]

Because no ones put it, The Smashing Pumpkins

[ihartfood]

meh, they were late and were more on the alt-rock side.

[Do Re Mi]

I was looking through videos to post for this but there are far too many that exemplify what "grunge" was, even if they didn't classify themselves as such.

The thing that strikes me the most about Nirvana is the fact that they NEVER sold out. They went on to play bigger shows, but they were always punks: the kind of band that would completely f**k with an interviewer, play different songs then previously agreed upon, and completely joke about their own music (i.e. Kurt singing baritone over the recording of SLTS live). I've never seen a band so in the public eye(one of the world's biggest bands!) act like they did.

As far as music is concerned, just look up videos of them playing smaller venues. Bleach was just a grungy record: dirty, sloppy, loud. Nevermind was obviously their big one, but still had such attitude and presence. In Utero is by far one of my favorite records.

#nirvanafanboy #hashtag

[BleachedNirvana]

Hole deserves a mention at least

[lithium_boy]

dont forget to show yourself out

[BleachedNirvana]

Dont forget to quit being an *******

[yousef213]

Stone Temple Pilots

[ihartfood]

Has no one said ****ing Soundgarden yet?!

[MetalMant666]

Because they blow.

[ultimatebass75]

mucky pup

[nboyjn]

Emerson Lake & Palmer.

[VVHotel]

As far as newer bands....The Kills would have to be the best/closest thing to grunge nowadays.

[lithium_boy]

fairly new band but it's definatly from the same universe as Grunge if not coming out of it.

[VVHotel]

[rickjarzy]

ALICE IN CHAINS!!!!....although Ian Scott calls em a heavy band

[Vaughandrix]

There are some awesome bands to choose from (Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden to name a few), but Alice In Chains all the way. Their music and lyrics are incredible. They put everything into their records, to the point where you can hear the pain in Layne Staley's voice.

An excellent band, and I'm so happy to get the chance to see them this summer. Even though Layne is no longer with us they still write great records.

[third(-)eye]

I guess I'm the odd one out, but I could just never bring myself to like AIC. They're definitely heavier than most grunge bands, but I don't know... Their songs never really appealed to me. And I don't get why everyone likes Staley so much, his voice grates on my ears.

[hotdogs585]

I'm with you on that one. I liked some of their singles and a portion their unplugged album but most of their stuff was too sludgy and too low tempo or something.

[third(-)eye]

Too sludgy. That's the term I'm looking for. They have very little sense of melody.

[hotdogs585]

Agreed

[dewitt]

...coming from a guy who praises Tool on every other thread, that statement bears no weight.

I'm not sure Tool has even written as many nearly-monotone melodies as they have albums (i.e., their music lacks melody, and all their songs sound more than vaguely similar).

[third(-)eye]

"Praises Tool on every other thread"

That's just completely untrue. Are you just saying that because of my username?

And if you think Tool has no sense of melody, especially for a metal band, please tell me what drug you are on so I can avoid it.

[UniformRecon]

I get that. Alice in Chains was just a little too on the "experimental time signature" side for me to really get. I totally respect them as musicians, but I just can't get into them.

[BlueIceBox]

"experimental time signature". The majority of their songs are in 4/4...

[UniformRecon]

Okay, I've only listened to Dirt, so I'm probably just not so well informed.

[dale-banez]

Nah dude, Godsmack totally kicks their ass

[vppark2]

Godsmack was more nu-metal.

[bobjmarks11]

Where do you think Godsmack got their name or the sun logo? Godsmack is a song by AIC and the logo was originally theirs.

[whorgan_semen]

Jerry cantrell himself said that he sees Alice in Chains as a heavy metal band.

[Juansyto]

black gives way to blue was an excellent addition to an already awesome catalog from AIC

[MetalHermit]

Alice in chanes

[thisaradj]

'A Pale Horse named death'.. not really grunge though. but has a Alice in Chains sound..

[Flying Afros]

hmmmm, not associated with the original grunge scene (Norhtwest USA), but an awesome band. Type O Negative rules BTW (original drummer for them plays guitar/sings in A Pale Horse Named Death).

[rip3149]

Temple of the Dog

[Ablast]

Not sure if they count but, Pixies

[Doctor.Dolittle]

Not really meaning to rip on you, but the Pixies aren't really "grunge" (Don't get the notion I dislike them, I love Doolittle and Surfer Rosa). It's just that they're more alternative rock than grunge.

[I.shower.naked]

would the Cancer Bats be considered grunge?

[I.shower.naked]

sorry for double post, but Cancer Bats have screaming vocals, loud guitars, and loud drums.

[vppark2]

Cancer Bats are hardcore punk. Grunge is influenced by hardcore punk but look up the definition. It doesnt say anything about "screaming vocals".

[fraberjam]

Dave Grohl said something about screaming vocals.

[vppark2]

Damnit. This is so subjective lol.

[FaceMelterx2530]

Soundgarden.

[kratos379]

I feel like after their most recent album, they deserve a lot more recognition. They continued to make great music 15 years after breaking up and seem interested in making another album.

It is really hard for me to vote in this poll though, because I really like all of the big four and grew up with them. There are other great bands like Blind Melon, Mudhoney, and The Screaming Trees, but the big four were the best to me. I probably like Soundgarden more than the other three, so I guess as long as they're higher ranked than fourth, I'm happy.

[FaceMelterx2530]

I agree. King Animal was one beast of an album.

[hotdogs585]

Blind Melon Grunge?

[ihartfood]

Excellent.

[arnolddrummer]

Easily my favourite grunge band, Slaves and Bulldozers would have to be my favourite grunge song.

[FavDaddario]

Seether

[hotdogs585]

Drive Like Jehu

[hotdogs585]

[SebadohJr]

I wouldn't call them grunge really, more post hardcore in the vein of Fugazi or something like that. That being said, Drive Like Jehu is an amazing band that surpasses most of the grunge bands anyway. Anyway, my nomination is Melvins.

[hotdogs585]

Post-hardcore is fitting for them. I always thought they were just the grungiest of the grungies.

[Epi g-310]

As far as recent bands go, I completely agree, and I think that might have been what the article was asking about... but they didn't say "no 90's," so people are going to be comparing Seether with Nirvana, AiC, STP, etc...

[bobjmarks11]

Seether wishes they were grundge

[BradTheBluefish]

post-grunge.

[lfsilvaa]

Pearl Jam

[ihartfood]

Yes.

[martijnsurf]

nirvana

[goremetal22]

Pearl Jam, but of course Nirvana is going to win top honors...

[rich.weber]

I agree, actually. There's way more grunge history behind that band than there ever was with Nirvana. Nirvana came to be called grunge but when they were coming up in olympia, and aberdeen they didn't call themselves that. They didn't really claim a genre at all. That was imposed on them. If anything they thought of themselves as punk. All that being said, Nirvana is probably my favorite, even if PJ is way more "grunge."

[Krieger91]

Alice In Chains, always.

[hotdogs585]

The Gits

[hotdogs585]

[JKFTW23]

Paw

[jrucks01]

Paw was incredible and Dragline still one of the great albums that I can listen to back to front.

My vote would be for Thirty-Ought Six (not the horrible recent glam version). They were incredible! Check out Hagseed.

[Brownbear93]

why the dislikes?? Paw should have been huge

[Ronald-Raygun]

Mind Funk

[acglee]

Definitely not grunge but a great band, underrated albums and excellent live.

[Joss_Frusciante]

Screaming Trees

[mitchy86]

I think the winner is going to be pretty obvious...

[Pedalboard]

Bush! For like one album..

[Tonganation]

Sixteen Stone is great. Their other albums are kind of forgettable though, unfortunately.

[biff022]

Bush is the worst "grunge" rip-off band ever. Totally worthless.

[ihartfood]

I must say I agree with Biff. They were pretty high on the post-grunge ripoffers list.

[shaundp]

I really like Razorblade Suitcase. Some of the songs on that album I listen to a lot. Songs like "Cold Contagious" or "Swallowed"

[Lacquer_Head]

They don't really fit into the genre but usually get roped in - Melvins

[L2112Lif]

Damnit comments, I meant to thumbs up that.

[Pluh]

Dinosaur Jr.

[Crackheadrich]

good call, very underrated band

[hotdogs585]

The Jesus Lizard

[ihartfood]

I'd say they're more punk but I still dig em

[Covenant360]

Alice in Chains really did have the most talent

[Baphometronic]

not more than soundgarden they didnt

[ozgupolat]

pearl jam

[jp_cheif]

Seriously tho, Alice In Chains...

[Shametome]

I know that Alice in Chains are considered metal in some circles, but, come on, they have a lot of grunge music. And, you can't deny the raw talent every member of that band had. AIC = #1 for me.

[martijnsurf]

pearl jam in their early years

[getawaygman]

pearl jam for sure. such great extensive collection of albums

[westonrulez]

Alice In Chains

[soundgarden1986]

Sound. Garden.

[ihartfood]

Yes.

[Objekt]

Silverchair

haters gon' hate.

[damomodern]

absolutely! better than most of the grunge bands and they were only 14. Plus they just got better and better

[Vicryl 2.0]

they went better and better and then they went lousy with their last record... who wants a happy silverchair anyways...

[ihartfood]

hey this is pretty cool. Thanks for showin me these guys.

[eljono123]

PEARL JAM, ALICE IN CHAINS, SOUNDGARDEN, NIRVANA, SCREAMING TREES, GREEN RIVER, MAD SEASON, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.

[kratos379]

"The usual rules apply: one nomination per comment"

Also posts with all caps are annoying.

[wollie]

not as annoying as posting videos

[iommi600]

Mudhoney.

[iommi600]

Ok, since now I'm in possession of a computer and not a phone, I'd like to post the video I failed to before.

[63Dylan63]

TAD

[xwf]

Thank you! I was going to go nuts if I got all the way to the bottom without someone mentioning Tad.

[vegard2009]

Pearl Jam!!!!

[RitchieRamone]

Blink 182!

[jamie_hough]

You do know that although good, they arent... you know what I cant even be bothered with this one...

[badfish_lewis]

Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Nirvana
Alice in Chains
Mudhoney
Melvins

[wylde1994]

Soundgarden or Pearl Jam

[BwareDWare94]

If I have to look at Nirvana at the top of this list on Friday, I'm going to be incredibly irritated. UG lists have been surprisingly solid so far; please don't **** this one up.

[ceed194]

Coldplay

[Weirdbag]

HA!

[ceed194]

A joke of course, but as usual no one here on UG has a sense of humor

[Brandon1993]

Mother Love Bone
Without them we wouldn't even have Temple Of The Dog, Pearl Jam, Green River, or quite a few other bands that we have now.

[the_hoodster]

I hate to be one of 'those' guys but Mother Love Bone actually came about after the breakup of Green River.

[Brandon1993]

Okay I'll give you that haha.
But it's true about the rest of that stuff though. It actually said "Temple Of The Dog, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, or quite a few other bands that we have now." but I changed it to Green River for some reason....
I know I should have kept it but whatever.

[the_hoodster]

Yeah absolutely, it's just a shame TOTD and Pearl Jam are the result of such a tragedy

[Brandon1993]

Yeah...

[Blacktiger27]

Smashing Pumpkins

[GALGOPOWER]

CRYSTAL CASTLLLLLEEEEESSSSS

[maidenbridge666]

Just because they're my 3 fav bands:

Stone Temple Pilots
Alice In Chains
Pearl Jam

[lea123456789]

evanescence
evanescence
evanescence
evanescence
evanescence
evanescence
evanescence

[headstone05]

Alice in Chains

[Abacus11]

The Melvins - so underrated.

[Crackheadrich]

ye especially when you consider how many bands they went on to influence like tool and mastodon to name two

[Buccaneer89]

In the end the top 4 are gonna be

Pearl Jam
Nirvana
Alice in Chains
Soundgarden

voting over. Present the results.

[Sloan7]

Obviously the winner will be one of the Fab Four of grunge: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, or Alice In Chains. UG peeps please post up some new grunge bands so others can check them out.

[Sloan7]

The Sword (Fits Dave Grohl's description)

[Brandon1993]

They're Doom Metal....

[Strungshort36]

I can see how they're Grunge-esque, but I wouldn't call em Grunge. I think "Stoner-Metal" seems more appropriate.

[palamaris]

https://soundcloud.com/trip-gr

Trip. not a pure grunge band, but with some grunge elements.

[Bardhen]

You kidding? No one mentioned Mother Love Bone?!

"Frontman's words on the band-name : "I thought the road to success was a three syllable name, say, [Led] [Zepp][lin], but I figured a three word name istead, hence Mother Love bone"
haha!

[azisnomarsa]

Violent Soho, they are from Australia, and kick some major ass...

[smouch3]

best band to come out of oz in a long time. One of my all time favorites now

[magnum1117]

It's pretty hard to choose since there is not a lot to choose from, like in metal i.e, you have a hell lot of bands you can pick.

Since Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden has been mentioned a hell lot of times, I'll go with Mother Love Bone

[azisnomarsa]

Yes, temple of the dog def. should get a mention, probably the band I most associate with Seattle

[Doctor.Dolittle]

I have a feeling that the top four will be Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. However, I'm still looking forward to the other bands that might make the top 10 cut, like maybe Temple of the Dog, Mother Love Bone, Tad, etc.

This will probably be one of those lists that they just can't f*ck up.

[Dethonator]

Skrillex

[Pierfrittella]

oh my god! NO!

[KILLSOMEROUNDS]

Thats not a band!

[Dethonator]

that's the joke

[UniformRecon]

With a shitty punchline

[headbang123]

KILL IT BEFORE IT LAYS EGGS

[skull_king]

Alice in Chains FOR THE WIN

[hudsonstradlin]

I dunno if they count, but Stone Temple Pilots always do it for me. If not, then Nirvana for sure.

[tbsska]

Mother Love Bone

[cellofreak42]

Niravna, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains.

[slash_015]

My all time Fav's are
Soundgarden
Pearl Jam
and Alice in Chains.
Listen to these Bands every day and they never get me bored and they help me in all kinds of life-crisis'
But no one at my location wants to do that kind of music anymore.

Just indie, electro-indie, suck-my-a**-indie. Most of the Bands sound the same.
Well, fu** that

[dethroned]

Fritz's Corner from Local H

[javdoc]

I always think of Clutch in the same vein as well, though maybe that's just me....

[Brandon1993]

They're "Stoner Rock" though :/
But if you want a "Stoner Rock" band that is also considered grunge you could check out Core.

[rknight182]

smashing pumpkins

[everjump]

Days of the new

anyone?

[rabidgoon]

'grunge' is a stupid term used only by morons

[Smiling Alien]

Alice in Chains, best band ever.

[hotdogs585]

really? best band EVER? I get people liking their music, but best band ever??

[Smiling Alien]

Yes, for me they are the best. In my opinion they have perfect mix of nice, powerful yet melodic guitar riffs/solo ("Sunshine" for example has beautiful solo), Layne's amazing vocals and gloomy, depressive lyrics.

After listening Alice in Chains I do not understand how people can claim that Nirvana is the best band of grunge. WTF? Almost all other grunge bands are way better - Green River, Mudhoney, Melvins, L7, Soundgarden (especially "Badmotorfinger"), Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots...

P.S. Haters gonna hate. "I don't care no more" ©

[Nihilistic Bier]

Nirvana
Alice in Chains
Soundgarden
Pearl Jam
Smashing Pumpkins
Mudhonney
Helmet
Puddle of Mudd
Seether
(Postgrunge count, right?)
Foo Fighters has some songs actually grungy.

[headbang123]

Seether would be alternative metal. Then Puddle of Mudd is post great but not even close to the description.

[McLuvins92]

Seether is post grunge

[smouch3]

Seether is a heavier version of creed. Seriously they sound so similar

[repoTHEemo]

I never really thought Helmet as grunge.

[allstar100595]

Apart from the Big 4 of grunge, I'll put my vote in for the often over-passed STP.

[Baphometronic]

1: soundgarden
the rest in no order, Pearl Jam, Mother Love Bone, Mudhoney, Tad, Green River, AIC, Melvins (not really grunge, but from seattle), Mad Season, and....nirvana.

[yellowpickguy]

nirvana and pearl jam for sure

[Baphometronic]

oh, and i forgot screaming trees, and skin yard

[circus musician]

Dinosaur Jr deserve a mention.

[Crimson Ghost]

Nirvana
Alice in Chains
Pearl Jam
Stone Temple Pilots
Soundgarden

[Darth Wader]

I thought I would throw "Hole" out there, even though I think the top 5 should be Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, STP, and Smashing Pumpkins

[TheZodiac244]

I have a feeling your only saying this to take credit for knowing who that band is.

[Kiyaheartwood]

Nirvana

[Sp00nman94]

1) soundgarden
2) alice in chains
3) screaming trees
4) smashing pumpkins
5) pearl jam
6) nirvana
7) mother love bone
8) mad season/temple of the dog (only had 1 album each)
9) mudhoney
10) melvins

post grunge/90s metal honorable mentions:
foo fighters
helmet
candlebox

[hotdogs585]

Jello Biafra with The Melvins. I'm not sure the Melvins themselves are actually considered grunge or not but the two albums they did with Jello Biafra sure as hell is grunge in my book. People are going to say it's punk bc of the association with Jello but this to me is straight up grunge.

[alexlgrp]

a bit of a curve ball but Butthole Surfers anyone?

[Brandon1993]

Hey look.
It's Flea.

[BurlingtonRock]

Toadies

[SIEGE312]

Alice in Chains, they are one of the most influential of the period, and their 90's stuff has had a ridiculous amount of staying power.

[rockstarbear]

I'll throw My Sister's Machine and L7 in there.

[brian_s]

So many great bands. Love em all. Il just say I'm into the bands who are more on the "metal" side of grunge.

[boyracer123]

Nirvana
Alice in Chains
Soundgarden
Seether(kind of grunge)
Silverchair
Pearl Jam

[SIEGE312]

Seether is basically just a direct rip-off of Nirvana, even down to dressing like Cobain in a lot of instances. That being said, I still love Seether live, particularly when they play as a 3-piece.

[McLuvins92]

They aren't a direct rip-off of Nirvana. They are way heavier than Nirvana.

[red_hot_chili18]

Very good point

[Faporizer]

Hammerbox is worth checking out. Also Tad, Nero's Rome and Paw are pretty cool
Is Blind Melon also considered grunge?

[slybacon]

Out of the Big 4 of Grunge, I'm picking Alice in Chains

[BlueIceBox]

Alice in chains, hands down.

[Robv93]

Tad should be up there somewhere i reckon...

As for my top 5: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice, Soundgarden, STP...everyone dismisses STP and i can't think why, they're awesome!

[jonnytremonti]

i think you have to include creed in there somewhere but defo Pearl Jam!!!

[bifteksupernova]

neil young, the godfather of grunge. certainly not the best, but without mr young many grunge acts wouldnt be around

[joshg24]

Neil Young... When he jams with Crazy Horse (or Pearl Jam)

[skateralle]

Alice in Chains, even though I see them more as a metal band these days

[hotdogs585]

they started off as a metsl band too, then switched to grunge.

[Le Fantome]

May not be very popular here, but I love Breaking Benjamin, especially their early, grungish, albums.

[SIEGE312]

I find myself listening to Saturate more than their newest album. It's just one of those albums that sounds better now than it did then for some reason.

[AdamHagglund]

Nirvana

[schecterhellraz]

Sound Garden

[schecterhellraz]

or Pearl Jam

[Hungry_Hameds]

Grunge is as much the Seattle music community from the late 80's to the mid 90's as the sound of the individual bands. I'd go with Temple of the Dog, as it signalled Mother Love Bone and Soundgarden members paying tribute to Andy Wood. Not to mention their lineup is Pearl Jam's current incarnation, plus Cornell often joins them on stage for Hunger Strike. For those reasons, for me they personified grunge.

[KerNeL_KLuTcH]

Melvins

[huwaaron]

Smashing Pumpkings ???? not sure if its been said yet

[Bleak91]

Their first three releases (Gish, Siamese Dream and the b-side album Pisces Iscariot) sound in a psychedelic and grungy kick**s way, but I don't think they could be considered "the best" grunge band.
That's my opinion.
I told you like a big fan of this band

[huwaaron]

agree, not the best ever, but they do deserve a spot on the list, personally I'm more of a Nirvana fan but since nearly 1/4 of the previous comments has nominated nirvana i thought i better not :L love Siamese Dreams listen to it every day atm

[Bleak91]

They were supposed to exclude nirvana, alice in chains, soundgarden and pearl jam. Only then this would be a more interesting and curious top ten

I only hope to see the Melvins on the top. Perhaps as a place of honor for the big influence on lots of grunge bands

[Drg23]

It's a REALLY REALLY tough choice between SG and AIC, although in my opinion, SG is SLIGHTLY better

[bear_bassist]

Mad Season

[scrymusic]

Dinosaur jr ... The Melvins.... Mudhoney.... Nirvana .... Sonic Youth

[RKOStyles]

I wouldn't really consider Sonic Youth grunge. They kind of fell victim to the grunge tag along with the Pumpkins and STP although they weren't.

[scrymusic]

I agree... But sonic youth has been around longer... And it guess they are alternative art rock.... My bad

[RKOStyles]

Whatever band Mark Arm is in, I mean he did come up with the name "Grunge" anyways. Nah but seriously.

Also the lack of Tad makes me sad.

[Brownbear93]

No Mad Season??

[microwaveramen]

nirvana
mudhoney
tad

[Abacus11]

Tad! I was gonna say... no one's mentioned Tad!

[Desenova913]

Mother Love Bone and Temple of the Dog, mostly because Mother Love Bone was connected to many of grunge's soon to be idols which led to the creation of Temple of the Dog after the death of Andrew Wood. Temple of the Dog changed the way Cornell wrote lyrics and sang, therefore changing Soundgarden from ambient noise of Ultra Mega Ok to what would become their signature sound. Temple also introduced Cornell to Vedder, who helped him crack out of his shell and did amazing backing vocals and and pretty much helped solidify what would become Pearl Jam.

Yes, there's Nirvana, Alice in Chains, The Melvins, and countless others, but so much rooted from these two bands.

[bassm29]

well said. Also have to throw in The Meat Puppets. They had a huge influence on Kurt Cobain and Chris Cornell. Too High to Die is one of my favourite albums.

[Crimson.King]

I'm gonna get downvoted to hell for this but I love Hole.

[KILO of KAOS]

#1. NIRVANA (of course)
#2. THE PIXIES
#3. SMASHING PUMPKINS
#4. PEARL JAM
#5. SOUNDGARDEN
#6. ALICE IN CHAINS
#7. SONIC YOUTH

[third(-)eye]

Pixies aren't grunge, other than that you're good.

[third(-)eye]

It's not gonna be the MOST popular opinion here, but I have to go with my gut and say Nirvana.

[miregal]

Kyuss.

[Brandon1993]

No.
I ****ing LOVE Kyuss. And they're one of my all time favorite bands.
But they are Desert Rock/Stoner Metal.

[miregal]

Kyuss was all during that movement and if it wasn't for them showing me raw music I would have never got into Nirvana which would have never led to many other bands along the way. So "No" all you want. They're what opened the door for me to that style of heavy music. For the most part, I don't waste my time calling bands by name of genre. I bought Kyuss's first album Wretch in 89 the same year Bleach was released and they were all part of a west coast movement of heavy music with attitude and influences from past musicians.

[Brandon1993]

But....thats physically impossible.
How can you buy an album 2 years before it was released?

Also just because they got you into Nirvana and "Heavy music" as a whole doesn't mean they are GRUNGE.
Thats like saying Pixies or Celtic Frost are Grunge.
(Believe it or not Nirvana were unbelievably huge fans of Celtic Frost and listened to them like crazy before recording Bleach)
(Also I have two copies of Bleach (the 20th anniversary edition and a 1st pressing on black vinyl from 89)and a copy of Blues For The Red Sun. It took me an eternity to finally find at least ONE Kyuss cd because I don't want to have to buy a cd over the internet because I don't have it physically in front of me. And know that I'm actually getting what I paid for.)

[miregal]

My bad "Sons of Kyuss". It was all a movement man. I don't understand your argument. Being 14 in that area, Kyuss is what got me into heavier music. Listen to Kyuss its got the same raw heavy sound that most of those other bands had that were coming out in that time. I'm not trying to compare record collections just saying that Kyuss was the band that got me into that genre. The guys in Kyuss even wrote a song for the remaining Nirvana memebers after Kurt died, because the bands played shows together and became friends in the process.

[Brandon1993]

I listen to Kyuss every day. Hell I can even play a good sized chunk of Blues For The Red Sun, ...And The Circus Leaves Town, Wretch, and Kyuss (though people call it "Welcome To Sky Valley" the band have said themselves its a self-titled album). And learned most of those songs by ear after listening to them an inhuman amount of times haha.
Also I know the song you're referring to. It's Day One. Which is the last part of Spaceship Landing. The last song off of their final album.

Also I'm going to stop here to prevent the possibility of an argument from happening. Not saying it WOULD happen.
But i just don't want to have it possibly happen.
I hate arguing with people, especially over stuff like this on the internet haha.

[miregal]

Grunge is just a slogan the record industry came up with to make you buy more records. It had nothing to do with what those bands thought about their music.

[ihartfood]

Wonder why someone hasn't said this already. Thank you.

[Sergej_G_NL]

Nirvana

[blackzeppelin68]

stone temple pilots

[rmack4341]

Sunny Day Real Estate - 'Diary'. After that album they kind of went full emo though.

[JBL-Project]

Smashing Pumpkins

[AndreSwizRock]

None.. Grunge sucks donkeydicks!

[hudsonstradlin]

hey guys! give this guy the attention he never got from his dad!

[MyS3lF]

pearl jam

[poomanjones]

We're all missing the greatest grunge band of all time....NICKELBACK!!!!!

[bigmanoncampus3]

Agreed. the Kroeger is the best grunge vocalist there is.

[poomanjones]

THANK YOU

[bigmanoncampus3]

They even make a Metallica song sound good... id take his vocals over james hedfords anyday!

[Strungshort36]

My vote is also with Alice In Chains. I'm curious though, what do you guys think of CKY?

[scopies]

Those guys are awesome

[hotdogs585]

I used to love CKY, they don't ever get any recognition on here for some reason. I was big into the alliance back in the day. They were the band that introduced me to the underground world of music. Idk if you can really classify them as grunge though. I've heard them referred to as "post-grunge" before but i still dont think that fits them well either. I think post-grunge as those shitty bands like seether, shinedown, puddle of mud, and staind.

[EoinOwnage]

MOTHER LOVE BONE

[Braykah]

Pearl Jam, although I've always considered them more of an alternative rock band rather than a grunge one.

[PLr]

Pearl Jam

[asherman77]

HUM

[sunnyinphilly13]

Nirvana

[explosionate]

Too specific and too obvious to be meaningful.

[cmacu4]

Nirvana

[scopies]

[MrDo0m]

Some of the Smashing Pumpkins earlier stuff could be considered grunge, and they're one of my all-time favourite bands, but my other choice would be Alice in Chains.

[MrDo0m]

Although I must admit I still f'ing love Nirvana.

[gus_metallica]

ALICE IN CHAINS

[morleymatt]

Nirvana.

[refizzled]

STP. Maybe only 30% grunge, but 100% underrated.

[a20drs]

Muse showbiz years

[TheEmpyrean]

Nirvana
Mudhoney
Pearl Jam (kinda)
Soundgarden
Tad
Alice in Chains
Smashing Pumpkins
Hole
L7
Babes in Toyland
Mother Love Bone
The Pixies (kinda)
Sonic Youth (kinda)
The Melvins
Screaming Trees
Skin Yard
The Fluid
Green River
Foo Fighters (first record)

[W1LL P1L50N]

Some I need to add Nirvana, AIC, Green River, Mudhoney, L7, PJ, Temple of the dog and maybe as some would consider, Sonic youth?

[robo37]

The band are probably far too experimental to be considered grunge, but...

1.56 = classic grunge.

[N7Crazy]

Though I am a manic Radiohead-fan, it would be wrong to bring them up here. The closest they ever got to it, was during their "On a Friday"-days, and on Pablo Honey - and even there, they were merely "Grunge-lite", which is not exactly a flattering description...

[HGF]

I heard they did The Bends the way it is because Yorke dind't like at all the fact of being compared with Nirvana at some points after they did Pablo Honey, otherwise, amazing band, it'd be my #1 band inside a lot of other lists

[jhart08]

Alice in Chains

[lefty311]

Alice In Chains, Mad Season, Nirvana, The Melvins, Soundgarden. That's it.

[gbrooks2]

+2

[ceed194]

Nirvana was the biggest grunge band for a reason,they were the best.

[Fidlar]

Neil Young. wassup?

[MrDo0m]

Who was it that referred to Neil Young as the "Godfather of grunge?" Regardless, if he counts as grunge, he gets my vote for sure.

[ethan_torres72]

Alice In Chains

[Sunny035]

Seeing as my nominations are never in the top ten, I happy that this week I shall have one, that nomination being the wonderful Nirvana. I understand that people don't like them in the Grunge genre, but they were the first grunge band to do Unplugged, and that was just something magnifecent

[iloveorck86]

just not nirvana -.-

[M_G]

Mudhoney is what springs to mind when I think of Grunge. Suck you dry is one hell of a song.

[damomodern]

Hole

[hotdogs585]

i think the first couple of hole albums are great, they'll get a bunch of hate because courtney love is the singer thats why i didnt even bother posting them. not the GREATEST grunge band but definitely worthy of some recognition.

[JessyB96]

There first 3 goo goo dolls albums are grungesque

[Burnage360]

Mother Love Bone
Soundgarden
The Gits

[mattyp90]

Bush

[Brandon1993]

Also would No Talent be considered Grunge?

[Carl_Berg]

Neil Young.

[andrejmg]

So true!

[YCJ]

Definitely have to give props to Neil, the god-father of grunge

[PaulPL]

Nirvana

[andrejmg]

Dinosaur jr. - just listen to their first three albums.
Also Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Screaming Trees and Nirvana of course

[mikel123]

PEARL JAM

[dooley182]

Pearl Jam

[hurleyboyc58027]

Stone Temple Pilots is my vote. True Zeppelin-esk tightly wound hits, talent and moments. In their prime, they could dominate the ***k out of the rest of them live.

[Goosekill]

Unsane

[nolife'tilmetal]

not really grunge but a good band

[Black Paranoia]

got to go with Alice in Chains just because i love the unplugged concert they did

[!..!_Rock_!..!]

Isn't this kinda obvious? We all know it's gonna be Nirvana on top with Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden coming in 2,3, and 4 (not necessarily in that order). And to round it out it's gonna be Stone Temple Pilots at 5.

[Drezz93]

Pearl Jam, yes please

[betterman5]

pearl jam!

[N7Crazy]

Nirvana, because even though Alice in chains is much more technical advanced (the main reason I suspect they got the gold medal on this one), I would only categorize their last album with Layne as grunge. Don't get me wrong (pun intended), I love Dirt to the skies, but it was more a rock/metal record. Their self-titled had a strong "sludge" feel, and fitted quite well in.

I choose Nirvana, simply because their songs hit me harder, and make me feel more. Though I will always love Jerry Cantrells exquisite guitarwork, he will never be able to pull me up from my couch, and jump, mosh, and simply become completely manic in my livingroom as Nirvana can do to me...

[spikolie]

Blind Melon!!!!!

[ironmanben]

The Toadies for sure.

[headbang123]

Smashing Pumpkins anyone?

[HauntingtheWick]

Screaming Trees, they're my favourite grunge band and I think they've been a bit ignored here

[headbang123]

Not sure if The Vines count, but I'd have to nominate them.

[headbang123]

Then of coarse. Nirvana.

[bobjmarks11]

Mother Love Bone

[Do Re Mi]

U-Men, the fathers of it all.

[rockerwannabe]

This must be a trick question since there is no "best" grunge band butinstead a bunch of suckyass bands that couldn't play their instruments.

[Pukka-VCU]

1. Soundgarden
2. Alice in Chains
3. Mad Season

[BleachedNirvana]

Hole

[yousef213]

Stone Temple Pilots

[yousef213]

Stone Temple Pilots

[firebird147]

Everyone WOULD say Nirvana, wouldn't they? Personally, Alice In Chains are my favourite. Layne Staley's vocals and lyrics cannot be matched that self-obsessed dick known as Kurt Cobain. I don't hate Nirvana but you can't say that he cared about other people (except that ***** Courtney Love). He didn't! Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, Pearl Jam, Bush (maybe), Mother Love Bone, Melvins, TAD are other great grunge bands

[shoegazer']

A. You don't know Kurt, stfu
B. Staley died from heroin as well.

[hotdogs585]

AIC were just following the grunge trend. They started off doing late 80s metal, and changed their sound once grunge became became popular. AIC's lyrics can easily be matched, Staley may have had the voice but Cobain had the soul.

[sludge-factory]

Facelift came out in 1990. How can that be " following the grunge trend"?

[hotdogs585]

They were still a band before 1990, making late 80s metal music. Grunge started getting mainstream attention in the late 80s as well.

[skippy_moogoose]

Im sad at the lack of Mudhoney love here

[skippy_moogoose]

Also Green River, since every member went on to have a massive influence on the scene, and since the bloody well started it back in 83/84

[ihartfood]

I've got Dry as a Bone/Rehab Doll. Pretty sick record.

[ff11]

Nirvana
Pearl Jam
Alice in Chains
Soundgarden
Stone Temple Pilots

[JelloCrust]

The Melvins. It is the Melvins. They are the best. Furthermore, if punk attitude is a criterion for this, they fit it on top of that, they did work with one of the worlds most prolific punks, Jello Biafra, so, it is the Melvins.

[Erik_vdLaak]

Dafuq happened to Creed.

[dallasrh]

Mad season. Probably my favorite grunge band ever and super under-appreciated.

[Rebel Scum]

Alice in Chains

But this is dumb having to only pick one.

[frohnjusciante]

Hüsker Dü

[vppark2]

For some reason, I thought of this song after.

[vppark2]

this too

[vppark2]

sorry for all of these posts, i just thought of this one too!!

[HGF]

Smashing Pumpkings for me, though they have more than just one sound. Sad to see Sunny Day Real Estate voted just 1 time

[KidZero]

Smashing Pumpkins

[Gerbilman]

DINOSAUR PILE-UP!

[Long Distance]

Nirvana

[PanteraRules]

alice in chains

[swave75]

I hate to say it, when we speak of grunge it is always in past tense. It has been dead for awhile. There have not been any grunge like bands to carry the torch. Yes I know the Melvins have never went away. I know that Soundgarden and Alice in Chains are back together. I know that Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins still exist. But that scene died when Kurt Cobain did. I love all those bands but even Kim Thayil said they owed everything to Cobain. Or maybe I'm just old. I miss Kurt and Layne.

[moshlux]

Violent Femmes
Meat Puppets

[mitchmitchhh]

alice in chains has my vote, but pearl jam, smashing pumpkins, soundgarden, stone temple pilots, and radiohead(the bends) are all just as good, grunge is def my favorite kind of music. I was never really a huge fan of nirvana, I liked them when i was younger but now i find it too plain and simplistic, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not my musical preference.

[a20drs]

[Dirtee]

I just want to give a shout out to Type O Negative!

[KjaK]

Skin Yard has to be on this list, they were one of the first and are an amazing band, with a fairly unique sound.

[slimebag]

Nirvana, no competition

[Zerath]

Soundgarden! Their new album was really good! but you gotta love the classics.

[vppark2]

Not sure if Jane's Addiction would be considered grunge but no one's mentioned Collective Soul or Live!!

[Vicrattlehead79]

Well, I'm not sure if The Vines are considered grunge but they sure have many grungy influences and are an amazing band.

[headbang123]

I love The Vines! Doubt they'll make the list though.

[HammettIsKing]

I know I'm only supposed to pick one, but it's tough for me to say. It's either Nirvana or Alice in Chains.

[Alice2Mudgarden]

Layne Staley and/or Mad Season

[Alowishus]

This whole thread is upsetting. Smashing Pumpkins? Melvins? Radiohead? Husker Du? Muse?!

None of them are grunge and much more. I don't know why people have this notion that every alternative band from the late 80s/early 90s were grunge.

Grunge was called the Seattle Sound for a reason....

By this logic let me name some other "grunge" bands:

Blind Melon
Faith No More
Living Colour
Janes Addiction
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Etc.

Maybe this illustrates how silly it can quickly become.

[PT Gates]

Skin Yard

[motoxer09]

SLAYER!!!!!

lol jk

[6-String_Madman]

+1 for trying to be funny!

[6-String_Madman]

Alice In Chains... without a doubt, the best grunge band!

It got me thinking. Can Metallica's Load and Reload albums can be considered as Grunge? Listen to Bleeding Me, Bad Seed, Fixxer, Where The Wild Things Are.

[McLuvins92]

Tough one between Nirvana and Alice in Chains but I have to go with Alice in Chains.

[jled81]

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Pusherman

Them Crooked Vultures

[Cejis33]

Blind Melon

[Jimmy Blue]

[AlecBeretz]

mudhoney drums were always pretty cool

[Jhachey22]

Dinosaur Jr. They're new stuff is the cats tits, too. Check out "I Bet On Sky" if you haven't yet.

[Rick_Diculous]

The Wiggles

[Bassically]

L7. Not saying they're one of the best but they had some good songs.

[Ghost xx92]

The big four: Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden & Pearl Jam

Stone Temple Pilots 100% are grunge. Should really be big 5.

Other grunge bands:
Melvins
Mudhoney
Green River
Temple Of The Dog
Mad Season
Malfunkshun
Tad
Love Battery
The Fluid

Bush and Silverchair do count

Im ok with smashing pumpkins although they get an alternative label.

Id also consider Quicksand grunge.

Theres more these are the best ones id say.

[vppark2]

[Wild_Impala]

Dinosaur jr are where its at.

[kerguitar08]

Alice in Chains.

And grunge isn't really a genre.

[james1210]

Alice in Chains for sure

[acglee]

Alice in Chains for me. Yes they lean more towards metal but the grunge element is still there, and so what? Pearl Jam lean to bluesy hard rock. AICs songwriting was consistently top drawer, with great vocal harmonies and riffs - with the emphasis on the song and the mood over technicality. Add some very dark lyrics and some great drumming too (check out No Excuses, that drum beat is incredible!) Oh and they were equally impressive with their softer and unplugged efforts as with the heavier stuff, managing to avoid the typical heavy rock band-plays-ballad cliches. Roll on Download!

[JBTheLefty]

Dead Confederate? If they're more post-grunge, that's understandable. I'm just thowing them in here.

[MichaelScarn]

NICKELBACK!!!!!

[metal@hart11]

i mother earth

[metal@hart11]

temple of the dog

[drainyou_sweden]

This song has a real grungy feel to it. I recommend, for anyone who has not listened to it, the first album by Foo Fighters from -95. Most "grungy"-sounding record ever recorded in my opinion.

[Alowishus]

Are you serious?! Jawbox are post-hardcore, NOT grunge.

[deadsmileyface]

Mudhoney.

[hanneman66]

Pearl Jam

[r4sha]

When it's come to Grunge
Only Three band in my mind:
1. Nirvana
2. Pearl Jam
3. Sound Garden

[nanu991]

Smashing Pumpkins oh Nirvana of course. Going off-topic; what the **** happened to a best bassist count down list? After guitarist and drummer I thought bass player was next. Oh well, not much love for bassists huh...

[7Raff6Riff5]

The 10 Best Grunge Bands :

- The Melvins
- Dinosaur Jr
- L7
- Sonic Youth
- Alice in Chains
- Pixies
- Mudhoney
- Smashing Pumpkins
- Pearl Jam
- Stone Temple Pilots

[Garland41]

Number 1 Grunge band: Soundgarden

[estabon37]

I'm pretty amazed that nobody has seemed to pick up that Dave Grohl was pretty dismissive of the 'grunge' question when it was asked of him. I'm paraphrasing, but I think his response was along the lines of "Grunge? You mean loud guitars? That never went away." as opposed to what this article is implying: "Grunge never went away."

Grunge totally went away. Pearl Jam are one of my favourite bands, but I've argued for years that they were never very grunge to begin with. Their first album had the trademark over-saturation of reverb that was popular in 1991, and sat well alongside amazing albums by Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. But listen to Vs, Vitalogy, No Code, Yield and Binaural. Tell me it's grunge, and mean it. They're a rock band, and the disagreements above on what grunge even sounds like suggests to me that it was a movement more than a sound, and that movement died.

I love the music that came from that time and place more than most other music (also a huge Pumpkins fan). I want to hear more. But please listen to Dave Grohl when he points out that it was just loud guitars and drums. Music should be fun, not micro-managed fights over sub-genres.

Well. That post was long.

[Thatguy89]

Green River

[bear_bassist]

no Failure??

[evadebmx33]

Candlebox they came out of seattle the same time as the others n their first album is grungy compared to far behind sold 4 million copies

[Dalamander]

Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden are all GREAT grunge bands, but the greatest grunge band of all time is without question, Nirvana

[mikerammmer]

PEARL FUCKING JAM AND ALICE FUCKING CHAINS!!!!!

[solidrevolver19]

Screaming Trees

[brianfallen97]

i can't decide between nirvana or alice in chains@!!!

[OUhockey10]

Nirvana
Stone Temple Pilots
Alice in Chains
Soundgarden
Pearl Jam
Smashing Pumpkins
Toadies

[MrDo0m]

Fuck yeah.

[refizzled]

I know my comment is way near the bottom of the page and will probably be disregarded, but Screaming Trees really haven't got nearly as much attention as they deserve. Phenomenal band.

[blowntobits6699]

Cosmic Psychos

[SrThompson]

I like a lot of grunge bands but I think that Nirvana will be obvious winner.

[SGplayer1991]

Creed!

[SGplayer1991]

And let's not forget Nickelback either!

[Guitar_Nuge04]

Nirvana!!!

[distortyourself]

YOUR GHOST


[youtube]zY_f4UzdhKQ[/youtube]

yes.

[Shun1010]

There is no such thing as a good grunge band...it's a myth.

[ThatKnaveThing]

Citizen Dick

[darknis]

Nirvana

[obiwan shinobi]

Screaming Trees. Lanegan is a beast.

[MattTheGreat]

Pearl Jam

[MattTheGreat]

...and Soundgarden

[gerrywm]

The Jesus Lizard!!
I do like Dinosaur Jr aswell, but the lizard are by far the best

[nolife'tilmetal]

yes thank you. I can't believe no one has said anything about them yet

[Shametome]

Can't believe I forgot this, but, if Supergroups count, MAD SEASON.

[Chet_RU]

[Bozjoarmstrong]

Weezer?
At least their earlier work.

[martijnsurf]

early foo fighters

[martijnsurf]

the godfather of grunge is neil young soo..

[ceed194]

Eazy E?

[Dukey]

Nirvana
Pearl Jam
Alice In Chains (Jerry Cantrell is golden!)
Soundgarden
Mother Love Bone
Temple Of The Dog
Stone Temple Pilots
Screaming Trees
Mad Season
(And only if you count them as Grunge) Blind Melon

[nolife'tilmetal]

close one between the jesus lizard, neil young and melvins but I think i'll have to go with melvins

[pachivaldes]

peal jam (first ten years)
alice in chains
soundgarden
silverchair
screaming trees
nirvana
smashing pumpkins
pearl jam (last ten years)

[Leek]

Mother Love Bone
Blood Circus.
U-Men
Green River.
Love Battery.
Temple Of The Dog
Smashing Pumpkins
Alice In Chains