Grunge Rock Genre Research3 Artists

Harry Arnold

Grunge• Grunge rock is a subgenre of alternative rock that

originated in the late 1980’s in Seattle, Washington. The movement started with the help of the Sub-Pop independent record label in the late 80s releasing ‘alternative’ rock albums. In the early 90s its popularity spread with artists such as Nirvana and Alice in Chains signing to major record labels and earning strong followings and gaining commercial success. The genre became massive in the early 90’s with the help of Nirvana’s album ‘Nevermind’, Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten’, Alice in Chains' ‘Facelift’ and Soundgarden’s ‘Badmotorfinger’.

NirvanaNirvana are easily the most popular band to come out of the grunge scene in Seattle. Nirvana is is said to be the grunge band that has no end, not even after the frontman Kurt Cobain ended the bands carrear by taking his own life. Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic formed the band in 1985. They changed their drummer for several times; from Aaron Burckhard, Dan Peters, Dale Crover, Chad Channing and eventually clicked with Dave Grohl who joined the band in 1991. Nirvana recorded their debut album "Bleach" in 1990. Cobain and Krist's favorite band The Melvins inspired the album. After the release, they started to tour and noted a stint with Sonic Youth. Interested to the band, Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon recommended Nirvana to record executive David Geffen who later signed them to DGC Records in 1990. It was the moment for the band to record their first major label album "Nevermind" in 1991. They kicked former drummer Chad Channing out and replaced him with Dave Grohl. "Nevermind" soon became a huge success as it includes popular single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" that brought the grunge sound and rocketed the album to #1 on the Billboard charts. The compilation album of b-sides "Incesticide", which includes singles "Sliver", "Aneurysm" and covers of songs by indie rock band The Vaselines titled "Molly's Lips" and "Son of a Gun", was soon put on sale in 1992. The album was expected to achieve another success just as the previous one. And in 1993, the next album "In Utero" was released. It was a controversial album, as its cover image was considered unsuitable to be put on shelves. Also, the single "Rape Me" taken from the album also caused controversy until it was retitled into "Waif Me". Both albums, failed to follow the huge success of "Nevermind.”In November 1993, Cobain unexpectedly agreed to do an acoustic performance on MTV Unplugged. The stage set, which was decorated with white flowers and candles, added the atmosphere as Nirvana amazed their viewers. Also, the band later received the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance for the astounding performance. "We were just amazed we were putting out a record. We were, and are, still learning. But we've never cared much for professionalism as long as the energy was there. Like our live shows; We're out of tune and use a lot of feedback. That's not on purpose or because we don't care, we're just musically and rhythmically retarded and we play so hard that we can't tune our guitars fast enough," said Cobain explaining the live show. Regrettably, the episode was later also noted the last one from the band as in early 1994, Nirvana tours were cancelled due to Cobain's health condition. He was diagnosed with bronchitis and laryngitis before later found addicted to drugs and booze. Cobain ran away from rehab and flow back to his house in Seattle. A week later, he was discovered dead from self-inflicted gunshot and left a handwritten suicide note, reading "... I'm too much of a neurotic moody person and I don't have the passion anymore, so remember, it's 'Better to Burn out, than fade away.' Peace, love, empathy, Kurt Cobain." After the shocking incident, several of Nirvana albums, including "MTV Unplugged in New York" (1994), "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!" (1994), and a compilation of their concert recording titled "From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah" (1996), were soon launched. Furthermore, in 1997, when Grohl and Krist wanted to put an unreleased single "You Know You're Right" in rarity album titled "Nirvana", Cobain's wife Courtney Love objected as she felt that they were using it for their own personal interests. The battle continued for more than a year before she eventually agreed to donate the single. However in 2002, "Nirvana" was offered for sale.

Soundgarden• Hailed as grunge innovators, Soundgarden redefined rock music for a generation. In

the 80s and 90s, the band’s sound includes mesmerizing soundscapes and compelling lyrics. It was a sound rooted deeply within the wild landscape of the Pacific North West – an atmosphere which still resonates strongly for Cornell. “The band is dripping with it”, he says. “that indescribable longing. It’s not about the society, it’s not about the people, it’s not about the city. It’s some other thing.”

• Huge riffs are what Soundgarden are known for. Fronted by Chris Cornell, one of the few vocalist who could be both emphatic and monotonous within the same song, propelled by guitarist Kim Thayil, and held down by the rhythm section of bassist Hiro Yamamoto and drummer Matt Cameron. Ultramega OK (1988) and Louder Than Love (1989) combined the classic sound of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, and fused it with a bit of punk-rock angst and heavy-metal tension, but people loved it. After a change of bassist the released the massively successful Badmotorfinger (1991). In 1994 they released their most commercially successful album Superunknown. The band however split in 1997 but reformed in 2012 and released King Animal. The band now tour regularly.

Pearl Jam • Pearl Jam was one of the most influential Seattle grunge bands of the 1990s,

but their formation did not come easily. Bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Stone Gossard had been members of two short-lived '80s bands: Green River and Mother Love Bone. Looking for a fresh start, Ament and Gossard teamed up with guitarist Mike McCready to record some demos, which found their way to Eddie Vedder, a singer based in San Diego. Inspired, he recorded vocals to accompany the songs. Impressed, the group invited Vedder to join the band. Dave Krusen was the band’s first drummer, but the group would go through several in their career.

• They Released their debut album less than a month before Nevermind, the breakthrough album of fellow Seattle band Nirvana, 1991's Ten helped establish grunge as the era's predominant rock style. More soulful and emotional than the hair metal acts that had been popular, Pearl Jam emphasized moody, introspective music that highlighted guitar hooks influenced by hard rock and punk.