Grunge was born of the local Punk scene of the Pacific Northwest, most notably Seattle, Washington, in the late 1980s. At a time when Glam Rock and Hair Metal were popular nationally, a group of young Punk bands in Seattle began to experiment with an aesthetic that was less flamboyant. These musicians were influenced by a local band, The Melvins, that played Heavy Metal with slower and heavier riffs. A local scene sprung up with this sound, as did the first Grunge record label, Sub Pop Records.
Initially, Sub Pop began to promote bands that shared a certain anti-glam aesthetic -- often characterized by casual dress, ripped jeans, flannel jackets and an overall unkempt appearance -- and that played this new style of Punk/Metal. Early Grunge bands included the lesser-known Green River (whose lead-singer is credited with first using the term "Grunge"), Mudhoney and Mother Love Bone and the break-through acts Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam.
The first generation of Grunge bands fused the heavy sonic intensity of Black Sabbath with the aggresive emotional swagger of Black Flag. Because of this mix of Punk and Metal roots, Grunge had a guitar-drenched sound; ample use of distortion, strong power chords and basic, melodic guitar solos were usually laid under simple, but tuneful, vocals. Always forceful in execution, always emotive in content, Grunge is often classified as a genre of Hard Rock.
After the death of Nirvana's lead singer and the break-up of many seminal Grunge bands, a crop of post-Grunge bands began to appear. These bands didn't have the rough intensity of the initial Grunge bands, but instead had radio-friendly hooks. Though these bands acted more like traditional pop bands in terms of their aim and scope, they borrowed the heavy guitar work and soaring melodic focus pioneered by the early Grunge bands. Many bands of this type are still performing and recording today.
- Nirvana Nevermind
- Soundgarden Down on the Upside
- Alice in Chains Dirt
- Pearl Jam Ten