Most important artists
Nirvana was an American rock band formed in 1987 by Kurt Cobain (singer and guitarist) and Krist Novoselic (bassist) in Aberdeen, Washington. Their most famous and important drummer, Dave Grohl, joined the band in 1990. Nirvana is considered one of the most influential and important rock bands of all time. In the late 1980s the band developed a sound with dynamic contrasts, often between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses. Nirvana found unexpected success with "Smells Like Teen Spirit. Cobain was considered the ‘spokesman of a generation’, with Nirvana being considered the ‘flagship band’ of Generation X. Nirvana's In Utero (1993) has a less-mainstream sound that was a commercial success and critically acclaimed. Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. RIP, Kurt.
Pearl Jam is an American grunge band formed in 1990 by Eddie Vedder (lead vocals), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar) and Jeff Ament (bass) in Seattle, Washington. It was one of the key bands in the grunge movement of the early 90s and its members became noted for their refusal to adhere to traditional music industry practices, including refusing to make proper music videos or give interviews. The band has sold 60 million copies worldwide and is considered one of the most influential bands of that decade.
Alice In Chains is an American grunge band formed in 1987 by Jerry Cantrell (guitarist, songwriter) and Layne Staley (lead vocalist); and the initial included Sean Kinney (drummer) and Mike Starr (bassist), who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez, too. Although it is associated with grunge music, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal elements. The band was one of the most successful music acts of the 1990s, selling over 20 million albums worldwide. In 1992, ‘Dirt’ was released to critical acclaim and was certified quadruple platinum. The band has had 14 top ten songs on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and nine Grammy Award nominations.
Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band formed in 1985 by Robert DeLeo (bass, backing vocals), Dean DeLeo (guitar), Eric Kretz (drums) and Scott Weiland (lead vocals). Initially, they were identified as grunge, but further releases from the band showed a variety of influences, including psychedelic rock, bossa nova and classic rock. They have received several MTV Awards and a Grammy Award.
The Melvins is an American rock band formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, Buzz Osborne (singer and guitarist) and Dale Crover (drummer) have been the band's ongoing members. Theis music is influenced by a mix of punk and metal and also some hard-rock bands. Their sludgy sound was a strong influence on grunge music, especially Nirvana and Soundgarden. The Melvins have also influenced many bands outside the Seattle grunge scene.
Screaming Trees is an American rock band formed in 1985 by Mark Lanegan (vocalist), Gary Lee Conner (guitarist), Van Conner (bassist) and Mark Pickerel (drummer). Although they are associated with grunge, their sound incorporates hard rock and psychedelic elements. Screaming Trees was part of the grunge movement of the early 90s and was one of the most successful underground music acts of the decade. The band reached one top ten single on the Modern Rock Tracks charts.
Hole was an American grunge band formed in 1989 by Courtney Love (vocals, guitar) and Eric Erlandson (guitar). The band went on to become one of the most successful female-fronted rock bands of all time; and, with Courtney's lyrics explicitly discussing issues of body image, identity, and sexual exploitation, it became the most high-profile musical group of the 1990s to discuss feminist issues in their songs.