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What is Grunge?

  • Originated in Seattle

  • Blends punk attitudes with heavy metal

  • Musical traits:

    • Slow tempo

    • Distorted guitars

    • Lo-fi production

    • Angsty lyrics

Beginnings of Grunge

  • Influenced by Seattle's isolation and garage rock

  • Punk precursors like Wipers, Flipper, Black Flag

  • Key figures: Bam Bam, Tina Bell ("Queen of Grunge")

  • First grunge band: Green River

  • Important compilation: Deep Six featuring bands like Soundgarden and Malfunkshun

Record Labels

  • C/Z Records: Documented Seattle scene

  • Sub Pop: Unofficial grunge label

  • SST Records: Owned by Black Flag's Greg Ginn

Key Bands and Albums

  • The Melvins: Fastest punk band, influential early sound

  • Mudhoney: Known for "Touch Me I'm Sick"

  • Mother Love Bone: Tragic history with Andrew Wood’s overdose

  • Pearl Jam: Key albums "Ten" and "Vs."

  • Soundgarden: Influences from Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, key albums include "Ultramega OK" and "Louder Than Love"

  • Alice In Chains: Early hair rock history, key album "Facelift"

  • Nirvana: Major hits like "Smells Like Teen Spirit", key albums are "Bleach" and "Nevermind"

Post-Grunge

  • Emerged in response to grunge's commercial success

  • Features:

    • Similar heavy distortion

    • More polished production

    • Lyrics are introspective and often first-person

  • Notable bands: Foo Fighters, Live, Bush, Collective Soul, Creed, Nickelback