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The grunge movement was the introduction of an independent-rooted music genre and eventually more commercially successful offshoot of hardcore punk, thrash metal and alternative rock in the late 1980s
and early 1990s. Bands from the cities in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, such as Seattle, Olympia, Washington, and Portland,
Oregon, made the grunge music genre popular with mainstream audiences.
This kind of music is closely related to Generation X.
As a style of music, it is generally characterised by 'dirty' guitar, strong riffs,
heavy drumming and angstful (if not out and out dark) lyrics. Grunge is also popularly referred to as the Seattle
Sound. Independent labels were key catalysts in bringing this style of music to the public initially. Many of the more
successful bands of the era were associated with Seattle's Sub Pop record label,
though several other independent Seattle labels gained recognition, including Kill Rock Stars and K Records. David Geffen is also said to have played a major role in marketing grunge to a mainstream audience.
Besides its punk roots, the grunge movement had strong roots in the Northwest musical culture and the local youth culture. The sonic resemblance to such 1960s Northwest
bands as the Wailers and, most particularly, the Sonics is unmistakable, and grunge clothing was a blend of a punk aesthetic with the typical outdoorsy clothing (e.g. flannel shirts) of the region.
The emergence of "grunge" as a genre and its embrace by the mainstream is usually thought of as a reaction against the popular
dominance of hair metal. Hair metal bands, such as W.A.S.P., Poison and Guns n' Roses had been dominating the charts, especially in the US, for several
years in spite of declining critical viability. Grunge music can be sharply constrasted to hair metal's macho lyrics, anthemic
riffs, and a perceived lack of social consciousness, especially in the race to attract mainstream audiences.
Grunge was embraced by the youth for its simple defiance of the then-cultural norm, which was seen by many as a
corporate-dominated and superficial popular culture. In the rock world, expensive, designer clothing was shunned in favor of
flannel, jeans, and Doc Marten or Converse boots. (Especially in England, youth dressed in this fashion are sometimes called grungers). Traditional rock and roll ostentatiousness became offensive, at least for the time
being.
The mainstays of this rock genre were primarily Seattle-based bands, such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots (from San Diego). Nirvana is generally credited
for breaking the genre into the popular consciousness in 1991 (see 1991 in music). The success of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (off Nevermind) surprised the entire music industry. The album was a #1 hit around much of the world, and paved
the way for more bands, including, most popularly, Pearl Jam. For many audiences
then and later, grunge came to be almost totally associated with these two bands and their punky, rebellious attitude towards
mainstream mores as well as cultural and social institutions.
It has been widely debated as to who deserves the title "Godfather of Grunge". Mark Arm of Mudhoney, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Jack Endino of Skin Yard, Andrew
Wood of Malfunkshun/Mother Love Bone, Buzz Osborne of The Melvins, and
Neil Young have all been credited at one time or another. (see external link
below for more details on the debate on who really is the "Godfather of Grunge".)
The popularity of grunge music was short-lived, however. When Kurt Cobain
(of Nirvana) committed suicide in April of 1994, grunge music effectively began its
decline. Ironically, Cobain had often been photographed wearing t-shirts stating that "Grunge is Dead".
The general consensus of fans and music historians is that the genre was entirely too opposed to mainstream stardom to
actually achieve long-lasting popularity. Many grunge bands refused to cooperate with the record labels in making radio-friendly
hooks, and the labels found new bands that were willing to do so, albeit with a watered-down sound that did not sit well with the
genre's long-time fans.
For many fans of the genre, it wasn't until the dissolution of grunge pioneer band Soundgarden in 1997 that they finally conceded grunge (as mainstream music) was dead. Many grunge bands have
continued recording and touring with more limited success, including, most significantly, Pearl Jam.
Prominent Bands
See also
External links
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