The Most Popular Grunge Band, Ranked

Choose the band you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Jul 19, 2024 06:55
Debates about the top performers in the Grunge scene have filled countless online forums and barroom discussions, each person championing their favorite bands with passion. With the genre having left a significant mark on the music landscape, everyone has their own opinion on which group stood out the most. Establishing a collective ranking helps to bring fans together and provides a broader perspective on the scene's pioneers. This live-ranking site engages fans to cast their votes and see in real time how their preferences stack up against others. Every vote is a nod to the powerful guitars, raw lyrics, and flannel-filled aesthetics that defined an era. By participating, users not only contribute to a growing database of fan opinions but also help to celebrate the artists who shaped a pivotal genre in music history.

What Is the Most Popular Grunge Band?

  1. 1
    79
    points
    Nirvana

    Nirvana

    Nirvana was an American rock band formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987, with drummer Dave Grohl joining in 1990. They are widely regarded as the flagship band of Generation X and are considered one of the greatest and most influential bands in the history of rock music.
    • Debut Album: Bleach (1989)
    • Breakthrough Album: Nevermind (1991)
  2. 2
    34
    points
    Pearl Jam

    Pearl Jam

    Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, and Eddie Vedder, with Matt Cameron as the drummer since 1998. Pearl Jam is considered one of the most influential bands of the 1990s grunge movement.
    • Debut Album: Ten (1991)
    • Notable Hit: Jeremy
  3. 3
    20
    points
    Soundgarden

    Soundgarden

    Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band's full-time drummer in 1986. Soundgarden was one of the seminal creators of grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle.
    • Debut Album: Ultramega OK (1988)
    • Grammy Award: Best Metal Performance for 'Spoonman' and 'Black Hole Sun' in 1995
  4. 4
    20
    points
    Stone Temple Pilots

    Stone Temple Pilots

    Stone Temple Pilots (STP) are an American rock band from San Diego, California, that originally consisted of Scott Weiland (lead vocals), brothers Dean DeLeo (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass, backing vocals), and Eric Kretz (drums). The band's early hard rock, grunge, and alternative rock sound has evolved throughout their career.
    • Debut Album: Core (1992)
    • Notable Hit: Plush
  5. 5
    14
    points
    Screaming Trees

    Screaming Trees

    Screaming Trees was an American rock band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985 by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bass player Van Conner, and drummer Mark Pickerel. The band reached the height of their popularity in the early 1990s with the release of 'Sweet Oblivion', featuring the hit single 'Nearly Lost You'.
    • Debut Album: Clairvoyance (1986)
    • Notable Hit: Nearly Lost You
  6. 6
    12
    points
    Mudhoney

    Mudhoney

    Mudhoney is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1988, following the demise of Green River, Mudhoney's members are singer and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Guy Maddison, and drummer Dan Peters. Mudhoney's early releases on the Sub Pop label, particularly their debut single 'Touch Me I'm Sick' and the Superfuzz Bigmuff EP, were massively influential in the Seattle music scene.
    • Debut Album: Mudhoney (1989)
    • Notable EP: Superfuzz Bigmuff
  7. 7
    0
    points
    Melvins

    Melvins

    The Melvins are an American rock band formed in 1983 in Montesano, Washington. Their early work was key to the development of both grunge and sludge metal. They have a massive discography and have gone through numerous lineup changes, with Buzz Osborne (guitar, vocals) and Dale Crover (drums) as the constant members.
    • Debut Album: Gluey Porch Treatments (1987)
    • Influential Style: Sludge Metal
  8. 8
    0
    points

    Temple of the Dog

    Temple of the Dog was an American rock supergroup that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. It was conceived by vocalist Chris Cornell of Soundgarden as a tribute to his friend, the late Andrew Wood, lead singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. The lineup included Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, Jeff Ament on bass guitar (both ex-members of Mother Love Bone), Mike McCready on lead guitar, and Matt Cameron on drums. Eddie Vedder appeared as a guest to provide some lead and backing vocals.
    • Debut Album: Temple of the Dog (1991)
    • Notable Hit: Hunger Strike
  9. 9
    0
    points

    Green River

    Green River was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984. Although the band had little commercial impact outside their native Seattle, Green River pioneered the grunge music genre. The band's lineup included Mark Arm (vocals), Steve Turner (guitar), Alex Vincent (drums), Jeff Ament (bass), and Stone Gossard (guitar).
    • Debut Album: Come on Down (1985)
    • Legacy: Pioneers of Grunge
  10. 10
    0
    points
    Alice In Chains

    Alice In Chains

    Alice In Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who then recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne Staley. Starr was replaced by Mike Inez in 1993. They are known for their distinctive vocal style and the harmonized vocals between Staley and Cantrell.
    • Debut Album: Facelift (1990)
    • Notable Hit: Man in the Box

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Grunge band. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or band is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2515 views
  • 179 votes
  • 10 ranked items

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Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each band once every 24 hours. The rank of each band is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More about the Most Popular Grunge Band

Nirvana
Rank #1 for the most popular Grunge band: Nirvana (Source)
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new music genre emerged from the Pacific Northwest. This genre, known as grunge, combined elements of punk rock and heavy metal. Its sound was raw and unpolished, filled with heavy guitar riffs and powerful vocals. The lyrics often reflected themes of disillusionment, angst, and social alienation.

Grunge music grew out of the underground music scene in Seattle. Bands played in small clubs and bars, building a local following. They recorded their music on low-budget labels, which helped spread their sound. The music resonated with many young people who felt disconnected from mainstream culture.

The rise of grunge coincided with a shift in the music industry. Major record labels began to take notice of the growing popularity of this new sound. They signed several bands and promoted their albums heavily. This led to a surge in popularity for grunge music in the early 1990s.

Grunge bands often had a distinctive look. They wore flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots. This style mirrored the working-class roots of many of the musicians. It also stood in stark contrast to the flashy, polished image of many mainstream rock bands of the time.

The success of grunge music had a significant impact on the music industry. It led to the decline of glam metal, which had dominated the rock scene in the 1980s. It also paved the way for other alternative rock bands to gain mainstream success.

Grunge music also influenced fashion, with many young people adopting the style of their favorite bands. This trend was often referred to as "grunge fashion" and became popular in the early 1990s.

Despite its success, the grunge movement was relatively short-lived. By the mid-1990s, many of the key bands had disbanded or changed their musical direction. The music industry also shifted its focus to other genres, such as pop and hip-hop.

However, the legacy of grunge music endures. Its influence can still be heard in many modern rock bands. The raw, emotional sound of grunge continues to resonate with new generations of music fans. The genre's emphasis on authenticity and self-expression remains a significant part of its appeal.

Grunge also left a lasting impact on the city of Seattle. The city became known as the birthplace of grunge, attracting music fans from around the world. Many of the clubs and venues where the bands got their start are still in operation today, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of the grunge movement.

In conclusion, grunge music emerged from the underground scene in Seattle and quickly gained mainstream success in the early 1990s. Its raw sound and distinctive style left a lasting impact on the music industry and popular culture. Despite its relatively short-lived popularity, the legacy of grunge continues to influence modern rock music and fashion. The genre's emphasis on authenticity and emotional expression remains a significant part of its enduring appeal.

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