Grunge music
Origins and early development
Grunge, also known as the 'Seattle Sound', is a subgenre of rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the Pacific Northwest U.S. state of Washington, particularly in Seattle. The early grunge movement revolved around Seattle's independent record label Sub Pop, but by the early 1990s its popularity had spread, with grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains breaking into the mainstream.
The term "grunge" was first used to describe the murky, sludgy guitar sound that typified the genre. This sound was a stark contrast to the polished aesthetics of the 1980s mainstream rock, with grunge bands priding themselves on a raw, amplified distortion and feedback. They also incorporated influences from earlier rock and punk bands, such as The Stooges and The Velvet Underground, and newer hardcore punk and heavy metal bands, like Black Flag and Black Sabbath.
Characteristics
Grunge is generally characterized by a sludgy guitar sound that uses a high level of distortion, fuzz and feedback effects. Grunge songs are typically in a minor key, and feature unconventional song structures. The lyrics are typically angst-filled, often addressing themes such as social alienation, apathy, confinement, and a desire for freedom.
A key element of the grunge sound is the heavy use of guitar distortion and feedback. Many grunge musicians were noted for their loud and "dirty" guitar sound, which was achieved through a combination of high volume levels, heavy use of power chords, and a focus on playing in the lower registers to give a heavier sound.
Mainstream success
The early 1990s were the high point of grunge's popularity and influence. Bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains had released albums that sold millions of copies, and the success of these bands boosted the popularity of alternative rock and made grunge the most popular form of hard rock music at the time.
However, with the death of Kurt Cobain and the subsequent dissolution of Nirvana, along with the increasing number of bands imitating the grunge look and sound, grunge began to lose its cultural significance by the mid-to-late 1990s. Despite this, its influence continues to affect modern rock music.
Influence and legacy
Despite its relatively short-lived mainstream popularity, grunge has had a lasting impact on rock music. It helped to establish an ethos of authenticity in rock music culture, in contrast to the perceived artificiality of pop music. Grunge was also a reaction against the dominance of glam metal and its associated culture in the 1980s, and it caused a ripple effect in music, fashion, and culture that can still be seen today.