Best Grunge / Alternative Rock Bands

The Top Ten
1 Nirvana Nirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band. ...read more.

Nirvana did great things for the genre. however from an objective perspective of nothing more than songwriting and ability I think one must yield to Pearl Jam. I get the whole teen angst thing, but some people don't want to listen to some upstart is his 20's whining about life, especially when there is a band who is actually writing about beautiful and meaningful things. Nirvana may make it to my number four slot. Nirvana did not invent grunge I would say that Green river was one of the first to start the grunge sound. Nirvana may have made it mainstream, but one cannot say they invented it with all of the grunge bands who were predecessors to Nirvana

It is quite obvious that nirvana is the best in this. As for those complaining about thirty seconds to mars just remember the singer may be obnoxious, and loud, but than again that is what most grudge is these days. They still suck though. The one I don't understand being on this list is linkin park. Grudge itself is supposed to be loud music, but linkin park has nothing to do with that. Its just a mixture of rap alternative rock, and classic justin bieber suck.

Nirvana invented grunge,
Without them there would be not 30 Seconds to Mars and if there were there music would be nothing like it is now.
Nirvanas music means something. it has emotion, and kurt cobain expressed his depression through his music. 30 Seconds to Mars music means nothing, its just words that rhyme and music. although I do like 30 Seconds to Mars but there music has no soul. nirvana had great vocals, great guitars, and amazing drums. they were one of the greatest bands of all times. THEY WERE THE Beatles OF GRUNGE.

Nirvana is the band that actually started "grunge" and brought it to the world. I love many other bands on the list, but some of them wouldn't even be around had Nirvana not brought the opportunity for this music to be made.
And if these are best Grunge/Alternative bands, bring REM into the top ten at least, PLEASE! They started alternative just as much as Nirvana started grunge.

2 Alice in Chains Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley.

Best and most influential. Layne Staley was the best alt rock lead singer RIP. Influenced most alt rock/metal bands in the last 15 or so years (Staind, Godsmack, Creed, Nickelback, A7X, etc. ) Jerry Cantrell's an amazing guitarist, singer, and songwriter. The Godfathers of alternative metal!

Though Nirvana deserves to be 1st Alice in chains deserves to be up here too. Personally above 30 Seconds to Mars since their music had deep meaning and 30 Seconds to Mars had no musical genius in their lyrics. Alice in chains deserves to be be 2nd only to Nirvana.

Alice is just the best band of all time, in my opinion. They can pull off the metal sounds and at the same time, pull off the acoustic tunes as well. Even though I love Nirvana, Alice's songs are constructed much better.

30 seconds to Mars at number one - their not even grunge, they weren't even playing during the grunge era. Alice In Chains was, and they should be in the top 2 on this list.

3 Pearl Jam Pearl Jam is a grunge/alternative rock Band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The band had comprised of Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament. ...read more.

Horrible list, full of pop rock bands (Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars, Muse) and post-grunge bands (Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Nickelback) and Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins haven't even made it to the top ten yet. Stone Temple Pilots was ruined by Chester Bennington.

Rant aside, these guys are legendary. They are pretty better than Nirvana with face melting guitar solos, deep vocals, emotional lyrics and catchy choruses you won't forget about. Their best album is Ten, buy that not Rearviewmmirror (their greatest hits) since it doesn't have their best on it.

Pearl Jam is, in my opinion, the best rock band ever. This list has faults though. The top five make sense, although Soundgarden is number 13. Chris Cornell has one of the best voices ever RIP Chris. Bands like Breaking Benjamin, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Coldplay have no place on this list, but RHCP is so amazing they should be higher up. Weezer is fine where it is, Green Day, REM, and Rage Against the Machine should be higher, that's how you improve this list.

To all of those dumb 30 second to mars fans out there... THEY SUCK! They don't have one good song. Plus their not even grunge or alternative! Pearl Jam was grunge and now is alternative 30 seconds to mars is wannabe pop rock! And Nirvana is good but over-rated. Pearl Jam has only one bad song! They win!

This list is crap considering 30 seconds to mars is above Pearl Jam. As much as I like 30 Seconds to Mars, they aren't that great. Also, definitely wouldn't put overrated Nirvana as number one but I expected a bunch of idiots to put them on top when they deserve to be number two at best.

4 Foo Fighters Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band, formed in Seattle in 1994. The band was founded by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after the death of Kurt Cobain and the dissolution of his previous band. The band consists of Dave Grohl (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar, main songwriter), Pat Smear (rhythm ...read more.

The foo fighters are the best modern alternative band out there, hands down. I absolutely love their music and all of their songs, from the hard rock sound of all my life to the plain soft metal of everlong, they ROCK!

This band's amazing music is chock full of powerful beats, catchy and simple riffs, and penetrative, heartfelt lyrics. The Foo Fighters are a true rock band that deserves much more credit then they are given.

No one matches the Foo Fighters in quality. They make the best music.
They're not just the best alt-rock band. They are the best band of all genres.

Best grunge band.. Yo foo's style is classic in every angle. Never compare everlong, rope, pretender, walk, these days... You like grunge, you like foo fighters

5 Coldplay Coldplay are a British pop rock band formed in 1996. The band consists of Chris Martin (lead vocalist and pianist), Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist), Guy Berryman (bassist) and Will Champion (drummer and backing vocalist). Manager Phil Harvey is often considered an unofficial fifth member. The band renamed ...read more.

How and why is it so below in the list?! It is THE best alt rock band ever!

Coldplay is the best. How is it too below in the list. HOW DARE!

This result is invalid. Coldplay should be at least come up in the top 5

Coldplay and Radiohead are the best!

6 Three Days Grace Three Days Grace is a Canadian post-grunge/alternative rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario in 1992 with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. Their original name was Groundswell until they changed it to ...read more.

TDG is a great post-grunge band that knows how to explore their musical ranges and talents without failing to deliver to their loyal fan base. They are not new to the music industry and know how to do all the right things. Kudos the Adam and the band for another great run in the post-grunge field and the release of their newest album, Transit to Venus.

I feel that Three days Grace is one of those bands that keeps on bringing cooler and cooler stuff the longer they preform and I am and always will be a huge fan. With awesome songs like Break, High Road, Last to Know, I Hate Everything about you, and Never too Late they have made a great name for themself
Go 3DG

Adam brings so much reality with his voice and band effort.
How ever those critics may be, but they are as fake as there comments.
They are jealous of TDG simplicity lyrics.
Music is tat where you can find yourself within... And TDG have
Everything to be in top of list... Rock means TDG

Three Days Grace, in my opinion along side with Breaking Benjamin is the best grunge/post grunge (alternative metal) band and its sad that they are not among top 10 at least.

7 Smashing Pumpkins The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1988. Formed by frontman Billy Corgan and James Iha, the band included D'arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlin in its original incarnation.

The fact that they aren't contending for 1st with Nirvana is ridiculous. They and Nirvana defined that era...

Truly one of the greatest bands I've ever heard. I recommend either the album Gish or Siamese Dream.

By far the best Grungle / Alt Rock Band in existance. Billy's lyrics are beautiful and very full of meaning.

Top 5 At least people.

8 Soundgarden Soundgarden was an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Chris Cornell died on May 17th, 2017.

How is Soundgarden not in the top ten list of Grunge and Alternative bands? Look at all of those bands on the list with the exceptions of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Without Soundgarden there would be no blue print for there music. Soungarden is one of the founding members of grunge! They should be in the top ten.

Anyone who doesn't have Soundgarden on his top 10 list don't listen to grunge, don't know anything about grunge and shouldn't spend time on this site.

The big four, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam should be 1-4 automaticlly.

I can't stop thinking that Rusty Cage is kind of the best rock song ever written. Does a single song make a band one of the top bands? I don't know, but I would give up to the entire discography of STP for just that song.

Soundgarden is the most awesome, cool, and legit grunge band ever if this isn't in the top 1-5, these voters are deaf and they need 2 listen 2 grunge. Soundgarden is in my top 3 favorite bands ever and spoonman is the best song I've heard EVER!

9 30 Seconds to Mars Thirty Seconds to Mars (commonly stylized as 30 Seconds to Mars) is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998. The band currently consists of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto.

30 Stm should be in the number one spot. Why? Well their music makes sense, it is like art and man they can be placed and out shine any other band in any genre. Nirvana was good but noting compared to 30 stm and finally they sing about the truth and sing about and care for the world!

Jared's voice is sometimes so similar to the voice of Kurt's style of singing... ) Nirvana grunge is clear, nothing to talk about what but my hand was pulled to the side of Mars)

Anything off the first two albums CAN qualify as grunge/post grunge. The first album is more leaned towards Metal whereas the second is Hard Rock.

30 seconds to mars... LOVE 'EM, such a great band, their songs all ways make me happy especially "Closer to the Edge" and "The Kill".

10 Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture of alternative rock, hip hop, and techno. Some of their influences include Nine Inch Nails, Deftones,... read more

Linkin Park should be #1.
As far as history goes, they have the most experience, meaning, sold more records, and are the first alternative rock band to get over a billion hits on YouTube.
They are also the most sucessful.
Their song "The Catalyst" has won Best Song In A Video Game.
Overall, BEST BAND EVER.

Linkin Park is definitely the best Alternative Rock band ever to exist. Not only did they rule the Alternative genre, they also invented a new genre called Nu-Metal, isn't that great? Linkin Park is #1 and Chester Bennington is the best vocalist, also Michael Shinoda for the best rapper. Long life LP! M/

They are the best band ever... They brought me into alt rock and grunge.. Their lyrics, music everything pulls you towards it... Linkin Park ROCKS!

The Contenders
11 Green Day Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their influences include The Ramones, Sex Pistols, NOFX, and Bad Religion. They are best known for their songs like ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, ‘Basket Case’ and their ‘American Idiot’ & ‘Dookie’ albums. American Idiot sold 6 million copies in the U.S. and won a Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album". Green Day have sold over 75 million records worldwide and have won 5 Grammy Awards. They ...read more.

What?
You got to be kidding me! Huh?
Green day is not on the list of best Alternative bands? GOD!
They are the best! Listen to their music at least!

Just listen to their Insomniac album and you will understand. Green Day is a mix of Punk Rock, Alternative Rock, and some Progressive rock! They're awesome

Best rock band ever!

12 Breaking Benjamin Breaking Benjamin is a American post-grunge/alternative metal/rock band formed in 1998. The bands members all changed in the time between 2010 to 2014, with the exception of Ben Burnley (Vocals). The Ex-Members included Chad Szeliga (Drums), Aaron Fink (Guitar) and Mark Klepaspi (Bass). ...read more.

So original, they don't just make their music for people to listen to it. They make it so you can feel the song deep inside you. No matter how you are feeling there is always a song from them to make you feel better. Just listen to some of their masterpieces like So Cold, Follow, Away, You Fight Me, Dance With The Devil, Until The End, Breath, Give Me a Sign, What Lies Beneath, Anthem of the Angels, Dear Agony and you'll know what I mean.

This is my favorite band of all time! These guys aren't really pure GRUNGE, they're more like REALLY heavy post-grunge, also known as Alternative Metal. Other Alternative metal bands would include Staind, Another Black Day, The Exies, Seether, Avenged Sevenfold, Trapt, Taproot, Shinedown, and Skillet.

If Benjamin Burnley did not have a mental illness, I trully believe this band would be the best in the world. You listen to his voice, and you hear a passion. Passion so immense that it takes you into the bands music. Get well soon Ben. The band should be #1 on any list.

Every song they do is so amazing and passionate, and Ben's voice is absolutely incredible. I can honestly say that I have not heard one song by them that I haven't liked. This deserves to be higher up!

13 Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983. ...read more.

This is the best band that has ever sang the sad thing is that nowadays people that said to be good singers are just singing for money and not for they're soul like red hot chili peppers do! But its good that they're in the hits again!

RHCP at least at one point in time should qualify to be among the top 3. Technically or in their originality in lyrics, tunes and melody stand apart from any band I have ever heard. I adore Keidis as much as I hate him. I miss the magic of Frusciante and Flea so so badly...

I can't believe it's not in the top ten it's definitely one of the best you alternative band you can hear. Come on people this list definitely needs a checkup

They're great, but they ain't grunge.

14 Stone Temple Pilots Stone Temple Pilots is an alternative rock band formed in San Diego, CA in 1989. ...read more.

They have something different in their music. It's a band with nice music, lyrics. Moreover, they are inspired from many kinds of music. I admire that! Special and unique!

This band isn't my favourite (Alice in chains is) but they are very underrated and they really defined the 90's. Core is amazing

Amazing band, and how the hell is this band lower than Green Day!

15 Weezer Weezer is an American alternative rock/power pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1992, currently consisting of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell, and Scott Shriner.

Come on guys. I think everyone has heard at least one song by Weezer. They have songs that are interesting, original, meaningful, fun, and all of them sound amazing. They deserve to be in top ten.

Great party rock. Sounds like guys you can hang with.

16 Radiohead Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwoood (bass guitar), Phil Selway (drums), and Ed O'Brien (guitar).

You guys are ridiculous...radiohead at 14? Below Linkin Park muse soundgarden and other mediocre band...yeah there can be conflict between nirvana, peral jam and radiohead so they should at least be at 3 for crissakes...if you still don't think so listen to karma police, no surprises, climbing up the walls, how to disappear completely, creep.I can name at least 20 radiohead songs which are better than the best songs of the above bands. Vote 4 them please.

How can Radiohead be this far down?! And with only 2%... Come on! This is truly an amazing band, with almost every album being an absolute masterpiece. And OK Computer is maybe the best album ever. EVERY SINGLE SONG is amazing. Each album brings new sounds, and a totally new experience. In Rainbows is simply awesome, with songs like Nude, 15 Step or Reckoner that are wonderful. Oh, and I forgot to mention Thom Yorke's voice is unbeatable.

14? How so? I mean Like They should be in Top 5 of every bands ever... And here they are at 14th place in alt genre what is wrong with you people?... All the tracks made by this band are absoloute masterpiece I mean like you can listen to ok computer or the bends and don't have to change the songs...

Reasons to love Radiohead: Kid A, In Rainbows, OK Computer, Amnesiac, The Bends, Hail to the Thief, A Moon Shaped Pool, The King of Limbs + Blow Out, Creep (yes! ) and Lurgee from Pablo Honey + Amnesiac B-Sides + In Rainbows (2nd disc) + Staircase. Well, I think it's enough for a start.

17 Muse Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocal, lead guitar, piano, keyboard), Dom Howard (drums, percussion) and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They've won several awards including 5 MTV Awards, 8 NME Awards, 2 Brit Awards, and 2 Grammy Awards.

Matt os a great singer/guitarist.. The bass player and drum player are completely sick and combined with their multiple prizes for their performances, they are THE BEST alternative rock band EVER.

Just listen to Muse and you'll see- they are the best. While listening their music I just keep falling into my own world. They have absolutely amazing songs for different moods. Matthew Bellamy is THE MOST TALENTED songwriter ever! <3 MUSE!

You can always here, when it is Muse playing on the radio! They are so innovative and unique!

Mk ultra, stockholm syndrome, sunburn citizen erazed, unintended desires, are awesome, MUSE is my favorite band...

18 Korn Korn is an American nu-metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup includes founding members Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Brian "Head" Welch, and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, with the addition of Ray Luzier, who replaced the band's original member, David ...read more.
19 Oasis Oasis were an English britpop band formed in Manchester in 1991. Developed from an earlier group, the Rain, the band originally consisted of Liam Gallagher (vocals and tambourine), Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, and Tony McCarroll. Noel Gallagher (Liam's Brother) served as the primary ...read more.

Every single song is listenable over and over again. Their open lyrics with multiple hidden meaning are just awesome.

They don't really fit into the genre of music but they're still a amazing band. They defined British music in the 90's so check em out

Best grunge band!

20 Rage Against The Machine Rage Against the Machine is a rap metal band formed in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk.

Their lyrics actually mean something other than darkness and depression. They made world issues into amazing music. If you say Tom Morello is overrated, You try making solos like he does

21 System of a Down System of a Down, formed in 1994, is an Armenian-American alternative metal group from Glendale, California. The band name is sometimes shortened to System or SOAD. They've always been a very political band since their inception. Often being against genocide and war most notably in songs like: Pluck, Holy Mountains, and BYOB (Bring Your Own Bombs). Serj is an active activist who wants to change the world for the better.

The band's current members include Serj Tankian (vocalist, keyboards), Daron Malakian (guitarist, vocalist), Shavo Odadjian (bassist), and John Dolmayan (drummer). ...read more.

System of a down has really spellbinding rhytms and lyrics, their music quality is one of the best for me. They should be in top 5 minimum

They are just perfect

22 Staind Staind was a post-grunge/alternative metal band formed in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1995. ...read more.
23 Live Live is an American alternative rock band from York, Pennsylvania, composed of Chad Taylor, Patrick Dahlheimer, Chad Gracey, and Chris Shinn. Live's original lead singer Ed Kowalczyk left the band in November 2009, but returned in December 2016.

One of the best bands in the 90's to come out post nirvana, pearl jam etc...

24 REM
25 Papa Roach Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California. Formed in 1993, their first major-label release was the triple-platinum album Infest.
8Load More
PSearch List