Best Alternative Bands of the '90s

Here is a list of bands that I'm putting in my files. I want to collect their songs, the songs that became hits during the boom of alternative rock up until the time when hybrid hardcore flourished.

If there's something missing from this list, you're welcome to add them.

The Top Ten

Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1988. The band was founded by frontman Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha, with D'arcy Wretzky on bass and Jimmy Chamberlin on drums rounding out the original lineup. They rose to prominence in the 1990s with... read more

Easily the most unique and diverse-sounding band of the '90s, if not of all time, with, in my opinion, one of the most unique vocalists ever - Billy Corgan. Especially with albums like Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, their sound captured sadness, happiness, love, and depression, yet also provided a soothing comfort to the soul.

By far, no doubt, the best of the best. Very nice to see them here at number one, where they rightfully belong - voted by the people, not the music industry. WPC is an all-time musical genius.
Nirvana

Nirvana was an American grunge band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. The band consisted of Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Dave Grohl (drums), who joined in 1990. Nirvana disbanded following Cobain's death by suicide in 1994.... read more

Defined a new style of music. They should be #1. They are the equivalent of Elvis to rock and roll or Black Sabbath to metal. No equal.

Nirvana is the band responsible for making grunge music popular. A great band.

Nirvana didn't create grunge. They just made it popular and better. Too bad Kurt Cobain is dead...
Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American funk-rock and alternative rock band founded in 1983 in Los Angeles. The current core lineup includes Anthony Kiedis, Michael "Flea" Balzary, Chad Smith, and Joshua Klinghoffer, although John Frusciante remains the most acclaimed guitarist associated with the... read more

RHCP has a very eclectic mix of genres represented in their songs, from rap/punk rock to slow, emotional rock ballads. They never aligned with any specific sound of the era. They created their own. Their guitarist is a musical genius, and a significant portion of their songs can really strike a chord with their audience. RHCP's music truly has something for everyone. The band has great music that might take a little digging past their top hits to find.

Even though every '90s alternative list seems to put Nirvana on top - and with good reason - there is no reason the Red Hot Chili Peppers shouldn't be ranked at least second. Give Californication, Otherside, Dani California, Under the Bridge, and Scar Tissue a listen. (There are many other great RHCP songs, but I only listed the most popular ones.) The guitarist's precision is astounding (Californication), and the bassist is purely amazing (Can't Stop has the best bass line of any alternative song). I can't see why Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins are ranked above RHCP.
Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien.
Known for their experimentation and sonic evolution, they rose to international prominence with OK Computer and continued... read more

This band is truly amazing. OK Computer is one of the best albums of all time. Amazing band.

Thank God these guys are above Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Radiohead > Nirvana... It's not even close.
Oasis

Oasis is an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. The original lineup consisted of Liam Gallagher (lead vocals), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass guitar), and Tony McCarroll (drums). A few months later, Liam invited his older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, vocals) to join the... read more

Champagne Supernova is probably the best song from the '90s. Noel Gallagher is one of the best songwriters of all time, especially during this era.

Noel Gallagher is an unbelievable songwriter and still remains so today with his solo stuff.

People say they ripped off The Beatles, but they are a great, talented band.
Green Day

Green Day are an American pop punk and punk rock band formed in East Bay, California, in 1987. The core members are Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tré Cool (drums), with Jason White often performing live on guitar. They blend punk rock, pop punk, and alternative rock, drawing... read more

Few bands can churn out bangers for three decades straight the way Green Day has. Sure, we can debate all day about whether they are "true punk" or not, but you know what? They are good.

They were the only band at the time keeping punk rock alive. Say what you want, they're still punk.

Their early music is much better than their American Idiot album.
Soundgarden

Soundgarden was an American grunge and alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.
The band was one of the pioneers of the grunge movement and released critically acclaimed albums... read more

With tracks like "Rusty Cage" and "Jesus Christ Pose" (and a less-known but incredible track, "Room a Thousand Years Wide"), I can't see how Soundgarden could be left off this list - or ranked below Pearl Jam, for that matter. Just saying!
Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The founding lineup included Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament. The band is best known for its debut album Ten, which features the hit singles "Even Flow," "Black," and "Jeremy," and was named after basketball... read more

Eddie Vedder had amazing vocals, Mike McCready had fantastic solos, and Jeff Ament wrote the best music. I love Jeremy and Alive.

Only Nirvana's impact was greater and easily outclasses everyone on this list! (Just one man's humble opinion.)
Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. They have released eleven studio albums.
The band is known for its dark, moody lyricism and aggressive vocal delivery. Their biggest hits include "Closer," "Hurt," "Wish," "We're in This Together... read more
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. The band's most notable hits include "Man in the Box," "Down in a Hole," "Heaven Beside You," "No Excuses," "What the... read more

For sure should be higher up. Just listen to Rooster, Would? and Man in the Box.

AIC should be Number 1 on this list, certainly ahead of Chili Peppers.

The Newcomers

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Tribe After Tribe
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Temple of the Dog

Temple of the Dog is a rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1990. The band was created by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the late vocalist of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. The group included Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, both former members of Mother Love Bone,... read more

The Contenders

Weezer

Weezer is an American alternative rock and power pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1992. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Patrick Wilson (drums), Brian Bell (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), and Scott Shriner (bass, backing vocals).... read more

They have a great debut album, and they also have some good later music.

Emotion and a good rhythm. Easily the best.
Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. The band was founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after Kurt Cobain's death and Nirvana's breakup. The current lineup consists of Dave Grohl (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, primary songwriter), Pat Smear (rhythm guitar... read more

Foo fighter was a term used by World War II pilots to identify UFOs. The name of the band is Foo Fighters - it's plural. They are definitely one of my favorite bands. Founded in 1994 by Dave Grohl, they may not be one of the oldest, but they are one of the best.

One of the few '90s alternative rock bands that still make great music today.
Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots is an alternative rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1989.
The current lineup features brothers Dean DeLeo (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass), along with drummer Eric Kretz. The original lead vocalist, Scott Weiland, was with the band until 2013. After his departure,... read more
Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine is an American rap metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1991. The lineup consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk.
Their politically charged music, which blended rock, hip-hop, and funk, debuted... read more
Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in San Francisco in 1993. The songwriting duo of Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan signed the band's first major-label recording contract with Elektra Records in 1996, which was later reported as the largest publishing deal ever for an unsigned... read more

Third Eye Blind is amazing. With The Background, God of Wine, Narcolepsy, Blinded, Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, What's It Going to Be, Wounded, Alright Caroline, and many others, their early discography is incredible. Easily one of my favorite bands.

One of the best bands of the '90s and still one of the greatest vocalists I have ever heard. Plus, Stephen Jenkins was amazing. I wonder where he is now.

This should at least be in the Top 10! All five of their albums (sixth on the way) have awesome songs!
The Offspring

The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Originally named Manic Subsidal, the band currently consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Todd Morse, and drummer Brandon Pertzborn... read more

Should be Top Ten. The last of true punk rock and still significant today.
U2

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk and gradually evolved to incorporate elements of alternative rock, electronic, and pop music. Known for their anthemic sound and use... read more

One of the oldest bands still rocking.
Tool

Tool is an American alternative and progressive metal band formed in 1990.
The lineup includes Maynard James Keenan (vocals), Danny Carey (drums), Adam Jones (guitar), and Justin Chancellor (bass), who joined in 1995. The band is recognized for incorporating electronic influences and for their... read more

At first, I was upset they were ranked so low, but it's Tool - not everyone is ready. Oh well, it's their loss. Number 1 for me.

They defined '90s alternative metal.
Deftones

Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California. The band, which was founded in 1988, consists of Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, Frank Delgado, Abe Cunningham, and Sergio Vega.
They have released a total of nine studio albums. Some of their most popular songs include... read more

One of the most misunderstood bands, I think, because their music isn't the kind you will like right away. You have to listen to their songs two or three times before you start to appreciate them. The lyrics are very poetic. But I put them at number nine because although they are my favorite, they were still relatively young in the '90s.

Deftones are pioneers of alternative metal. They revolutionized the genre.
The Cure

The Cure are an English post-punk and gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Robert Smith remaining the only consistent member. They are known for hits such as Just Like Heaven and Lovesong... read more
New Radicals

I am putting this band on my list because, simply, they are good. It's too bad they disbanded too early. I had their album before, and I think all of the songs on it were good.
Sublime

Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's lineup remained unchanged until their breakup and consisted of Bradley Nowell, Eric Wilson, and Bud Gaugh. They are best known for hits such as What I Got, Santeria, and Wrong Way.

Should be higher, in the single digits.
Blur

Blur is an English rock band formed in London in 1988. The group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and drummer Dave Rowntree. They were a leading force in the Britpop movement and achieved massive international success with their 1997 hit Song 2.

Blur's self-titled fifth album and its follow-up, 13, are some of the best alternative albums I own. Definitely underrated. If they are not on this list, they should be.
311

311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist and guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson, and bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills. Their music fuses rock, reggae, hip hop, and funk, and they are known for hits like "Down" and "Amber."

I like the style.
Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth was an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founding members Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lee Ranaldo remained with the band throughout its existence. Steve Shelley joined as drummer in 1985, solidifying the group's core lineup until their disbandment in 2011.

None of the above bands would be together if not for EVOL, Sister, and Daydream Nation.