Best Alternative Bands of the '90s
Here is a list of bands that I am putting in my files. I want to collect their songs, the songs, that became a hit during the boom of alternative rock up until the time when hybrid hardcore flourished. If there's something that's missing from this list you are welcome to add them.
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 of all time- Billy Corgan, especailly with albums Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Their sound captured sadness, happiness, love, depression, yet also a soothing comfort to the soul.
By far no doubt the best of the best. Very nice to see them here at #1 where they rightfully belong voted by the people, not the music industry. WPC is an all time musical genius.
SP had the widest range of musicality from psychedelic, hard core heavy metal, rock, grunge, shoegaze and dreamy sweeping ballads. Way more breadth then most of their peers could muster.

The band was comprised of Kurt Cobain (Vocals, Guitar), Dave Grohl (Drums) and Krist Novoselic (Bass).
Nirvana is most well-known for their... read more
Defined a new style of music, 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 make grunge, they just made it popular and better. Too bad kurt cobains dead...

This band are truly amazing. Ok Computer is one of the best albums of all time. Amazing band.
Radiohead>Nirvana... It's not even close
Thank god these guys are above Green Day and The Red Hot Chili Peppers

The band's members are Anthony Kiedis (Vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) and numerous guitarists, most well-known being John Frusciante.
The band is among the most well-known funk bands in music history with albums like "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" and "Californification"... 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, the way a significant portion of their songs can strike a chord with their audience. RHCP's music really does have something for everyone; the band has great music that might take a little digging past their top hits to find.
Even though every 90's alternative list seems to put Nirvana on top with good reason, but there is no reason Red Hot Chile Peppers should be any worse than 2. Give Californication, Otherside, Dani California, Under the Bridge, and Scar Tissue a listen. (There are many other good RHCP songs but I only listed the most popular ones.) The guitarist precision is astounding (Californication) and the bassist is purely amazing (Listen to Can't Stop for the best bass line of any alternative song) I can't see why Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins are above RHCP.

Champagne Supernova is probably the best song from the 90's. Noel Gallagher is one of the best song writers of all time, especially during this time.
Noel Gallagher is an unbelievable song writer. Still remains so today with his solo stuff.
People say they ripped off The Beatles. But they are a great talented band.

Best of all time

I'll never understand how Green Day trumps the Offspring. Dookie is awesome, then TWO DECADES later American Idiot is awesome with a few singles in between. The Offspring produced, Smash, Ixnay, Americana and Conspiracy of One and singles as well.
Few bands can churn out bangers for 3 decades straight the way Green Day has. Sure we can debate all day about whether they are "true punk" or not, but yo, they are good.
They were the only band at the time keeping punk rock alive. Say what you want, they're still punk.

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, and be below Pearl Jam for that matter... Just saying!

They have a great debut album they also have some good later music.
Emotion and a good rhythm, Easily the best.

Favorite band, but I honestly don't think of them when you're talking about "alternative" rock.
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.

Foo fighter is a term used by World War II pilots to identify UFOs. And 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're not one of the oldest.
One of the oldest, I still wonder about the meaning of their name. I guess it was taken from one of the controversial files I think from area 51. I am not sure.
One of the few 90s alternative rock bands that still make great music today.

The band currently consists of brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo (guitarist and bassist, respectively), and Eric Kretz (drummer). Their main vocalist from their formation up to 2013 was Scott Weiland. He was fired in 2013 and for a short time was replaced by Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington, who left to focus... read more




Eddie Vedder had amazing vocals, Mike McCready had fantastic solos, and Jeff Ament wrote the best music. Love Jeremy and Alive.
Only Nirvana's impact was greater and easily outclasses everyone on this list! ( Just one man's humble opinion )

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 amazing. Easily one of my favorite bands.
One of the best bands of the 90' and still one of the greatest vocals 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!


Should be top ten, the last of true punk rock and still significant today


The band is set together between Maynard James Keenan (Vocals), Danny Carey (Drums), Adam Jones (Guitar) and since 1995 Justin Chancellor (Bass).
The band is known for their influences from electronic sounds and their overly complex and strangely structured songs.
They released their debut album... read more
At first I was upset they were 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.
Should be higher on the list.


One of the most misunderstood bands, I think because their song isn't really the kind which you will get to like when you first hear it, you have to listen to their songs twice or thrice before you get to like it. And the lyrics is very poetic. But I just put them on the 9th because although they are my favorite, they still are young.
They aren't alternative. They fall under the category of alternative metal, but that's a subgenre of metal. Not alternative
Deftones are pioneers of alternative metal, they revolutionized the genre.

I am putting this band on my list because simply they are good, too bad they disbanded too early, I had their album before and I think all of the songs there was good.