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.
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. 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 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 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...
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). 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.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983.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... 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.
Oasis is an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. The group initially consisted of Liam Gallagher (lead vocals), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass guitar), and Tony McCarroll (drums). Liam asked his older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, vocals) to join as a fifth member a few... 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.
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio.
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... 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 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. 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!
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. They have a great debut album, and they also have some good later music.
Emotion and a good rhythm. Easily the best.
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. 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
Filter is an American alternative rock/alternative metal band formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio, by singer Richard Patrick and guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang.
Ween is an American experimental rock band formed in 1984, in New Hope, PA. It's members are Dean and Gene Ween.
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 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 is an alternative rock band formed in San Diego, CA in 1989.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... read more
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 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.)
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. It 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!
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.
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, bassist Greg K., lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman and drummer Pete Parada. Should be Top Ten. The last of true punk rock and still significant today.
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 but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have... read more One of the oldest bands still rocking.
Tool is an American alternative metal/progressive metal band, that was formed in 1990.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... 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 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 9 studio albums. Some of their most popular songs are Change (in... 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 are an English post-punk/gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member.
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.