Bands That Defined the 1990'S

Entertainment and Media - Music

By: NicoleMN 16-Aug-2012

Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic in 1987. They were later joined by Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana found mainstream success with their single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" off of their second album Nevermind in 1991. Because of the increased airplay on radio and MTV, the band was considered the flagship band for the next generation. Their career was cut short when Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. Their previous recordings, In Utero and MTV Unplugged, have gone on to reach multiplatinum sales as well as other posthumous releases. Since then Nirvana has become one of the best selling rock bands of the past two decades.

Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an Amercian rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Its lineup includes Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Mike McCreedy, Jeff Ament and former Soundgarden drummer, Matt Cameron. The bands 1991 album, Ten, forged them into mainstream success. Since then, the band has sold over 31.5 million albums in the U.S and over 60 million worldwide. Pearl Jam is the only band to consecutively outlast its contemporaries from the alternative rock era in the early 90's. They have been considered one of the most influential bands of the 1990's.

Soundgarden

Soundgarden is an American rock band that also formed in Washington in 1984. The current members are Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Ben Shepard and Matt Cameron. Soundgarden were one of the seminal bands acredited with the style of alternative rock that emerged from Seattle. The band did not achieve commercial success until 1994 with their album Superunknown. The band broke up in 1997 but reunited in 2010. They have sold over 10.5 million albums in the U.S and 22.5 million worldwide.

Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains are an American rock band that formed in Washington in 1987 by Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley. They were later joined by Sean Kinney and Mike Inez. Although widely associated with the alternative rock scene that emerged from the Seattle area, Alice In Chains also incorporated elements of heavy metal and acoustic rock into their sound. They have become one of the most successful bands of the 1990's with over 35 million albums sold worldwide and 15 million in the U.S. In 2002, Layne Staley died from substance abuse but the remaining members reunited in 2005 accompanied by a new vocalist. In 2009 they released their first album in 14 years.

Green Day

Green Day is an American rock band that was formed in California in 1987 consisting of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool. In 1994, they released their major label debut, Dookie, which became a breakout success and skyrocketed the band to mass popularity. It went on to sell more than 10 million copies. Although reaching a small decline of mainstream success in the late 90's, their albums continued to sell millions. In 2004, the bands rock opera album, American Idiot, reignited their popularity. They have sold over 65 million albums worldwide and have won 5 Grammy awards.