Grunge Music

Grunge is a style of rock music that started in Seattle, Washington. It mixes punk rock and heavy metal into a loud, raw sound. Grunge bands wore simple clothes like flannel shirts and ripped jeans. In the early 1990s, grunge became one of the biggest music styles in the world.

The Sound of Grunge

Grunge music uses loud, distorted electric guitars. The singing can be soft one moment and screaming the next. The lyrics often talk about real feelings and struggles. Grunge sounded different from the polished pop music of the 1980s. Fans liked that it felt honest and real.

Famous Grunge Bands

Nirvana was the most famous grunge band. Their song Smells Like Teen Spirit changed rock music. Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains were also big grunge bands. All of these bands came from the Seattle area. Grunge put Seattle on the music map.

Fun Facts

• Nirvana's album Nevermind has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
• Seattle, Washington, is known as the birthplace of grunge.
• Grunge fans wore flannel shirts, which became a big fashion trend in the 1990s.

Did You Know?

Nirvana's hit song Smells Like Teen Spirit was so popular that it knocked Michael Jackson off the number one spot on the music charts!