The mainstreaming of Alternative owes just about everything to these guys. In the early 1990s, Grunge burst onto the music scene in Seattle-bringing with it lots of attitude and a lifestyle recognized by long hair and flannel shirts. The original Grunge sound featured seriously heavy guitar distortion and murky vocals. After Nirvana hit the big time, Grunge lost much of its harder edges and anti-establishment connections to Punk. Grunge's second coming-with bands like Hole and the Foo Fighters-brought with it lighter sounds, appealing melodies, and milder lyrics. Key Artists: Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
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Read more: the ListenSmart article on this style.