Alternative, nu metal, grunge, and more – teens and adults alike have been singing at the top of their lungs to 90s rock music. The decade produced some of the most iconic rock bands and its music still fills millions of playlists today.
Throughout the 90s, dozens of rock albums were produced, changing the rock scene to enormous degrees. The bands making these albums prompted significant change in pop culture and the world, often carrying deeper messages about society and the self. 90s rock has resurged in popularity, and many high schoolers can be found listening to songs such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana and “Zombie” by The Cranberries in the halls and everywhere they go. While many other bands were very popular in that era, these five bands capture the wide variety of 90s rock sub genres to encapsulate all of the bands that the Chronicle believes are the most innovative and relevant today.
#5 Radiohead
Rising to popularity again in recent years, this alternative art rock band is known for its emotionally charged songs. Nearly everyone has cried their eyes out to the band’s 1993 hit “Creep.” Radiohead formed in 1985, and released multiple successful albums throughout the 90s and into the 2000s including “The Bends” (1995), “OK Computer” (1997), and “In Rainbows” (2007). Their experimental music style has accumulated a wide audience because of their unique instrumentation for the era. Most of their songs are soft and slightly haunting, shown in songs like “High and Dry” and “Exit Music (For A Film)” while others such as “Let Down” are more upbeat and nostalgic in nature. Their ability to mix vulnerability with artistry is refreshing among heavy rock music, making their music iconic.
#4 Garbage
Led by female front runner Shirley Manson, Garbage is an alternative electronic rock band formed in 1993. Their music is grungy and angsty in nature, highlighted by their song “I’m Only Happy When It Rains.” Their self-depricating lyricism in tracks like “#1 Crush” and “I Think I’m Paranoid,” tied with their eccentric melodies, absorb the attention of their audience. Garbage has released eight studio albums, with their most popular being their 1995 self-titled debut featuring “Stupid Girl” and “Supervixen,” both about manipulation and control. Garbage perfectly captures the teenage punk spirit characteristic of the mid-90s, and their music is still influential to this day. Their unapologetic tone and distinctive style opened doors for future female-lead alternative bands.
#3 Nine Inch Nails
This industrial rock band, created in 1988 but popularized in the mid-90s, was truly innovative for the rock scene. Nine Inch Nails’ music is slightly disturbing, often reflected in their music videos, such as “The Perfect Drug” and “Closer,” both hypnotic to listeners. Their instrumentalism is odd and heavy, drawing on elements seen in metal blended with idiosyncratic beats. Although their music is overtly carnal, their lyrics serve a deeper purpose than just what you hear, conveying messages about inner conflict and self-hatred, one example being their song “Hurt.” Other songs scrutinize real-life events, like how “The Hand That Feeds” was written about the Iraq War. There is no doubt that Nine Inch Nail’s writing style is psychotic, but it made them one of the most memorable bands of their time.
#2 Smashing Pumpkins
A favorite among teens even today, Smashing Pumpkins mixes alternative rock and grunge into their music style. Their most known albums are “Siamese Dream” (1993) and “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” (1995), topping charts throughout the decade. The band balances softer, more whimsical songs such as “Cupid de Locke” or “Perfect” with harsher, more driven songs like “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.” All of these tracks feature notable beats, carried by Billy Corgan’s disctinctive voice and the band’s insightful messages. Their songs span a wide variety of themes—songs such as “Disarm” are about childhood trauma and tense parental relationships while “1979” analyzes the freeing yet challenging transition to adulthood. Nevertheless, each of one of their songs tugs at their listeners’ heartstrings, making the band stand out as one of the most dynamic acts of the 90s.
#1 Red Hot Chili Peppers
This mid to late 90s eclectic about rock band blends alternative and funk rock into its catchy and memorable songs. The Red Hot Chili Peppers released albums stretching from the 80s all the way into the 2000s, but the 90s defined their legacy. The beats are reminiscent of 70s rock and funk bands, especially in their earlier discography. Their later songs draw on more alternative rock themes, shown through “Scar Tissue” or “Under the Bridge.” Certainly, their most memorable song is “Californication,” which criticizes Hollywood and the American Dream. Quite a few of their songs are inspired by hyper-specific modern dilemmas, providing insight into the events that occurred. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are still releasing chart-topping albums and touring years after their rise to fame, truly paved the way for modern rock, and the band still continues to influence music today.
