[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock

Touch Me I’m SickMudhoney

Mudhoney – Touch Me I’m Sick [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

One hallmark of grunge is a heavily distorted, almost blown-out guitar sound—often called fuzz.

The band where I feel this is most obvious is Mudhoney.

Their fuzzy guitar tones and punk-influenced, sarcastic vocal delivery place them squarely at the heart of grunge.

Hell YeahZebrahead

Zebrahead – Hell Yeah (Official Music Video)

This is a song by Zebrahead, a punk rock band that lays down feel-good party tunes.

While rooted in punk rock, the track features rap, giving it a distinctive structure.

It’s an energizing song that makes you want to go wild.

Them BonesAlice In Chains

Alice In Chains – Them Bones (Official HD Video)

The fact that such a dark and intense sound became a massive hit makes me feel the shadow hanging over early-’90s America.

Hailing from the same Seattle scene as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, they stand as one of the emblematic acts of ’90s alternative rock and grunge.

At the same time, their sound—where the tragic charisma of Layne Staley’s occult-like vocals and dark inner world intertwine with Jerry Cantrell’s melodious yet heavy guitar riffs and exquisite harmonies, all riding a surging, sinuous rhythm section—earned strong praise, especially among metal fans, as a new form of heavy metal.

If you like this track, which opens the historic masterpiece Dirt released in 1992, definitely check out the entire album as well.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

KOH-1

Report a problem

Honey BucketsMelvins

Honey Bucket

Formed in the early 1980s, the Melvins are often hailed as the “godfathers of grunge,” a band that has continued for decades with its unshakable core members: vocalist/guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover.

It’s also well known that Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was close with the Melvins and was an ardent fan.

The sound the Melvins create is by no means designed for mass appeal—featuring heavy, noisy riffs and experimental approaches—and it’s fair to say they influenced all kinds of heavy rock beyond grunge from the 1990s onward.

The track introduced here appears on their landmark major-label debut album, Houdini.

It’s relatively accessible by their standards and is a great recommendation for newcomers.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

KOH-1

Report a problem

Swallow My PrideGreen River

Swallow My Pride

If you trace the roots of grunge, you can’t overlook Green River from Seattle, USA.

Featuring future members of Pearl Jam and Mudhoney, they’re truly regarded as the “forefathers of grunge.” The track introduced here fuses punk’s aggression with the heavy riffs of hard rock—raw yet gripping.

Lyrically, it lays bare a deep disgust toward the shallow patriotism permeating society at the time, explored through a romantic relationship.

That rebellious spirit still resonates with many today.

The song was released on the 1985 EP “Come On Down” and was later covered by bands like Soundgarden.

There’s even a legendary tale that they reunited during a Pearl Jam show in November 1993 and performed this very song.