Final Draft! Individual Essay

The Godfathers of Grunge.

As humans began to socialize, they found ways to express themselves, music is one of them. There are many music genres, but the ones with the biggest aproach to all kinds of people around the world have been pop and rock music. Eventually Rock music became famous for its rebel style, tough cords and explicit language. But there is history behind all the leather and big hair styles. This kind of music started as an expression of rebellion in the 70’s. At that time, young people where not satisfied with the “hippie” movement. Simultaneously with the Rock Music breakout came many mores. One of the most significant and outrageous of this genre has been the revolution known as Grunge. There are many grunge music bands, but the most important have been Sound garden, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam.

One of the most representative bands of grunge was Soundgarden, formed by Kim Thayil (guitar), Hiro Yamamoto (bass), and Bruce Pavitt. Yamamoto played in several cover bands before forming the band in 1984 with his roommate Chris Cornell (vocals), a Seattle native who had previously played drums in several bands. Thayil soon joined the duo and the group named itself Soundgarden after a local Seattle sculpture. Scott Sundquist originally was the band's drummer, but he was replaced by Matt Cameron in 1986 (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide. 2000). Grunge was an underground movement until Soundgarden finally signed up for “Sub Pop” the first grunge record label, which helped them become one of the most significant grunge bands in history.

Another important grunge band have been Nirvana, which started when Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar) met Chris Novoselic (born Krist Novoselic) (bass) in 1985 in Aberdeen, WA, a small logging town 100 miles away from Seattle. And after going throught a dozen of drummers, they finally stayed with David Grohl (Kim Summers, All Music Guide, 2000). This band made a considerable change in the genre, mainly due to the released of their second album, Nevermind (1991). After their single “Smells like Teen Spirit” video got to MTV, they just became the spokers of the 90’s generation. The song became an hymn for all teens and it just transformed Grunge music into a trend. Even though kurt Cobain (Nirvana’s leader singer) past away in 1994, they’re still one of the bands responsible for Grunge’s fame all over the world.

The other influential band is Pearl Jam. It was founded in 1990 by Jeff Ament (Bass Guitar), Stone Gossard (Rhythm Guitar), Mike McCready (Lead Guitar), Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals) and Matt Cameron (Drums). Pearl Jam was formed in Seattle, Whashignton, where the movement began, in 1990. They have realeased at least 20 albums along the road. Which makes them, not only pioneers, but Godfathers of Grunge music. Pearl Jam is the only band that has lasted over the years. They are still representing Grunge on the present day, keeping the essence of this revolutionary genre alive.

To summarize, rock music has transisted over the years. But the most important genre has been Grunge, because it was the origin of a sub-culture in Seattle, a city that bands would never visit. Soundgarden, Nirvana and Pearl Jam are indeed, responsible for the fame of Rock. They were the portal for not only new groups, but also genres that arised from the roots of Grunge.