The 1990s were a defining era for rock music, giving rise to some of the most influential groups in history. Departing from the near-universal metal-inspired sound of 80s rock, the 90s started incorporating more skater vibes. From grunge to alternative and punk to metal, these artists shaped a generation with their innovative instrumentation and lyrics. Here are 28 essential 90s rock bands that still deserve a spot on your playlist.
| Band | Genre | Top Album |
|---|---|---|
| Nirvana | Grunge | Nevermind (1991) |
| Alice In Chains | Grunge / Alternative Metal | Dirt (1992) |
| Soundgarden | Grunge / Alternative Metal | Superunknown (1994) |
| Green Day | Pop-Punk / Punk Rock | Dookie (1994) |
| Radiohead | Alternative Rock / Art Rock | OK Computer (1997) |
| Pearl Jam | Grunge / Alternative Rock | Ten (1991) |
| R.E.M. | Alternative Rock / Jangle Pop | Automatic For The People (1992) |
| Foo Fighters | Alternative Rock / Post-Grunge | The Colour and the Shape (1997) |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | Funk Rock / Alternative Rock | Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) |
| Wilco | Alternative Rock / Alt-Country | Summerteeth (1999) |
| Pantera | Groove Metal / Heavy Metal | Vulgar Display of Power (1992) |
| Blink-182 | Pop-Punk / Skate Punk | Enema Of The State (1999) |
| Oasis | Britpop / Alternative Rock | Definitely Maybe (1994) |
| U2 | Alternative Rock / Post-Punk | Achtung Baby (1991) |
| Sonic Youth | Noise Rock / Alternative Rock | Goo (1990) |
| No Doubt | Ska Punk / Alternative Rock | Tragic Kingdom (1995) |
| The Offspring | Punk Rock / Pop-Punk | Smash (1994) |
| The Wallflowers | Alternative Rock / Heartland Rock | Bringing Down the Horse (1996) |
| Rage Against The Machine | Rap Rock / Alternative Metal | Rage Against The Machine (1992) |
| The Cranberries | Alternative Rock / Dream Pop | Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993) |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | Alternative Rock / Shoegaze | Siamese Dream (1993) |
| The Verve | Britpop / Alternative Rock | Urban Hymns (1997) |
| Megadeth | Thrash Metal / Heavy Metal | Rust In Peace (1990) |
| Dave Matthews Band | Jam Band / Alternative Rock | Before These Crowded Streets (1998) |
| Tool | Progressive Metal / Alternative Metal | Ænima (1996) |
| Counting Crows | Alternative Rock / Folk Rock | August and Everything After (1993) |
| Hootie & The Blowfish | Roots Rock / Pop Rock | Cracked Rear View (1994) |
| Sublime | Ska Punk / Reggae Rock | Sublime (1996) |
Nirvana
Few groups changed rock or had as deep a cultural impact as Nirvana. Their breakout came with 1991’s Nevermind, featuring the legendary hit Smells Like Teen Spirit. The album sold over 30 million copies and turned grunge into a cultural movement. Despite Kurt Cobain’s tragic death in 1994, their impact remains timeless in cultural consciousness.
When comparing bands like Nirvana to those that were popular in the 60s, it's interesting to see just how much the genre had changed.
Alice In Chains
Blending grunge and heavy metal, Alice In Chains broke out with Facelift in 1990, but Dirt (1992) became their most celebrated album. Hits like Man in the Box and Rooster showcased their dark, haunting sound. The aesthetic of the music was inspired by the gloomy atmosphere in their native city, Seattle.
Soundgarden
With Chris Cornell’s powerful vocals, Soundgarden brought a heavier edge to grunge. Their 1994 release Superunknown went multi-platinum, featuring Black Hole Sun, one of the decade’s top rock tracks. They earned two Grammys and remained a force until Cornell’s passing in 2017. Without a doubt, they are one of the best rock bands of the 90s.
Chris Cornell's singing range was so broad that multiple mics and condensers were needed to capture his whole range. His powerful voice even blew out a few mics during recording.
Green Day
Still making waves today, Green Day is one band that left an unexpectedly deep impression on an entire generation. Pop-punk exploded thanks to Green Day’s Dookie (1994), selling over 20 million copies. Tracks like Basket Case and When I Come Around made them icons. They continued to evolve, later achieving massive fame with American Idiot in the 2000s rock scene.
Radiohead
Starting with 1992’s Creep, Radiohead quickly became one of alt rock’s most innovative groups. OK Computer (1997) was hailed as one of the greatest albums in the genre's history. Their experimental sound and deeply relatable, philosophic lyrics kept them ahead of their time, influencing countless artists and solidifying them as one of the best 90s rock bands.
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam’s Ten (1991) is one of the top-selling rock albums ever. Songs like Alive, Even Flow, and Jeremy defined grunge. Unlike many of their peers, they avoided mainstream commercialization, but their love for raw-sounding music ensured long-term triumph. Their lyrics tended to include heavy topics that resonated on a deep level with grunge fans in a way that many past music genres had shied away from.
R.E.M.
Riding their popularity as established in the 80s, R.E.M. thrived in the 90s with Losing My Religion and Man on the Moon. Their work Automatic for the People drew praise from US and UK audiences, setting the band up for a successful European tour in the coming years.
Foo Fighters
Formed by Nirvana’s Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters debuted in 1995 with their self-titled album. Everlong and My Hero became some of their biggest hits. The satisfying quality of their music combined with rich vocals and Grohl’s lovable persona ensured lasting popularity. Their fame continues on to the present day, where they are still performing regularly.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Merging funk, rock, and alternative, RHCP exploded with Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Californication (1999) established their lasting legacy of being a group with great lyrics and sound. Hits like Under the Bridge and Scar Tissue made them one of the era's top-selling groups.
Wilco
Originally an alt-country band, Wilco quickly learned how to explore multiple paths with their music, diving into 70s style psychedelic pop, post-punk, and even ambient sounds as well as good old-fashioned classic rock. Their work in expanding the boundaries of the genre is evident in their albums Being There (1996) and Summerteeth (1999). Their unique sound kept them a favorite among indie music lovers.
When Jeff Tweedy (vocals, guitar) was 12, he got into a bicycle accident that left him bedridden for months. It was at that time that he learned how to play guitar to pass the time.
Pantera
Bringing groove metal to the mainstream, Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power (1992) was a defining heavy rock album. They departed from their earlier glam rock sound of the 80s to embrace a heavier style in the 90s; a decision that would decidedly pay off. Pantera’s music, known for its deep lyrics and interesting mix of rock-metal falsetto and shouting, made them stand out for hardcore fans and casual music listeners.
Blink-182
Blink-182’s Enema of the State (1999) decidedly turned pop-punk into the next big thing. Hits like All the Small Things introduced a generation to the “pop-punk accent,” which informed the next decade of singers. Their catchy tunes resonated not just with angsty teens, but the masses in general, which has kept Blink a relevant cultural topic even today.
Oasis
Britpop’s biggest band, Oasis ruled the 90s with Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger. Their album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? sold over 22 million copies. While they might get flack for Wonderwall’s notoriety as the go-to guitar poser tune, it doesn’t mean they weren’t also actually a good band!
U2
Already legends from the 80s, U2 reinvented their sound for the new decade with Achtung Baby (1991). They knew that music was evolving and listener preferences were changing, so they, too, needed to freshen up their sound. Tracks like One kept them at the forefront of rock music.
Sonic Youth
At the beginning of their career, Sonic Youth was inspired by the avante-garde “no wave” music movement which rejected the genre's modern clichés. They became pioneers of noise rock, and experimental albums like Goo (1990) made them icons in alt music. Where their early works were too niche for a wider audience, their 90s albums connected with the masses.
No Doubt
Another interesting direction in the music scene at the time was embracing ska into the mainstream. Blending ska and rock, No Doubt hit it big with Tragic Kingdom (1995). Don’t Speak became one of the most iconic songs of the 90s, along with I’m Just a Girl.
The Offspring
The Offspring are credited with being among a handful of groups responsible for rekindling the dying embers of punk pop and punk rock, bringing the genres to new heights in the 90s. Smash (1994), featuring Self Esteem and Come Out and Play, became the band’s best-selling album. Other hit singles from their later collection Americana (1998), Pretty Fly (for a White Guy); Why Don't You Get a Job?; and The Kids Aren't Alright are still widely remembered.
The Wallflowers
Though not as commercially successful as many other famous rock bands from the 90s, The Wallflowers offered a unique sound to the music scene. Led by Jakob Dylan, The Wallflowers finally struck gold with Bringing Down the Horse (1996), featuring 6th Avenue Heartache and One Headlight. They went from having modest celebrity status to being nominated for two Grammy awards in about one year’s time.
Rage Against The Machine
Merging rap and rock, RATM’s Killing in the Name became a powerful protest anthem. Even those who aren’t all that crazy about RATM’s sound feel inspired by the band’s politically charged lyrics and bold attitude. Their entire band persona is all about being provocative in the name of pointing out social and political injustices in the world.
The Cranberries
A band with unmatched synergy between its members, The Cranberries spent years building up their musical exposure before releasing their first album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993). They saw immediate and lasting commercial success with singles from the album, Linger and Dreams, becoming hits. O’Riordan’s haunting vocals set the band apart musically, and their politically charged songs like Zombie earned them widespread attention.
The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan’s vision led Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) to massive success. 1979 and Bullet with Butterfly Wings were instant classics. Although the music was mostly very dark and depressive, a different beat than most other popular music of any kind, it resonated widely with audiences and elevated the band to fame.
The Verve
A band with a more short-lived triumph than many others listed, they nevertheless served as a great influence for many musicians and music fans. Their 1997 album Urban Hymns contained the mega-hit Bittersweet Symphony for which they are most known. The Verve’s brand of psychedelic-flavored alt-rock made them an attractive musical group.
The Verve were originally given permission to sample an orchestral cover of "The Last Time" by The Rolling Stones for use in their song "Bittersweet Symphony," but when the song became a megahit, the band was sued by The Stones' lawyers for using "too much" of the sample. As a result, they had to co-credit the song to Jagger and forfeit royalties for 22 years. (The Rolling Stones also thought the lawsuit was ridiculous.)
Megadeth
Already a cornerstone of thrash metal since the 80s, Megadeth blended intensity with precision to remain a cultural icon in the scene. Countdown to Extinction (1992) showcased their technical skill while earning commercial success, going double platinum. Hits like Symphony of Destruction brought the band into the limelight, earning them continued relevance in the thrash metal community.
Dave Matthews Band
Known first for their improvisational live shows and second for their infamous tour bus dumping incident in 2004, Dave Matthews Band achieved mainstream sensation with Under the Table and Dreaming (1994) and Crash (1996). The single Crash Into Me became a fan favorite, featuring a pleasing blend of rock, folk, and jazz elements. Meanwhile, Under The Table and Dreaming became a six-times certified platinum album, earning them the title of being one of the best rock bands 90s.
Tool
Known for their experimental sound and the intense visual elements of their live shows and music videos, Tool became a success with their progressive album Ænima (1996). Their history of being outspoken critics of censorship in music and standing up for their beliefs helped them earn a reputation for being a group to watch beyond just their music. Much of Tool’s music was too explicit for radio play, so they garnered most of their attention from live shows and word of mouth.
Counting Crows
With poetic lyrics and melancholic melodies, August and Everything After (1993) introduced the world to Counting Crows. The collection contained the single Mr. Jones, which became an instant hit, making them one of alt rock’s most enduring groups. Though vocalist Duritz struggled with the sudden stardom, the band was still an active part of the 90s music scene.
Hootie & The Blowfish
Blending roots rock and pop, Hootie & The Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View (1994) remains one of the top-selling albums of the decade with 22 platinum certifications. Works like Only Wanna Be with You dominated the airwaves, earning them Grammy recognition. Rucker’s melodic voice made their music so pleasing to listen to that fans didn’t even mind his lack of pronunciation in many hit songs.
Sublime
Fusing ska, punk, and reggae, Sublime’s self-titled 1996 work defined 90s California culture. Santeria and What I Got remain beloved hits, ensuring their legacy despite lead singer Bradley Nowell’s untimely passing. Although the band was not known for their good behavior backstage at live events, fans loved their sound.
The 90s music scene was a departure from previous decades’ distinct sounds. These bands helped shape the musical culture of the era with their various musical contributions. The steps these groups took in rock music in the 90s helped shape the music of the coming years and beyond.
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