Every action has a reaction, and this is clear in the music scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s. During this time, excess was everywhere. Bands were competing for the wildest looks and lifestyles while creating catchy rock songs in a style later known as “hair metal.” In response to this extravagance, grunge emerged. Starting in mid-’80s Seattle and peaking in the early ’90s, grunge transformed rock music and the cultural landscape worldwide.
Seattle in the ’80s was far from cheerful. The Boeing layoffs had hit the city hard, leaving around 60,000 people without jobs. The gloomy weather matched the tough social conditions, and many local youths grew up in struggling families with little hope for the future. This environment gave rise to a new generation of disaffected working-class kids.
Musically, Seattle was cut off from the major hubs like New York and Los Angeles. This isolation allowed local musicians to create without the pressure of fitting into mainstream trends. Punk became the voice of their anger, with bands like 10 Minute Warning and Green River leading the charge. Many young musicians also loved classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. This blend of punk and heavy metal quickly gained traction, attracting the attention of independent labels.
One of the first labels to embrace grunge was Sub Pop. Despite early challenges, they signed Green River and released their EP, promoting it as “ultra-loose grunge that destroyed the morals of a generation.” Local bands honed their grunge sound in small clubs like The Central Saloon and The Crocodile, giving angry suburban kids a way to express their feelings. The music featured heavy, distorted guitars, creating a dark sound that stood in stark contrast to the pop-infused hits of the time.
