This is a list of American grunge bands. It includes rock bands and solo artists formed in the United States whose primary genre is grunge or either they have or had the elements of it in their music style. Grunge music is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song dynamics, and apathetic or angst-filled lyrics. The grunge aesthetic is stripped-down compared to other forms of rock music, and many grunge musicians were noted for their unkempt appearances and rejection of theatrics.
# Band Years active Origin Studio albums 7 Year Bitch1990–1997 Seattle, Washington Sick 'Em (1992) ¡Viva Zapata! (1994) Gato Negro (1996)
A Band Years active Origin Studio albumsThe Afghan Whigs1986–PresentCincinnati, Ohio Big Top Halloween (1988) Up in It (1990) Congregation (1992) Gentlemen (1993) Black Love (1996) 1965 (1998) Do to the Beast (2014) In Spades (2017) How Do You Burn? (2022) Alice in Chains1987–2002 / 2005–Present Seattle, Washington Facelift (1990) Dirt (1992) Alice in Chains (1995) Black Gives Way to Blue (2009) The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013) Rainier Fog (2018)Alice Donut1986–1996 / 2001 – PresentNew York City, New York Donut Comes Alive (1988) Bucketfulls of Sickness and Horror in an Otherwise Meaningless Life (1989) Mule (1990) Revenge fantasies of the impotent (1990) The Untidy Suicides of your Degenerate Children (1992) Pure Acid Park (1995) Three Sisters (2004) Fuzz (2006) Ten Glorious Animals (2009)Alcohol Funnycar1991–1996Seattle, Washington Burn (1993) Time To Make The Donuts (1993) Weasels (1995)
B Band Years active Origin Studio albums Babes in Toyland1987–2001 Minneapolis, Minnesota Spanking Machine (1990) Fontanelle (1992) Nemesisters (1995)Big Chief1989–1996Ann Arbor, Michigan Face (1991) Mack Avenue Skullgame (1993) Platinum Jive (1994) Blind Melon1990–1999 / 2006–2008 / 2010–Present Los Angeles, California Blind Melon (1992) Soup (1995) For My Friends (2008) Blood Circus1986–1989 / 1992 / 2007 Seattle, WashingtonBullet LaVolta1987-1992Boston, Massachusetts The Gift (1989) Swandive (1992) Bundle of Hiss1980–1988 Seattle, WashingtonSessions: 1986-1988 (2000)
C Band Years active Origin Studio albums Cat Butt1987–1990 Seattle, Washington Journey to the Center Of (1989) Coffin Break1987–1994 Seattle, Washington Psychosis (1989) Rupture (1990) Crawl (1991) Thirteen (1992)
D Band Years active Origin Studio albumsDaddy Hate Box1989–1990Seattle, Washington Sugar Plow (1990) Dandelion1989–1996 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania I Think I'm Gonna Be Sick (1993) Dyslexicon (1995)Das Damen1984–1991New York, New York Das Damen (1986) Jupiter Eye (1986) Triskaidekaphobe (1988) Mouse Trap (1989) Dickless1989–1998 Seattle, WashingtonDrop Acid1991–1993Sacramento, California Making God Smile (1991) 36th & Teeth E.P. (1992)
F Band Years active Origin Studio albums Failure1990–1997, 2014–present Los Angeles, California Comfort (1992) Magnified (1994) Fantastic Planet (1996) The Heart Is A Monster (2015) In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind (2018) Wild Type Droid (2021) Fecal Matter1985–1986 Aberdeen, Washington Illiteracy Will Prevail (1986) Flowerhead1987–1995 Austin, Texas ...Ka-Bloom! (1992) The People's Fuzz (1995) The Fluid1984–1993 / 2008 Denver, Colorado Punch n Judy (1986) Clear Black Paper (1988) Roadmouth (1989) Purplemetalflakemusic (1993)
G Band Years active Origin Studio albumsGas Huffer1989–2006Seattle, Washington Janitors of Tomorrow (1991) Integrity, Technology & Service (1992) One Inch Masters (1994) The Inhuman Ordeal of Special Agent Gas Huffer (1996) Just Beautiful Music (1998) The Rest of Us (2002) Lemonade for Vampires (2005)The Gits1986–1993Yellow Springs, Ohio Frenching The Bully (1992) Enter: The Conquering Chicken (1994) Green River1984–1988 / 2008–2009 Seattle, Washington Rehab Doll (1988) Gruntruck1989–1993 / 1996–2002 Seattle, Washington Inside Yours (1990) Push (1992) Gruntruck (2017) Gumball1990–1994 New York City, New York Special Kiss (1991) Super Tasty (1993) Revolution on Ice (1994)
H Band Years active Origin Studio albums Hammerbox1990–1994 Seattle, Washington Hammerbox (1991) Numb (1993) Hater1993–1997 / 2005 Seattle, Washington Hater (1993) The 2nd (2005) Hazel1992–1997 Portland, Oregon Toreador of Love (1993) Are You Going to Eat That (1995) Hole1989–2002 / 2010–2012 Los Angeles, California Pretty on the Inside (1991) Live Through This (1994) Celebrity Skin (1998) Nobody's Daughter (2010)Hullabaloo1986–1993 / 2013–presentCambridge, Massachusetts Beat Until Stiff (1989) Dead Serious (1990) Lubritorium (1991)
J Band Years active Origin Studio albums Jerry Cantrell Seattle, Washington Boggy Depot (1998) Degradation Trip (2002) Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 (2002)
L Band Years active Origin Studio albums L71985–2001, 2014–present Los Angeles, California L7 (1988) Smell the Magic (1990) Bricks Are Heavy (1992) Hungry for Stink (1994) The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum (1997) Slap-Happy (1999) Scatter the Rats (2019)Local H1990–PresentZion, Illinois Ham Fisted (1995) As Good As Dead (1996) Pack Up The Cats (1998) Here Comes The Zoo (2002) Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles? (2004) Twelve Angry Months (2008) Hallelujah! I'm A Bum (2012) Hey, Killer (2015) LIFERS (2020) Love Battery1989–2002, 2006, 2011–2012 Seattle, Washington Dayglo (1992) Far Gone (1993) Straight Freak Ticket (1995) Confusion Au Go Go (1999)
M Band Years active Origin Studio albums Mad Season1994–1999 Seattle, Washington Above (1995) Malfunkshun1980–88, 2006–present Bainbridge Island, Washington Return to Olympus (1995) Mark Arm Seattle, Washington Melvins1983–present Montesano, Washington Gluey Porch Treatments (1987) Ozma (1989) Bullhead (1991) Lysol (1992) Houdini (1993) Prick (1994) Stoner Witch (1994) Stag (1996) Honky (1997) The Maggot (1999) The Bootlicker (1999) The Crybaby (2000) Electroretard (2001) Hostile Ambient Takeover (2002) Pigs of the Roman Empire (w/ Lustmord) (2004) Never Breathe What You Can't See (w/ Jello Biafra) (2004) Sieg Howdy! (w/ Jello Biafra) (2005) (A) Senile Animal (2006) Nude with Boots (2008) The Bride Screamed Murder (2010) Freak Puke (2012) Everybody Loves Sausages (2013) Tres Cabrones (2013) Hold It In (2014) Three Men and a Baby (w/ Mike) (2016) Basses Loaded (2016) A Walk with Love & Death (2017) Pinkus Abortion Technician (2018) Working with God (2021) Five Legged Dog (2021) Bad Mood Rising (2022) Tarantula Heart (2024) Mother Love Bone1988–1990 Seattle, Washington Apple (1990) Mono Men1987–1998, 2006, 2013 Bellingham, Washington Stop Dragging Me Down (1990) Wrecker (1992) Mudhoney1988–present Seattle, Washington Mudhoney (1989) Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (1991) Piece of Cake (1992) My Brother the Cow (1995) Tomorrow Hit Today (1998) Since We've Become Translucent (2002) Under a Billion Suns (2006) The Lucky Ones (2008) Vanishing Point (2013) Digital Garbage (2018) Plastic Eternity (2023) My Sister's Machine1988–1994 Seattle, Washington Diva (1992) Wallflower (1993)
N Band Years active Origin Studio albums Napalm Beach1981–present Portland, Oregon Rock And Roll Hell (1984) Pugsley (1984) Teen Dream (1985) Liquid Love (1988) Moving To And Fro (1989) Fire Air And Water (1990) Thunder Lizard (1991) Curiosities (1993) In My Tree (1994) Nirvana1987–1994 Aberdeen, Washington Bleach (1989) Nevermind (1991) In Utero (1993)Nudeswirl1989–1995New Brunswick, New Jersey Nudeswirl (1989) Nudeswirl (1993) The Nymphs1985–1992 New Jersey The Nymphs (1991)
P Band Years active Origin Studio albums Paw1990–2000, 2008 Lawrence, Kansas Dragline (1993) Death to Traitors (1995) Home Is a Strange Place (2000) Pearl Jam1990–present Seattle, Washington Ten (1991) Vs. (1993) Vitalogy (1994) No Code (1996) Yield (1998) Binaural (2000) Riot Act (2002) Pearl Jam (2006) Backspacer (2009) Lightning Bolt (2013) Gigaton (2020) Dark Matter (2024) Pond1991–1998 Portland, Oregon Pond (1993) The Practice of Joy Before Death (1995) Rock Collection (1997) The Presidents of the United States of America1993–1998 / 2000–2002 / 2003–2016 Seattle, Washington The Presidents of the United States of America (1995) II (1996) Freaked Out and Small (2000) Love Everybody (2004) These Are the Good Times People (2008) Kudos to You! (2014)
S Band Years active Origin Studio albums Screaming Trees1985–2000 Ellensburg, Washington Clairvoyance (1986) Even If and Especially When (1987) Invisible Lantern (1988) Buzz Factory (1989) Uncle Anesthesia (1991) Sweet Oblivion (1992) Dust (1996) Last Words: The Final Recordings (2011) Seaweed1989–2000, 2007–present Tacoma, Washington Weak (1992) Four (1993) Spanaway (1995) Actions and Indications (1998) Skin Yard1985–1993 Seattle, Washington Skin Yard (1986) Hallowed Ground (1988) Fist Sized Chunks (1990) 1000 Smiling Knuckles (1991) Inside the Eye (1993)Skunk1986–1991Maplewood, New Jersey Last American Virgin (1989) Laid (1991) The Smashing Pumpkins1988–2000, 2006–Present Chicago, Illinois Gish (1991) Siamese Dream (1993) Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness (1995) Adore (1998) Machina/The Machines of God (2000) Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music (2000) Zeitgeist (2007) Oceania (2012) Monuments to an Elegy (2014) Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. (2018) Cyr (2020)Smile1992–2003Orange County, California Maquee (1994) Girl Crushes Boy (1998) Solomon Grundy1989–1990 Ellensburg, Washington Solomon Grundy (1990) Soundgarden1984–1997, 2010–2017, 2019 Seattle, Washington Ultramega OK (1988) Louder Than Love (1989) Badmotorfinger (1991) Superunknown (1994) Down on the Upside (1996) King Animal (2012) Splendora1995–2002 New York City, New York In the Grass (1995) Sponge1992–2000, 2001–present Detroit, Michigan Rotting Piñata (1994) Wax Ecstatic (1996) New Pop Sunday (1999) For All the Drugs in the World (2003) The Man (2005) Galore Galore (2007) Stop the Bleeding (2013) The Beer Sessions (2016) Lavatorium (2021) 1994 (2024) Stone Temple Pilots1985–2002, 2008–present San Diego, California Core (1992) Purple (1994) Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop (1996) No. 4 (1999) Shangri-La Dee Da (2001) Stone Temple Pilots (2010) Stone Temple Pilots (2018) Perdida (2020) Sweet Water1990–present Seattle, Washington Sweet Water (1992) Superfriends (1995) Suicide (1999) Clear The Tarmac (2009)
T Band Years active Origin Studio albums Tad1987–1999, 2013 Seattle, Washington God's Balls (1989) 8-Way Santa (1991) Inhaler (1993) Infrared Riding Hood (1995) Temple of the Dog1990–1992 Seattle, Washington Temple of the Dog (1991) Treepeople1988–1994 Boise, Idaho No Mouth Pipetting (1989) Time Whore (1990) Guilt Regret Embarrassment (1991) Something Vicious For Tomorrow (1992) Just Kidding (1993) Actual Re-Enactment (1994)Tripping Daisy1990–1999Dallas, Texas Bill (1992) I Am An Elastic Firecracker (1995) Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb (1998) Tripping Daisy (2000) Truly1990–1998, 2000, 2008–present Seattle, Washington Fast Stories... from Kid Coma (1995) Feeling You Up (1997) Twilight Curtains (2000)
V Band Years active Origin Studio albums Veruca Salt1992–2012 / 2013–Present Chicago, Illinois American Thighs (1994) Eight Arms To Hold You (1997) Resolver (2000) IV (2006) Ghost Notes (2015)
W Band Years active Origin Studio albums Willard1989–1992 Seattle, Washington Steel Mill (1992) Underground (2018) Wool1990–1996 Washington, D.C. based out of Los Angeles, California Budspawn (1992) Box Set (1994) Lunar Momento: Lost Rancho Session 1 (2012) Lunar Momento: Lost Rancho Session 2 (2012)
See also
Grunge