Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GRUNGE TOP FIVE PLAYLIST
»
Sup
), MudhoneyReleased in 1988; the catchy debut
single 'Touch Me I'm Sick' became an instant classic.
»
NNevermiind((Geffffen), Nir
Superfuuzz z Biigmuuff((Sub P
Sub Pop), Mudh
), NirvanaGrunge anthem 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' became,
and remains, one of the most analyzed singles in the history of rock.
»
Ten((Epiic), P
rl JamThe first studio album by one of rock's biggest groups
took a while to peak but contained three hit singles.
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Baddmotorfiinger((A&M), So
), Pearl J
A&M), SouunddgarrddenThe hair-metal side of grunge.
»
Facelif
e in ChaiinsFirst offering from legendary grunge-metal
band with the hidden harmonies.
elift((Columb
olumbiia), Alic
), Alice in Ch
Indie Music Since the 1990s
These days, one of the surest ways to annoy a Seattle hipster is to ask them where the
local grunge bands are playing. Seattle has moved on from the '90s and so has its mu-
sic. The alternative scene dissipated slightly in the mid-'90s, moving south to Olympia,
which embraced feminist punk movement Riot Grrrl, with bands like Bikini Kill and
Bratmobile, and north to Bellingham, home of the Posies and Death Cab for Cutie.
Post-2000, electronica band the Postal Service gained fresh success for the Sub Pop la-
bel, and the advent of KEXP radio gave alternative music a fresh shot of adrenaline.
Today, Seattle still produces some interesting musical talent and remains an excellent
place to catch up-and-coming live indie acts. Classic surviving 1990s-era venues have
been complemented by a revolving stable of newer competition, many of which have
widened their repertoire to include hip-hop, electronica or alternative country.
Hip-Hop
Seattle's hip-hop pioneer was Sir Mix-a-Lot (real name Anthony Ray), whose break-
through song 'Posse on Broadway,' released in 1987, describes the intimate geography
of Capitol Hill and the CD. The rapper went on to have a massive number one hit with
'Baby Got Back' in 1992.
In recent years hip-hop has successfully infiltrated the indie-rock universe and begun
to have serious impact. This is partly thanks to influential radio station KEXP, which
adds local hip-hop artists into the mix at all hours. But it's mostly due to the fact that
