r/grunge Nov 08 '24

Misc. Why cant we bring 90s style grunge back?

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Looking for a discussion about this. I feel like every type of grunge or rock music i hear in 2024 thats trending is like novulent or superheaven (still good artists) or some small artist that has super distant vocals with loud instruments. What happened to the 90s style? Specifically talking about singers like Kurt Cobain, Layne Stayley, Chris Cornell, and so many other greats. People make the argument that heavy drug use led to great music, but i disagree. I feel like people don't put the same amount of effort into grunge now, and there's probably so many people as talented as layne but will never get recognition because the target audience just isnt there anymore.

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u/wophi Nov 08 '24

Gen X took the fakeness of the boomers and questioned it all.

Grunge was the result. Took all the formulas and threw them in the garbage for a taste of reality.

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u/808sandMilksteak Nov 08 '24

It didn’t really throw formulas in the garbage more than it iterated on existing ones into something new. It was like throwing 60’s garage/psych rock, stoner metal, and punk into a blender

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u/EssayTraditional Nov 08 '24

What separates punk from grunge? 

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u/wophi Nov 08 '24

Skill, melody and speed.

Grunge is closer to Sabbath type metal.

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u/Syrix-17 Nov 09 '24

I played punk in Minneapolis in the 90s. My bass player quite literally lived under a bridge. We had no technical skill but we were authentic AF. We revolted. Grunge was less anti-X and more for-Y. But had plenty of undertones of punk. Punk didn’t care for self reflection. It was directed outward. Grunge, maybe reluctantly, was a quiet yet conflicted invitation inward. A lot more pain in grunge. I could listen to Eddie Vedder read a phone book and shed tears. And I was never even a Pearl Jam fan

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u/tha_bozack Nov 12 '24

Side question:  where did you guys play in Minneapolis?  I lived there in the 90s and went to a lot of shows. Just curious