The Smashing Pumpkins
| Formed | 1988 |
| Genre | Alternative rock |
| Popular Album | Siamese Dream (1993) |
| Signature Song | Bullet with Butterfly Wings |
The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1988. The band currently consists of Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar), James Iha (guitar), Jeff Schroeder (guitar, keyboards), Jack Bates (bass), and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums).
Formed by singer/guitarist Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha, the Pumpkins first appeared on the scene with their double-platinum debut album Gish in 1991. With 1993’s Siamese Dream, the band hit their commercial and artistic stride.
The album spawned the hit singles “Cherub Rock,” “Today,” and “Disarm,” and sold over four million copies in the United States.
The Pumpkins continued their success with 1996’s Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
Nirvana
| Formed | 1987 |
| Genre | Alternative rock, Grunge |
| Popular Album | Nevermind (1991) |
| Signature Song | Smells Like Teen Spirit |
Formed in 1987, Nirvana was one of the most successful and influential alternative bands of the 1990s.
The band’s grunge sound and Kurt Cobain’s angst-filled lyrics resonated with a generation of young people who were disillusioned with the status quo.
Nirvana’s breakthrough album, “Nevermind,” was released in 1991 and quickly became a hit, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. In 1994, Cobain committed suicide, but the band’s music continued to be popular long after his death.
Pearl Jam
| Formed | 1990 |
| Genre | Alternative rock, Grunge |
| Popular Album | Yield (1998) |
| Signature Song | Black ( from album TEN, 1991 ) |
In 1990, Pearl Jam was formed in Seattle, Washington. The band was made up of Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Dave Krusen.
They released their first album, Ten, in 1991. The album was a huge success and catapulted the band to fame. Over the years, Pearl Jam has continued to release albums and tour extensively. They are considered one of the most successful bands of all time.
Oasis
| Formed | 1991 |
| Genre | Rock, Britpop |
| Popular Album | Definitely Maybe (1994) |
| Signature Song | Wonderwall (1995) |
Formed in 1991, Oasis was one of the most successful and influential alternative rock bands of the 1990s. The band’s 1995 album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
Oasis broke up in 2009 but reunited in 2014.
Soundgarden
| Formed | 1984 |
| Genre | Grunge, Alternative rock |
| Popular Album | Badmotorfinger (1991) |
| Signature Song | Black Hole Sun (Superunknown, 1994) |
Soundgarden was an alternative rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984. The band was composed of Chris Cornell (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Kim Thayil (lead guitar), Ben Shepherd (bass guitar, vocals), and Matt Cameron (drums).
Soundgarden was one of the first bands to popularize the grunge sound, and they were one of the most successful bands of the 1990s. After breaking up in 1997, Soundgarden reunited in 2010 and released their sixth studio album, King Animal, in 2012.
Radiohead
| Formed | 1985 |
| Genre | Art Rock, Alternative rock |
| Popular Album | Kid A (2000) |
| Signature Song | Creep |
Radiohead is an English rock band from Oxford, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jonny Greenwood (guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Ed O’Brien (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Greenwood (bass guitar, keyboards, other instruments), and Phil Selway (drums, percussion).
Radiohead released their debut single “Creep” in 1992. The song was initially unsuccessful but it became a worldwide hit several years later when it was re-released.
Radiohead’s popularity rose with the release of their first album Pablo Honey (1993). Their second album The Bends (1995) reached the top of the UK charts and garnered critical acclaim. Radiohead’s third album OK Computer (1997) was a critical and commercial success and has been hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Weezer
| Formed | 1985 |
| Genre | Art Rock, Alternative rock |
| Popular Album | Kid A (2000) |
| Signature Song | Creep |
Formed in 1992, Weezer is a rock band made up of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals and guitar), Patrick Wilson (drums), Brian Bell (guitar and backing vocals), and Scott Shriner (bass and backing vocals).
Weezer has released 10 studio albums, with their most recent release being 2017’s Pacific Daydream. The band is best known for songs like “Buddy Holly,” “Say It Ain’t So,” “Hash Pipe,” and “Pork and Beans.” Weezer has toured extensively throughout their career, playing shows all over the world.
Muse
| Formed | 1994 |
| Genre | Alternative rock, Space Rock |
| Popular Album | ‘Absolution’ (2003) |
| Signature Song | Hysteria |
Muse is an English rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, piano), Dom Howard (drums, percussion), and Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar, backing vocals). Muse are known for their energetic and extravagant live performances and for their eclectic mix of musical styles.
Muse has released eight studio albums: Showbiz (1999), Origin of Symmetry (2001), Absolution (2003), Black Holes and Revelations (2006), The Resistance (2009), The 2nd Law (2012), Drones (2015) and Simulation Theory (2018).
They have also released two live album, one compilation albums, one demo album, three video albums, and nineteen singles.
Blur
Blur is an English rock band that formed in London in 1988. The group consists of vocalist Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and drummer Dave Rowntree.
Blur’s debut album Leisure (1991) was met with critical acclaim and commercial success in the United Kingdom but was less successful in the United States.
Following Leisure, Blur released three studio albums in rapid succession: Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994), and The Great Escape (1995).
As a result of this experimentation, each of the albums featured a slightly different sound. After a hiatus from 1997 to 1999, during which time members pursued solo projects, Blur reunited to record their seventh studio album 13 (1999).
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Layne Staley. The band also includes drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez. Although widely associated with grunge music, the band’s sound incorporates heavy metal elements.
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, alongside bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. The band was one of the most successful music acts of the 1990s, selling over 20 million records worldwide.
Layne Staley died from a drug overdose in 2002, and the band went on hiatus for eight years. Alice in Chains reunited in 2005 with new vocalist William DuVall and released their fourth studio album, Black Gives Way to Blue, in 2009.
