Building A Revolution Based On Flannel

The Grunge movement of the 1990’s has the imprints of isolationism, disenfranchisement, cries for help, and the idea that change is possible. While the 1990’s were depicted in mainstream media as young people not caring about the state of the world, it was much more than that. Some of the revolutionary movements seen today, can be directly attributed to stands taken by young people in the 90’s. Things like sexual acceptance, cries for mental health awareness and women’s rights were all topics addressed by Generation X long before there was the social emphasis of now, and the music was the catalyst that launched a thousand movements.  

The style that is Grunge, emerged on the scene in the late 1980’s but truly exploded during the 1990’s. The music of that era should be credited with sparking cultural and social revolutions felt worldwide. Though the music was primarily thought of as the “Seattle Sound” due to the success of bands hailing from the Pacific Northwest, its social undertones sparked bands from all over the nation. It can be characterized by raw, distorted guitar sounds, angsty lyrics and undertones of Punk Rock & Heavy Metal. 

Shift Of Culture 

The music coming out of Seattle at the time challenged the polished and glamorous image of mainstream rock that came out of the New Wave and Glam Metal scenes. Bands like Mudhoney, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains brought raw, authentic sounds to life that resonated with disillusioned young adults and teens. The Grunge movement found young people abandoning the excesses they saw the previous decade to promote a more stripped down, honest approach to their lifestyles, music, and art.  

Taking On The Establishment 

Taking note from their Punk Rock predecessors, Grunge music conveyed themes of isolation, the disillusion with societal norms/expectations, and the mistrust of institutions of government. These ideas quickly resonated with the anti-establishment attitude adopted by young people who were facing full economic uncertainty who were left alone to question the traditional values of modern America. While the movement ditched the flashy fashion influences of the 1980’s for understated thrift store finds, their choice in fashion mirrored the music’s deep-rooted authenticity and the rejection of all thing's material. 

Fostering Inclusivity And Embracing Diversity 

Grunge music often embraced more inclusivity than other cultural movements and music scenes in the past. It opened the door for a more diverse voice within the listeners and gave perspective to a new and thriving rock genre. Along the way the movement promoted a sense of community amongst fans and listeners. While the music reached across social and economic divides with its themes of depression, mental health questions and struggles with substance abuse, it brought issues to the forefront. With artists sharing personal struggles, it helped to destigmatize mental health needs and encouraged conversations about topics once thought too taboo, like suicide, sexuality, and addiction.  

Doing It On Their Own 

Like their Punk predecessors, the music is littered with a DIY ethic and community. Bands helping other bands, and peers celebrating each other's successes. Many of the Seattle bands had humble beginnings and show after show they proved their staying power and were rewarded with record contracts from small independent labels. Inspiring future generations of musicians to take control of their own careers and creative output. Many of today’s artists take direct inspiration from Grunge musicians nowadays by starting their own record labels and releasing independent music. You don’t have to look any further than Spotify to see artists releasing music even without the support of a record company.  

Legacy 

Grunge’s influence is beyond music, it was a cultural phenomenon. The music of the 90’s continues to leave a lasting impression on musical genres and continues to inspire a new generation. The cultural and social changes of the time created the path not only to a new open-minded means of making music, but paved the way for necessary discussions about race, sexuality, and social norms. It’s not just about a sonic revolution or flannel shirts. Grunge for its short-lived revolution had meaningful impact on the world and the 20th century.