The first instance when the word Grunge was used in reference to a Seattle Band was in the 1980s. Mulky-guitar bands Nivarna & Pearl Jam from Seattle were seen as the bridge between the heavy metal rock and the postpunk rock.
It was used to describe a rock music genre that was popular at that time. Grunge music was influenced by punk rock inheritors like Husker Du and heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.
The main characteristic of Grunge music was the hardcore punk, heavy metal, ‘dirty’ guitar, apathetic lyrics, and the heavy drumming.
The real breakthrough of the Grunge music came about when Seattle’s independent pop record labels such as Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, and Nirvana adopted the grunge music genre.
As a result of using a combination of guitar distortion, vocals full of anguish, and heartfelt lyrics, Nivarna band, and the Pearl Jam bands won a great audience within a short time.
The term Grunge that was originally used to air displeasure in a style of music by Mark Arm was taken positively. The ‘dirty’ guitar sound complemented the name of the music genre and was also appropriate for the band members who mostly had an unkempt appearance.
Millions of albums were released and sold within this time which was a huge boost to the grunge music. The growth of Microsoft Corporation in Seattle led to an economic boom that made record executives to consider grunge music.
The media played a huge role in spreading word about Grunge music and within a short time, the genre acquired international recognition. Some of the American stores produced Grunge clothing that included flannel shirts, underwear, combat boots, and hats.
When Kurt Cobain, who was grunge’s generational spokesman died in 1994, the music genre faded. The sales of the Grunge music went down and this demoralized the bands.
Though most of the bands faded away, the influence of the Grunge music is still felt in today’s rock music. The term Grunge that was originally used to air displeasure in a style of music by Mark Arm was taken positively.