Grunge in London

by Katharine Conroy

Grunge in London

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Abstract

For this milestone, I will be doing a comparison of American and London grunge music, whose time periods ran almost simultaneous to each other. I will be delving into what grunge music is and the cultural and societal issues were often incorporated into the music. These issues were used as inspiration to the artists and were often incorporated in the sound and lyrics of these sings .
This project is very special to me due to the fact that the music has been a great part of my life since I was a child playing violin. So this project incorporates my propensity to music or more specifically grunge music allows me to explain this misunderstood and often confusing genre of music

Introduction

This project is meant to be used as an introduction to the misunderstood genre of music of Grunge, which dominated the music scene during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. It will produce a sort of guide to listening to Grunge music along with an accompanying “mixtape” to distinguish the differences between American and London Grunge music. Then cover what others have done like it, how your project is different. Discuss the extent to which your strategy for completing this project was new to you, or an extension of previous HUA experiences.

This milestone is very much the music history of grunge music in London. very much the who, where, when, what, why, and how of the grunge music era in London

Background

Grunge music is classified as a genre of rock music that came to fruition from the late 1980’s to the early 1990’s. During this time grunge did not only appear as a genre of music, it also became a fashion trend that donned an unkempt and dirty look. Grunge music was started in Seattle, Washington and gravitated to the independent record label Sub Pop. It spread from its roots, Seattle, to many other countries and cities such as London. Sub Pop produced groups such as Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Green River, and Nirvana (before they signed with a major label. Grunge alternatively became known as the Seattle Sounds due to its origins in Seattle. Grunge was not exactly a new sound but more of a combinations of different genres of rock. Musically and attitudinally grunge was similarly related to heavy metal, punk, and alternative. Also in the mid 1980’s heavy metal split into a number of different genres such as hair metal and thrasher metal, which added to the myriad of different sounds to the music scene. Therefore grunge become a mosaic of rock, with many picking and choosing the sounds and agendas that they supported. Due to this, it’s almost impossible to give a complete and definite definition or sound to grunge because it meant different things to different people, but they all housed similar themes and attitudes.

Generally, the grunge sound contained a “dirty” (ref) and rough sound, which is probably where its name came from. This was especially notable in the beginning when much of the music produced was done on a small budget, with a lack of expertise, and a lack of professionalism. The music itself can be described a “visceral” (ref) with guitars and low bass vacillating between low and thundering. It reflected the angst and hurt that bands felt due to their betrayal by society. Many wrote in their verse and refrain form, with lyrics addressing problems such as youth suicide, rape, drug dependency and depression that society which was taboo. They used the distorted sound as a symbol of how messed up the world is, so they avoided the use of virtuoso (ref) guitar because it was used in mainstream rock. All of the music was sharp and deliberate, which was a great contrast to the music of the late 1980’s. This sharp and deliberate sound was typically created by electric guitar, drums, low bass, and vocals, but may utilize other instruments.

This movement started and ended very quickly but left many awakened to the possibilities that music has. The music began as a way to attract attention to public issues and left many with the idea that they could start a band to address an issue that they have. Grunge music became part of the mainstream and Nirvana’s album ‘‘Nevermind’’ surpassed Michael Jackson’s ‘‘Dangerous’’ at No. 1 on the Billboard. This impression on the mainstream allowed many bands like Nickelback and Creed to enter the scene due to the fact that it “was the catalyst to reconstructing the mainstream music industry to allow a greater inclusion different music genre” (ref) Grunge made a lasting impact on both society and the music industry, which will affect generations to come.

Where and when did this grunge music start?

In the United States, grunge started in the late 1980’s in Seattle, Washington and mostly revolved around the record label company Sub Pop. During that time, Sub Pop the released grunge bands such as Soundgarden and Green River, who later became known as Pearl Jam, but grunge music really began to gain recognition when they released Nirvana released their first album “Bleach””. Later on Nirvana would sign with the major label company David Geffen Company (DGC) (ref) as they gained more popularity.

Seattle became the hotspot with many migrating to the area to get a taste of this new sound. During this time, other bands started to sign with record labels interested in making money from this new Seattle sound. These bands signed with the agreement that they had “artistic” (ref) control over the music they produced and this allowed the music to stay as intended by the bands.

Grunge gained the public’s attention in 1991 during the release of Nirvana’s album “Nevermind”. This was when grunge entered the mainstream. Record companies started searching for these bands outside of the Seattle area with grunge sound and found groups like Stone Temple Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins, who gained popularity in the mainstream. Grunge became so omnipotent that it spread all across America to places such as London with Nirvana or more specifically Kurt Cobian as its spokesperson.

London became no exception to the grunge movement, with Nirvana infiltrating the mainstream. In the height of the grunge music movement in the US, came an alternative rock band from England called Radiohead. They started their music career in 1991. Their music had a sound that was similar to grunge music and because of that EMI, a major record company who produced famous group such as The Beatles and The Beach boys, signed them to their label. This became an inspiration to many other groups, such a Bush from London, England, who began in 1992 during the height of the movement. However, the movement never gained as much speed as it did in America. Interestingly, Bush’s songs gained more headway in American than in London. Much of the grunge’s popularity ended when Kurt Cobain, the principal singer of the grunge movement, committed suicide. It would have been very interesting to see where the grunge music genre would have gone if it hadn’t ended so abruptly.

look at the neighborhoods where this started and find picture of these neighborhoods during this time period

What did it represent?

cultural aspects of this music looking at the people of this time

Why was Grunge music created?

why was it so different than other music, what was said by it instrument analysis of music culture

How did Grunge Music affect the people and who did it effect?

Youth and reactions look at the effects and after effects

Section 2: Guide to appreciating Grunge music

The purpose of this guide is to allow people the opportunity to listen to and appreciate grunge music. It is difficult to have people understand grunge music when they don’t have a background to it. Therefore, it is important to have a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the song being listened to ensure comprehension of the song. So below are four selected songs by four different artists to show the diversity of grunge music, but also to point out that these songs do have many similarities and distinguishing features.

It is recommended, that for one’s full enjoyment, to read the analysis before you

Kat's deconstructed mixtape

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Artist: Nirvana
Album: Nevermind
Released: 1991
Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nevermind/id485495703
Analysis:
stuff

Glycerin

Artist: Bush
Album: Sixteen Stone
Released: 1994
Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/sixteen-stone-remastered/id925879035
Analysis:
stuff

Black Hole Sun

Artist: Soundgarden
Album: Superunknown
Released: 1994
Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/superunknown-20th-anniversary/id882051954
Analysis:
stuff

Creep

Artist: Radiohead
Album: Pablo Honey
Released: 1993
Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/creep-ep/id1112408383
Analysis:
stuff

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Conclusion

In this section, provide a summary or recap of your work, as well as potential areas of further inquiry (for yourself, future students, or other researchers).

External Links

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Image Gallery

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