Grunge in London

by Katharine Conroy

Grunge in London

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Abstract

For my project, doing a comparison of American and London grunge music, whose time periods ran almost simultaneous to each other. During the grunge era, cultural and societal issues were often incorporated into the music, which affected the sound and lyrics. 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.

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 Sound Garden, 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.

Who, what, where, when, why, how of grunge music in American and London

Where and when did this grunge music start?

early grunge band:Radiohead Bush ( main band involved) started in London, England Abingdon, Oxfordshire late 1980's to early 2000's 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

Different famous Grunge bands

May have to expand the topic to alternative and post grunge bands also. look at the different bands and their background

American

Nirvana Stone Temple Pilots

London

Bush Radiohead

Section 2: Deliverable

Kat's Grunge Mixtape

my mixtape = fire

Additional Image

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Gallery

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Conclusion

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References

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Attribution of Work

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External Links

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Image Gallery

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