Ten Best Bands of the 90s

A few of us got together to reminisce on the 90s. Looking over all the music, from one-time hits to quality albums, it became pretty apparent that there were plenty of good 90s bands. Check the list and let us know who are your best bands from the 90s.

1. Sublime

Starting out in the LBC, Sublime's style is one that is still plain awesome to this day. Though the band suffered from the loss of lead singer Brad Nowell to heroine overdose, they still have sold 10 million albums and gave the 90s much appreciated musical goodness. Here's probably one of the best summer songs you can have (if it's not on your playlist, make it so, number 1) "Santeria", from their self-titled album from '96.


2. Nirvana
Another quality Seattle-area band, Nirvana is often credited as being a player in knocking off the popularity of 80s music and putting in a new, appreciated style for a fresh generation. Though much like Sublime, the band had a disbanding with the untimely death of their lead singer, Nirvana's music is still very influential and enjoyable.



3. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Originally formed way back in 1983, The Chili Peppers became solid players in music during the 90s. From the original line-up, vocalist Anthony Kiedis and one of the best bass players of all time, "Flea", still rock hard to this day. Here's a longer video (29 minutes) with some of their best songs. Enjoy.


4. Green Day

I can't believe these guys have been around for nearly 20 years now. Green Day is a band that has held a strong following in several styles of music, though their simple-chord punk style from the 90s is still a preferred favorite for many. It's interesting to know that somewhat like the Beatles, these guys use some classical music schemes in some of the chord progressions in their songs. "Basket Case" still may be one of the best and fun low-budget videos.

5. Korn/Rage Against The Machine

There was some debate over this one, so both just end up sharing a spot here. Rage and Korn were both quite quality, though some may correctly say that Rage rocks just a bit harder. Here's a pretty cool video by Korn (Freak On A Leash), which looking at it, seems some movie producers used as a model for some movie scenes.

6. Radiohead

Oxfordshire band Radiohead is a quality band that many, early on, didn't think would amount to much more than a one-hit wonder. Their initial release, Creep (which is good and easy to learn for those who do acoustic) continues to be a trademark favorite of many to this day. A personal favorite of mine is "Karma Police". By odd coincidence I have a girl, sporting a Hitler-hairdo, nagging me as a type this.

>7. Pearl Jam

Regarded by many to be one of the best bands of all time, Seattle-band Pearl Jam was at the core of the grunge/alternative push in the 90s. Having sold now over 30 million albums, these guys are known for their emphatic music and giving enthusiastic live performances.

8. Weezer

If you've ever sat in a late-night study session, odds are that before the night was over you were full of strong coffee, contempt for having to study about Minoans and chemical reactions as well as a good set of Weezer songs. Originally from Los Angeles, Weezer has a strong start in the early 90s with their released Blue Album (Weezer) and Pinkerton. Here's quite possibly the best video of all time, as it goes to feature a cameo by The Fonz. Here's Buddy Holly, if you haven't seen it, watch it.

9. The Smashing Pumpkins

Lead by the Lex-Luthor-look-a-like Billy Corgan, the Smashing Pumpkins were a definitive band of the 90s. With hit songs such as Tonight, Tonight, 1979, 33 and so on, their distinctive alternative style filled the airwaves and set a standard for many bands. If you listen carefully to the radio on an early Saturday morning shopping run, rumor has it you still may hear these guys on a grocery store's old Top 40 music list. A good song by them, you should surely have on upcoming summer mix cds, is 1979. Another good choice for summer-mix cds.

10. The Offspring

Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, cinco, seis. With such moving and powerful lyrics, the Offspring found great success during the 90s. Originally formed in OC, California in 1984 (yeah, I know) Offspring has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. To this day I have no clue what is with the lyrics "He's getting a tatoo yeah, he's getting ink done. He asked for a 13 but they drew a 31."

Other Good 90s Bands
Here is a long list of some other 90s bands you may have enjoyed.
Vertical Horizon, A Tribe Called Quest, Tool, Third Eye Blind, Wu-Tang Clan, Smashmouth, Sugar Ray, Goo Goo Dolls, Oasis, Dave Matthews Band, A Perfect Circle, Alice In Chains, Nine Ince Nails, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Limp Bizkit, They Might Be Giants, The NWA, Cake, Prodigy, Presidents of the United States of America, Butthole Surfers, The Counting Crows, Stone Temple Pilots, The Foo Fighters, 311, Metallica, Phish, Hootie and the Blowfish, Boyz 2 Men, Flaming Lips, Massive Attack, The Pixies, Blind Melon, Matt Good Band, John Spencer Blues Explosion, Faith No More, Vertical Horizon, SOD, REM, Ben Folds (Five), Deftones, Blur, Alanis Morisette, Beck, Blink182, Marilyn Manson, Beastie Boys, Spin Doctors, Aersosmith, Alice in Chains, Petty, Garbage, Pantera, Blind Melon, The Verve, White Zombie, The Fugees, Gin Blossoms, Gwar, Cyprus Hill, Rancid, Biohazard, Soul Asylum, Eels, Nada Surf, Cranberries, Superdrag, Collective Soul, Stabbing Westward, Silverchair, The Cranberries, Iron Maiden, U2, Jesus and Mary Chain,Toadies, The Darkness, Dream Theater, Sepultera, Primus

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