Spec's of Culture : April 2023

For this blog I wanted to interview my dad because I feel like he's had a very significant role in the music I grew up listening to. He's the reason I listen to so much 80's and 90's rock music. I honestly really expected him to say more with how much he tells me facts about the music we listen to together, I guess he just got camera shy.

Q: What's your favorite type of music?

Dad: "I would have to say Southern Rock. Southern Rock is kind of a mixture of country, rhythm and blues, and hard rock."

Q: Who is your favorite band(s)/ artist(s)?

Dad: "Oh, I like so many different ones. I like Hard Rock like Led Zeppelin and AC-DC. I also like Chris Stapleton."

Led Zeppelin - "Stairway to Heaven"

ACDC - "Back in Black"

Chris Stapleton - "Tennessee Whisky"

Q: Do you have a favorite song? And why?

Dad: "Maybe "A Country Boy Can Survive". Because it talks more about real life things that you live through. Hank Williams Jr. sings it."

Hank Williams Jr. - "A Country Boy Can Survive"

Q: How did you listen to music (technology) when you were a kid?

Dad: "8 tracks and cassette tapes. Had one of those tape recorders, you could only press play. Or you know, the old fashion boomboxes."

Q: What's your least favorite type of music? And why?

Dad: "Rap. I just don't think its very good. I mean it's like they make music off of other people's music and just add lyrics"

Q: Have you been to any live concerts? Who was it?

Dad: "Yes, so many I couldn't tell you. You could probably name one and I've seen it. I've seen AC-DC to George Strait. I mean I've seen all kinds."

ACDC - "Thunder Struck"

George Strait - "Amarillo by Morning"

Q: Are there any concerts you wish you could have gone to?

Dad: "I wish I could have gone to see Stevie Ray Van, I would have loved to see him before he died. And now I'd like to see Chris Stapleton but it's so expensive to go now. That's one of the biggest things, when I went to concerts they used to be really cheap."

Stevie Ray Van - "Texas Flood"

Chris Stapleton - "You Should Probably Leave"

Q: Do you like my music? Why or why not?

Dad: "Well yeah, cause it's the same music I like for the most part. The other ones I can listen to as well, just not rap music."

Q: What is music for?

Dad: "Well its entertaining, it affects your mood, puts you in a good mood."

Q: What kind of music did you have at your wedding?

Dad: "Actually me and your mom danced to "Have I Told You Lately" by Rod Stewart. So that's kind of easy listening rock I guess. Played stuff like Eric Clapton "Wonderful Tonight", whatever the DJ played, dance music you know?"

Rod Stewart - "Have I Told You Lately"

Eric Clapton - "Wonderful Tonight"

Q: What did your parents think of the music you listened to?

Dad: "Actually we kind of listened to the same thing. Your Grandpa liked the Beach Boys and stuff like that, rock and roll."

The Beach Boys - "Good Vibrations"

Q: Was there any style or genre that was off limits when you were a kid?

Dad: "Oh yea the explicit rap songs. My age was when they started putting the labels where you had to be a specific age. It was mostly rap songs."

Q: What sort of music was popular when you were growing up? Did you listen to that kind of music, or something main stream?

Dad: "Probably 80's rock, glam rock, big hair rock. I listened to that sort of music, yeah."

Guns and Roses - "Welcome To The Jungle"

Motley Crew - "Dr. Feelgood"

RATT - "Round and Round"

Q: What do you thing about the music kids listen to today?

Dad: "I don't think there's any good music they listen to other than a few. Like I said, I like Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, but they're more country. I think there's starting to be more southern rock bands, there's just not many new rock bands I like."

Chris Stapleton - "Fire Away"

Tyler Childers - "White House Road"

Overview

Grunge music, also referred to as the Seattle sound, emerged during the mid 1980’s in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington. Grunge is an alternative rock genre and subculture that fuses elements of heavy metal and punk rock, however without the speed and structure of punk music. Grunge music typically includes vocal, electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums, and also incorporates influences from indie rock bands. The lyrical aspects of grunge music are often associated with themes such as abuse, social alienation, social and emotional isolation, addiction, and a desire for freedom.

Grunge music became commercially more successful in the early to-to-mid-90’s due to a multitude of album releases such as “Nevermind” by Nirvana, “Ten” by Pearl Jam, “Superunknown” by Soundgarden, and many more. Grunge became the most popular subculture of rock music during this time.

Grunge began to decline in prominence during later years during the mid-to-late-90’s, many bands either became less visible or broke up all together. Even through this conflict, the genre influenced modern rock music, with lyrics consisting of social issues within pop culture and the exploration of being true to oneself.

Origin of term

The word “Grunge” is defined as “dirty” as well as “something that is repugnant”, the main reason for this being the use of gritty vocals. The lyrics of grunge music are typically on the side of more angry, angst-filled, and fearsome. The word “grunge” has been used to describe bands since the 1960’s, however this will be the first time the word is associated with the “sluggy sound” and “gritty vocals” of Seattle. One of the thought origins of the word itself is due to the low-budget and unfamiliarity with recording.

Musical Style

Grunge music typically fuses the elements of heavy metal (specifically earlier metal bands such as Black Sabbath) and punk rock, and some bands performed with more emphasis on one genre than the other. Charles R. Cross, a Seattle music journalist, describes the word “grunge” as a distortion-filled use of loud electric-guitar feedback with a heavy bassline to support the song's melodies.

Grunge music has also been called an “ugly” aesthetic, in both style and darker lyrical topics. Many Grunge artists wanted to emphasize the “ugliness” they saw in the world and shine light on the “depths and depravity” in society.

Instruments

The Electric guitar was primarily used in an offset tune because they were very unpopular at the time enough to offer a new image opposed to the more traditionally sound electric guitar within mainstream rock bands. Grunge is characterized mainly for the distorted and fuzz-like sound created with a stomp-pedal. Many grunge guitarists avoided clear guitar solos and instead relied more on the distortion pedals and amplifiers to produce their signature sound.

The second instrument primarily used in grunge music is the bass-guitar. Some bassists tend to use layered power chords with distorted low-end density. A lot of the time within the grunge scene the bass will typically lead the song.

Popular Bands

Now that I've given a brief overview of the History and style of the grunge subgenre, let's move into some of the popular bands within the scene.

Nirvana

Nirvana is an American rock band originating from Washington, in 1987. It was founded by lead singer as well as guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. Nirvana established itself as a part of the grunge scene in 1989 when they released their first album “Bleach”. They gained mainstream success with “Smells Like Teen Spirits” which was the first single from their second album “Nevermind” created in 1991.

Nirvana is one of the best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide, and receiving an American Music Award during their three years in the mainstream act.

However in 1994, Kurt Cobain died by suicide on April 5. The lead singer struggled with drug addiction, and his body was found inside his home in Washington after what was believed to be a heroin overdose.

Mr. Moustache- Nirvana

Smells Like Teen Spirit- Nirvana

Lithium- Nirvana

Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an American rock band that originated in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band members consist of Jeff Ament (bass player) who founded the band, Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guitar), and Matt Cameron (drums), who joined in 1998.

Pearl Jam outsold many of their peers from the early 1990’s, and became one of the most influential bands of the decade, and they were announced “the most popular American rock band of the 90’s”. Pearl Jam emerged into the mainstream scene with their debut album, ten, in 1991, and has become one of the highest-selling records ever.

Even Flow- Pearl Jam

Alive- Pearl Jam

Better Man- Pearl Jam

Alice and Chains

Alice and Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, originating in 1987. It was formed by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney. The band is known for its distinct vocal style, which consisted of a lot of harmonized vocals.

The band never officially disbanded however they were plagued with inactivity beginning in 1996 due to the death of Stanley in 2002 due to substance abuse. Alice and Chains have sold over 30 million records worldwide, and even over 19 million records in the United States alone.

Nutshell- Alice in Chains