(English grunge)– a direction in fashion that implies the denial of generally accepted norms of appearance. It's a kind of protest against following fashion trends. The phenomenon originated in America.
Origin of style
The word "grunge" has a slang origin, in American vernacular, something unpleasant, disgusting and repulsive is called this way.
Grunge style came to the world of fashion from rock music. The birthplace of this trend was the city of Seattle, from which came such bands as Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jeam and Nirvana, they created A New Look on reality, resulting in a whole subculture and grunge denial.
"Marginal chic"
The grunge style is heterogeneous, eclectic, its task is to combine the most incompatible textures, colors, patterns, lines. All at once - this is the meaning of this style. Representatives of this trend in fashion at the same time resembled punks and. In their appearance, long tangled hair, old second-hand clothes, torn, faded T-shirts, wrinkled jackets, torn dresses and stretched sweaters, as well as ethnic details, sneakers and army boots attracted attention. These people were indifferent to how others perceive them, they themselves did not care how they look.
Grunge fans were flattered when they were accidentally confused with street bums. The youth who created this style are the children of world crises. They experienced difficult times and began to perceive society as an enemy. They wanted to destroy his foundations and his stereotypes. The grungists were most hated by luxury and classics.
They spoke:
"The style of homeless people from Harlem who dressed up for a trip to Manhattan."
Such reviews for the fashion designer sounded like a compliment. Thanks to his protest against haute couture, Marc Jacobs has become one of the leading designers in the US and Europe. Fashion magazines were filled with photos of grunge-styled models in tatters, dressed like bums under the headings of "marginal chic".
There were many fans of the grunge style among world celebrities. For example, sometimes look like homeless like Drew Barrymore (Drew Barrymore) and Mischa Barton (Mischa Barton).
Grunge is a cultural revolution, it implies not only external protest, but also a deeper meaning. Representatives of this direction stand for the freedom of the individual, the freedom of her self-expression. They want people to come first sincere feelings and spirituality, not wealth. Grunge clothing, for these people, is only needed to protect the body and comfort, you can’t take it seriously. Aesthetics cannot bring happiness to a person, grunge artists say.
This is the most provocative and daring direction of modern fashion.
How to create a grunge look?
- Choose clothes dark colors and muted shades. Bright and cheerful colors never had anything to do with grunge style. Lovers this style popular colors are black, white, grey, dark green, brown and blue.
- Grow long hair. Long and straight hair is equally popular with both men and women. Hair should look naturally unkempt but clean. Hairstyle can be decorated with braids, beads or dreadlocks.
- Buy a flannel shirt. Flannel shirts can be called the basis of grunge style for both women and men. They can be worn in different ways: buttoned, unbuttoned, tied around the waist.
- Make sure your selections match the grunge style. Jeans should look worn. Baggy jeans were the most popular. Also in the era of prosperity of the grunge style, overalls were in vogue. Sometimes the girls wore flared jeans.
- Shoes should be voluminous, heavy massive boots, Camelot or Dr. Martens are perfect. The famous Chuck Taylor sneakers from, as well as style boots, for example, berets, will fit into the grunge style.
And that this collective concept includes many different directions. One of these areas is grunge. The grunge style has become one of the most notable trends in alternative rock and has left a noticeable mark on the history of rock music. And although grunge reached its apogee in the early 1990s, it still finds its grateful listener today.
The grunge style began to take shape in the mid-1980s, and soon became recognizable due to the special sound that was formed under the influence of punk rock, hard rock, thrash and even heavy metal. Smart people There are two periods in the development of grunge. The first is from 1981, when Mark Arm, vocalist Green bands River, wrote to one of the local music magazines an article in which he first used the word grunge to define the sound of one of the teams. The second stage in the development of grunge came in the late 1980s, when a small American Seattle began its creative way four teams that would later become his epitome of grunge. The Big Four are Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. However, these bands were preceded by lesser known acts such as Green River, Skin Yard, Screaming Trees and L7. By the way, you should not think that there were only four groups in Seattle that played grunge, according to some sources, their number reached 25. All these teams experimented with sound and style, which was typical for the alternative scene of that time. Such experiments were not always successful - early representatives grunge played very heavy, non-melodic music, which was difficult for the average listener to perceive.
Then, in the late 1980s, the bands that played grunge, were doomed to an obscure existence, and the ultimate dream could be a concert in some local club. This was true until the breakthrough made by the so-called "Seattle wave" of grunge. Groups of the "big four" were more melodious, touched on topical social problems and were understandable to the listeners, despite the specific sound and characteristic vocals. So, in 1990, Alice In Chains released the album "Facelift", which received platinum status in the United States. The album sold two million copies across America, which was a real success for an alternative character team. The next breakthrough was made by Pearl Jam with the album "Ten", which was released in 1992. However, it is unlikely that any of them could compare in popularity with the Nirvana group, which released the Nevermind album in 1991. The musicians themselves hardly expected such success, which fell upon them after the release of the album. The deafening popularity of Nirvana opened grunge to the whole world.
What conquered the grunge of its listeners? IN musically the grunge style is quite simple - a simple rhythm section, rather monotonous guitar parts, guitar solos, if any, are also not distinguished by cunning. The vocals in grunge are emphatically emotional, the vocalist not only sings, but also screams, groans and whines plaintively, although there is no place for the extreme vocal techniques we are used to in grunge, the vocalist only conveys emotions and enhances the impression of the lyrics. Lyrics in grunge matter a lot. The main theme is social problems, aggression, loneliness, unhappy love, drugs, depression. This thematic focus determined the popularity of grunge among teenagers, for whom the semantic content of the songs was very close. Grunge found its expression not only in music, but also in clothes - torn jeans, sneakers, plaid shirts, jackets stretched on the elbows. This bum-style, obtained in second-hand stores, has become an alternative to everything neat, glamorous and fashionable. Emphasized disregard for the norms of decency and morality, expressed by all appearance also liked by teenagers.
By the mid-1990s, the grunge style was rapidly dying out. This was largely due to the death of Kurt Cobain, but it is not necessary to argue that grunge ended at this sad event. The albums Superunknown by Soundgarden and Vitalogy by Pearl Jam, released after Cobain's death, gained considerable success. These bands no longer had the previous success, but new releases did not go unnoticed. However, for grunge, everything has already been decided. By the end of the decade, other style-significant teams had completed their musical career. Only Pearl Jam seems to exist today, although the latest audio novelties are already far from the terry grunge that the group performed ten years ago.
Grunge bands are no longer shown on MTV, they do not have a million-strong army of fans, but the topics raised by grunge performers in their time are still relevant not only for teenagers, but also for older people. Perhaps that is why sometimes you so want to get the dusty "Nevermind" from the shelf and quietly hum the songs you have heard to the holes.
Grunge- already one name for this musical direction excites brightness and ambiguity. Despite its youth and long-term neglect by the music media, this distinctive rock direction has found its fans. And even 20 years after the release famous hits bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam or the Melvins, they break streaming and downloading records.
Grunge evolution
Staying for several years in some isolation gave the grunge style originality and individuality. Inspired by heavy metal motifs, the performers played quite heavy music with an abundance of "dirty" guitar sounds, contrasting dynamics and distorted signals. The democracy and ambiguity of this direction determined its commercial success, which reached its peak in the mid-late eighties.
The real breakthrough was the emergence Nirvana bands, and Kurt Cobain, who learned to play flamboyant punk music from the Pixies. In 1992, the album "Nevermind" even took first place in popularity, displacing Milk Jackson's record "Dangerous". However, after the death of Kurt Cobain, interest in the original grunge began to gradually fade, and by the mid-90s it had practically disappeared. Nevertheless, the direction has changed, and many modern grunge bands delight listeners with good individualized rock, but it is difficult to compare it with the brainchild of the same Melvins.
Distinctive features of post-grunge
Now post-grunge is considered more relevant, which has undergone many changes, and differs from other rock styles in such characteristics:
- since now songs are designed not only for performance at concerts, but also for radio broadcasting, the “dirty” style has acquired a soft sound, while retaining “quiet-loud” transitions and uncomplicated riffs;
- low pleasant guitar sound and lack of dissonant overtones;
- the appearance of melodic inserts and the loss of grunge "viscosity";
- the predominance of motifs with neutral and even major notes (for example, the songs “Hero” or “Trying not to love you” from the Nickelback group, which are attributed to the second wave of post-grunge);
- the third wave of this direction, which appeared in 2002, was already distinguished by a fast rhythm of playing, the use of high guitar notes and high vocals (Skillet group).
On the site portal you can download grunge, listen to Russian grunge bands
The selection will focus on the legendary "Nirvana", "Alice in Chains", "Temple of the Dog" and other grunge bands from Seattle and beyond, which so stirred up music world in the 90s.
(Total 10 photos)
1. Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder at a concert next to guitarist Mike McCready in Hollywood, California, in 1991. Pearl Jam, which consisted of Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, Jeff Ament on bass and several drummers throughout the band's existence, including Dave Abbruzzis, Matt Chamberlain, Dave Krusen and Matt Cameron, was formed in 1990 and sold 30 million albums in the US. Known for their songs "Alive," "Even Flow" and "Better Man," the band competed with Ticketmaster in 1995. The band released their seminal album "Ten" in 2009. The band members plan to re-release all of their compositions by 2011, which is the year the band will celebrate its 20th anniversary. (Neal Preston/Corbis)
2. David Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Kurt Cobain (left to right) of Nirvana prepare for an underwater shoot in North Hollywood, California on October 10, 1991. Nirvana first met in 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington. The group became famous with such songs as "Smells Like Teen Spirit", "Rape Me" and "All Apologies". Cobain, who suffered from heroin addiction, stomach ailments and personal quirks, was found dead from a gunshot wound on April 8, 1994. Grohl formed the Foo Fighters, and Novoselic played in Sweet 75 and Eyes Adrift. (Kirk Weddle/Corbis)
3. Layne Staley of Alice in Chains on stage in Seattle in 1997. The band, which included Jerry Cantrell on lead guitar, Sean Kinney on drums, and Mike Star and Mike Inez on bass, was formed in 1987 and has sold over 14 million albums in the US. Alice and Chains is known for its songs "Man in the Box," "Sea of Sorrow" and "Rooster". Staley struggled with his drug addiction for years, but died of an overdose of cocaine and heroin on April 19, 2002. In 2006, the band re-emerged with William Duvall as vocalist. (Karen Mason Blair/Corbis)
4. The Screaming Trees pose for a photograph outside the Triangle Pub in Seattle in the mid-1990s. Guitarist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bassist Van Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel formed the band in 1985 in Ellensburg, Washington. In 1990, Barrett Martin replaced Pickerel and the band released their flagship album Sweet Oblivion in 1992. A group known for songs such as "Nearly Lost You," "Dying Days" and "Dollar Bill", disbanded in 2002. (Karen Mason Blair / Corbis)
5. Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots at a concert at the Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta on October 1, 2000. The group, consisting of bassist Robert DeLeo, vocalist Dean DeLeo, and Eric Kretz on drums, first formed in 1986, but did not officially become the Stone Temple Pilots until 1992. Known for their songs "Sex Type Thing," "Creep," and "Interstate Love Song", the band achieved success rather slowly, mainly due to Weiland's addiction to drugs. The group disbanded in 2003. Wyland sang on Velvet Revolver for a while, but now it's been revealed that the Stone Temple Pilots are working on a new album for a 2010 release. (Rick Diamond/Wire Image)
6. The group Soundgarden, consisting of (from left to right) vocalist Chris Cornell, bassist Ben Shepherd (replaced Jason Everman and Hiro Yamamoto), guitarist Kim Tail and drummer Matt Cameron (replaced Scott Sundquist), was formed in 1984. The band's hits include "Black Hole Sun," "Spoonman" and "Rusty Cage". While working on the album "Down on the Upside", the band disbanded in 1997. Cornell began recording solo albums and working with Audioslave. On March 24, Thail, Cameron and Shepherd reunited with Thad Doyle as vocalist for a show at the new Crocodile Cafe. (Karen Mason Blair/Corbis)
7. Courtney Love of Hole at a concert in Sacramento, California, April 17, 1995. Made up of lead guitarist Eric Erlandson, bassist Jill Emry and drummer Caroline Rue (who was eventually replaced by Leslie Hardy and Patty Schemel), Hole was formed in 1989. Hole is known for songs such as "Doll Parts," "Celebrity Skin," and "Malibu." Love married Kurt Cobain on February 24, 1992. Six months later, the couple had a daughter, Frances Bean. Many still believe that Cobain wrote many of the songs on the Live Through This album. The group disbanded in 2002 and Love began solo career. This was followed by numerous scandals, novels, plastic surgery, liposuction - the price of the lifestyle that Courtney led. (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
8. Mudhoney was formed in 1988 with vocalist and guitarist Mark Arm, bassist Matt Lukin, drummer Dan Peters and lead guitarist Steve Turner. Most famous songs groups - "Touch Me I" m Sick, "Suck You Dry" and "Generation Spokesmodel". The group also made the Seattle record label "Sub Pop" famous. Lukin left the group in 1999 and was replaced by Guy Madison. The group continues record songs and go on tour; their latest album"The Lucky Ones" was released in May 2008. (Tibor Bozi/Corbis)
9. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell of Soundgarden at the Temple of the Dog Project at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California on October 5, 1991. Temple of the Dog originated in 1990 as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the former lead singer of Mother Love Bone and Malfunkshun, who died of a heroin overdose. The project featured guitarist Stone Gossard, bassist Jeff Ament, guitarist Mike McCready and drummer Matt Cameron. The project's songs are "Hunger Strike," "Say Hello 2 Heaven" and "Pushin Forward Back". Temple of the Dog released one self-titled album. (Marty Temme/WireImage)
grunge(English Grunge) - a stylistic direction in rock music (a variant of "new wave grunge metal"), which became one of the most notable phenomena of alternative rock in the late 1980s - mid-1990s. The birthplace of grunge was the city of Seattle (USA, Washington state), the most prominent representatives- Four Seattle bands: Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. These groups are known as the "Seattle Four".
Story
Among the forerunners of grunge are such cult bands as Black Sabbath, Stooges, and even King Crimson of 1974 - they endowed grunge with a dirty, dark, heavy guitar sound. Independent musical culture punk and hardcore have added grunge their eccentric aesthetic, ideological principles and, most importantly, the reckless emotional coloring of the performances. Dirty, furious guitar chords, sharp and at the same time viscous sound, stubbornly antediluvian riffs, hysterical vocals (with a very specific, slightly 'nasal'
Coloring), sharp changes in the dynamics of songs; some kind of unwelcome, restlessness, depressiveness in music and in texts - that's what happened distinctive features classic grungers. At the same time, grunge was piercingly, heartbreakingly lyrical and surprisingly melodic. Grunge is characterized by its own harmonic system, chant-type turns in the vocal part, in the guitar part, groaning second intonations, dissonant harmonies are not uncommon.
In the mid-1980s, grunge began as a purely local trend (its homeland is the American city of Seattle), but very soon it gained a truly global scope and mass popularity. The pioneers of this direction were Green River, The Melvins (Aberdeen - Seattle), Mudhoney, Soundgarden, L7 (Los Angeles), Babes in Toyland. They were heavier and more indigestible than the second wave that started with Nirvana's breakthrough. It was the second wave that marked the real triumph of grunge, when the Seattle Nirvana became one of the last truly cult groups in the history of rock. Nirvana was more melodic than its predecessors, and added song dynamics to the characteristics of the start-stop genre. Among the associates and followers of Nirvana, one should first of all name those who have absolutely independent creative manners Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Grunge ideas turned out to be close to Smashing Pumpkins and other bands.
A 'watershed' role in the history of grunge (and all alternative music) was played by Nirvana's Nevermind (1991), which was a wild commercial success. In the same year, Pearl Jam's debut disc, also considered one of the greatest grunge albums, soared to the top of the charts. In fact, Nirvana, and with it classic grunge, ceased to exist even before the leader's suicide. Nirvana Kurta Cobain in 1994. However, the ideas of grunge were not forgotten, developing from the mid-1990s in line with the 'radio-friendly' post-grunge. Some of the giants of style in this situation considered it an honor to cease to exist (Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins), while others continue to act, trying to find new ways of self-expression (Pearl Jam, Mudhoney).
In Europe, grunge is represented by Gelousy, Bush, etc. Among the Russian-speaking groups, it is worth mentioning Mad Dog.
