(sometimes referred to as the '''Seattle Sound''') is a subgenre of Alternative Rock that was created in the mid-1980s by bands from the American state of Washington , particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by Hardcore Punk , Heavy Metal and Indie Rock , the early grunge movement coalesced around Seattle Independent Record Label Sub Pop . Grunge fuses elements of hardcore punk and heavy metal, and is generally characterized by heavily Distorted Electric Guitar s, contrasting song Dynamics , and apathetic or angst-filled lyrics. The grunge aesthetic is stripped-down compared to other forms of rock music, and many grunge musicians were noted for their unkempt appearances and rejection of theatrics.
Grunge became commercially successful in the first half of the 1990s, due mainly to the release of Nirvana 's '' Nevermind '' and Pearl Jam 's '' Ten ''. The success of these bands boosted the popularity of alternative rock and made grunge the most popular form of hard rock music at the time.1 The genre became closely associated with Generation X in the US, since the awareness of each rose simultaneously. However, many grunge bands were uncomfortable with this popularity. Although most grunge bands had disbanded or faded from view by the late 1990s, their influence continues to impact modern rock music.
The word ''grunge'' originated as a Slang term for "dirt" or "filth". Mark Arm , the vocalist for the Seattle band Green River —and later Mudhoney —is generally credited as being the first to use the term ''grunge'' to describe the movement. Arm first used the term in 1981, when he wrote a letter under his given name Mark McLaughlin to the Seattle Zine , ''Desperate Times'', criticizing his band Mr. Epp and the Calculations as "Pure grunge! Pure noise! Pure shit!" Clark Humphrey, editor of ''Desperate Times'', cites this as the earliest use of the term to refer to a Seattle band, and mentions that Bruce Pavitt of Sub Pop popularized the term as a musical label in 1987–88, using it on several occasions to describe Green River.Humphrey, Clark. ''Loser: The Real Seattle Music Story''. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1999. ISBN 1-929069-24-3, p. 63
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Mudhoney - Touch Me I'm Sickogg
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"Touch Me I'm Sick"
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Sample of " Touch Me I'm Sick ", a single by Mudhoney The sample illustrates the song's high tempo, main guitar riff, heavy use of distortion and frenetic drumming Also heard is Mark Arm's self-deprecating and sarcastic lyrics
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