Nirvana was a popular band in the 1990s, and it had a massive influence on the music scene. They were formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987 and are considered one of the most influential bands of the grunge era; their sound has been compared to many bands.
Here are ten bands that sound similar to Nirvana:
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1. Soundgarden
Soundgarden, an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1984. Their music mixed punk, grunge, and alternative rock. They gained mainstream success with their fourth album, Superunknown (1994), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured hits like “Spoonman” and “Black Hole Sun.” Alongside Nirvana, they led the grunge movement of the early 1990s.
2. Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam played a crucial role in the grunge movement, gaining fame in the early 1990s with their debut album, Ten (1991). The album included hits like “Alive,” “Even Flow,” and “Jeremy.”
Pearl Jam combines alternative rock, hard rock, and grunge, offering a lighter sound than many grunge bands. They’ve sold over 85 million records globally and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
3. Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl, former Nirvana drummer, started Foo Fighters in 1994. He named the band after the World War II term “foo fighter,” which described unidentified flying objects.
The band features Dave Grohl (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, drums), Nate Mendel (bass guitar), Chris Shiflett (guitar), and Taylor Hawkins (drums, percussion). Their music blends alternative rock, grunge, and hard rock. The Foo Fighters have won several awards, including four Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album.
4. Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots were an American rock band from San Diego, California, formed in 1989. Initially, their sound echoed Nirvana’s grunge style, but they evolved into a more psychedelic and alternative rock band over time.
The band’s first album, Core (1992), featuring the singles “Sex Type Thing” and “Plush,” was a massive success. They later released four more studio albums.
5. Mudhoney
Mudhoney formed in Seattle in 1988. The band’s blend of punk and grunge pioneered grunge music, though they didn’t achieve the same commercial success as some contemporaries.
6. Green River
Green River, formed in Seattle in 1984, was influential in the grunge scene. This short-lived band had a style similar to Nirvana.
Mark Arm (vocals), Steve Turner (guitar), Guy Maddison (bass), and Dan Peters (drums) formed the band. Although they didn’t achieve much commercial success, they are considered grunge pioneers. Their sound blended punk and hard rock riffs.
7. Alice In Chains
Alice in Chains made a significant impact on grunge with their second album, Dirt (1992), featuring hits like “Would?”, “Down in a Hole,” and “Rooster.” They, alongside Nirvana, gained fame in the 90s grunge movement.
Their music blends heavy metal with grunge and alternative rock. They’re known for using guitars to craft a dark, depressing sound. Alice in Chains’s distinctive vocal style features Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell’s harmonized voices.
8. Meat Puppets
The Meat Puppets, formed in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona, were an American rock band. They gained significant popularity after performing three songs with Kurt Cobain during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York in 1993.
The Meat Puppets’ sound blends punk, country, psychedelia, and rock elements. They pioneered alternative country and punk rock genres, creating a unique mix of country, punk, and psychedelic rock.
9. Silverchair
Silverchair, an Australian rock band, formed in 1992. The band gained fame the same year after winning a national contest with their demo “Tomorrow”.
Their sound resembled Nirvana, making them pioneers of Australia’s grunge movement. The band had three members: Ben Gillies on drums, Chris Joannou on bass, and Daniel Johns on vocals and guitar.
Silverchair ranks among Australia’s top bands, selling over 8 million albums. Their debut album, “Frogstomp,” included hits “Tomorrow” and “Pure Massacre.” Silverchair’s music blends alternative rock, grunge, and post-grunge.
10. Mad Season
Mad Season, formed in 1994, included members from Pearl Jam (Mike McCready), Screaming Trees (Mark Lanegan), and Alice in Chains (Layne Staley). Though short-lived, their influence on the grunge scene was notable.
The band’s sound combined hard rock and alternative rock, with Staley’s vocals as a standout. They released one album, Above, in 1995.
