In the 1990s, grunge music was a global phenomenon. And perhaps the biggest reason for that is the record label Sub Pop. Founded in a college dorm room, Sub Pop grew to become the main purveyor of grunge music in the 1980s, discovering and promoting bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden, among many others. Then the genre exploded.
We wanted to take a look at three grunge songs from the golden era of the 1990s, three tracks that were released on the Sub Pop label. Indeed, these are three Sub Pop grunge songs from the 1990s that still hit hard today.
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“Generation Genocide” by Mudhoney from ‘Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge’ (1991)
The opening track on Mudhoney’s 1991 sophomore album, Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge. The smashing, heavy track showcases the heft that Mudhoney brought to the stage and recording studio. Fronted by Mark Arm, grunge music owes a debt of gratitude to Mudhoney. Its lead vocalist helped create the sounds that would go on to become a global phenomenon. And while this tune is just a minute long, it builds to an even bigger crash that is the rest of the LP.
“Sliver” by Nirvana (Single, 1990)
Released as a single in 1990 with the B-side “Dive”, this track boasts a catchy chorus where lead vocalist Kurt Cobain asks his grandma to take him home. It’s written from the perspective of a kid who is spending time with his grandparents, and he just wants to go home (who hasn’t been there?). Released by Sub Pop before the band’s smash 1991 LP, Nevermind, this song was a bridge between Nirvana’s debut LP, Bleach, and their future success.
“Shove” by L7 from ‘Smell the Magic’ (1990)
Released in 1990 on L7’s LP, Smell the Magic, this song buzzes as if it were a beehive in the middle of Lollapalooza. Released by Sub Pop, the band’s sophomore album was engineered by “The Grungefather” himself, Jack Endino. It showcases force and rage as well as a bit of wry humor. Those were signatures of the grunge movement, and L7, despite their Los Angeles roots, were right in the middle of that Pacific Northwest zeitgeist.
Photo by Raffaella Cavalieri/Redferns
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