Jacob Lewis
Ye Olde GM
@payn That was an interesting write up, btw. It definitely gave me a different perspective through someone else's point of view, and I learned a few things. I wasn't sure what you considered "glam rock", but now I have a better idea. I appreciate that!
I had never considered any of the grunge bands as hair metal. Perhaps you and I have different ideas of what a "hair band" is. Maybe they started out as one before making their first record. I don't know. I wasn't there. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. My exposure is about as limited as everyone else's (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). But the conversation here did inspire me to do some research to help me get a better perspective. So here's my own take:
Hair (metal) bands were known for big hair, makeup, costumes, etc. as much as their of high-spirited, super-machismo songs and ballads. Grunge was a statement of defiance; a direct response to the commercialized (and sometimes embarrassing) public representation of what rock and metal was at the time. They refused to be lumped in with that category, or expected to dress up and look the part. I don't blame them.
The term "grunge" itself is synonymous with "dirt". This is how most Seattle bands would see their unwashed and unkempt style of dress, as well as their hard and edgy sound. The idea gained traction as more local bands were separating themselves from the endless wave of pretty boys hair bands and their clean-cut, made-for-radio, commercial music. They fused rock and punk, taking their cues from early innovators like Black Sabbath, Steppenwolf, and Led Zeppelin. And their songs spoke about the political and social problems of the day, often with a dark and introspective tone even when being humorous.
Regarding hair metal, I wasn't a big fan at the time. I was moving away towards harder, heavier, and faster. I was just a lonely kid with some self-esteem issues, so I (thankfully) didn't relate to songs about "doing it with the ladies". There were exceptions, of course. But I didn't have space for them in my limited budget, or in my cassette rotation. But like a lot of things as I get older, I have come to appreciate them more. They certainly filled a niche. And if you'll notice on my list, there's not a lot of "popular" or "goto" selections that others might expect. My picks could easily fill another list, whether hard rock or heavy metal. To me, they absolutely rock.
I had never considered any of the grunge bands as hair metal. Perhaps you and I have different ideas of what a "hair band" is. Maybe they started out as one before making their first record. I don't know. I wasn't there. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. My exposure is about as limited as everyone else's (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). But the conversation here did inspire me to do some research to help me get a better perspective. So here's my own take:
Hair (metal) bands were known for big hair, makeup, costumes, etc. as much as their of high-spirited, super-machismo songs and ballads. Grunge was a statement of defiance; a direct response to the commercialized (and sometimes embarrassing) public representation of what rock and metal was at the time. They refused to be lumped in with that category, or expected to dress up and look the part. I don't blame them.
The term "grunge" itself is synonymous with "dirt". This is how most Seattle bands would see their unwashed and unkempt style of dress, as well as their hard and edgy sound. The idea gained traction as more local bands were separating themselves from the endless wave of pretty boys hair bands and their clean-cut, made-for-radio, commercial music. They fused rock and punk, taking their cues from early innovators like Black Sabbath, Steppenwolf, and Led Zeppelin. And their songs spoke about the political and social problems of the day, often with a dark and introspective tone even when being humorous.
Regarding hair metal, I wasn't a big fan at the time. I was moving away towards harder, heavier, and faster. I was just a lonely kid with some self-esteem issues, so I (thankfully) didn't relate to songs about "doing it with the ladies". There were exceptions, of course. But I didn't have space for them in my limited budget, or in my cassette rotation. But like a lot of things as I get older, I have come to appreciate them more. They certainly filled a niche. And if you'll notice on my list, there's not a lot of "popular" or "goto" selections that others might expect. My picks could easily fill another list, whether hard rock or heavy metal. To me, they absolutely rock.
