Underrated Grunge Songs That Deserve Another Listen
While grunge is a genre with plenty of popular rock songs, some of the most underrated grunge songs of all time deserve to be heard. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Chris Cuffaro
Sure, everyone knows “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Alive,” but the grunge music of the 1990s has so much more to offer than just the radio singles. The Seattle Scene was brimming with so much musical talent in the late-1980s and early-1990s, and only a tiny portion of the music that was being created back then ever got pushed into the mainstream. Just like with any musical movement, some of the best songs didn’t really get their due. To commemorate these grunge songs that went under the radar, Audio Ink Radio presents its tally of underrated grunge songs that deserve another listen.
Underrated Grunge Songs That Went Under the Radar
Mad Season, “River of Deceit”
Mad Season is a highly underrated band, in general, but it’s partly because they were only around for one album. The supergroup featured Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and bass player John Baker Saunders. “River of Deceit” arrived in 1995 as the debut single from the band’s only studio album, “Above.” The song is legendary among hardcore grunge enthusiasts, but it’s super underrated when it comes to a wider audience. While the track reached No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and was their most popular, it rarely gets played today. Dust this one off and crank it up.
Melvins, “Revolve”
Melvins are another band from the Seattle scene that was huge inside their scene but didn’t get to the popularity of bands such as Nirvana or Soundgarden. This band also started out a bit earlier than most in the Seattle grunge scene, too, with Melvins getting together in 1983. While many of Melvins song became known by grunge and metal fans, “Revolve” tends to go under the radar. Released in 1994 off “Stoner Witch,” it’s a favorite that deserves more attention. Buzz Osbourne is still making music with Melvins, and Audio Ink Radio caught up with him to talk about the band’s musical legacy.
Nirvana, “Scoff”
Nirvana certainly isn’t an underrated band, but their debut album, 1989’s “Bleach,” has some hidden gems that never got the attention they deserved. On of those songs is “Scoff,” which begins with a choppy guitar riff and doomy rhythms before launching into a raw, loose-sounding grunge anthem. While “Nevermind” broke Nirvana into the mainstream, there’s something that’s even better about the cuts off “Bleach” for those who prefer a truly organic sound. Also, considering Nirvana only released three proper studio albums before Cobain tragically passed away, that’s even more reason to go back and rediscover the beautiful grunge sounds on “Bleach.”
Tad, “Grease Box”
Tad never reached the commercial glory of other Seattle bands, but they were a significant part of the scene at the time and truly helped shape the genre. While they’re most known for 1991’s “8-Way Santa,” Tad Doyle and company also shine on their 1993 release, “Inhaler.” On the latter, “Grease Box” is a standout, with its sludgy mix of guitars and dark rhythms. Listening to “Grease Box,” one might wonder why it never got the radio play of other grunge anthems, but it did come out not long before Cobain’s death, which took a hit on the entire genre. Find Audio Ink Radio’s interview with vocalist Tad Doyle for more Tad talk.
So, dust off those lesser-known grunge songs and give them another try. Also, discover more forgotten grunge songs in another Audio Ink Radio feature.
- Underrated Grunge Songs That Deserve Another Listen - February 20, 2025
- Best One-Hit Wonders From Every Decade - February 18, 2025
- One-Hit Wonders of the ’90s That Won’t Go Away - February 15, 2025
