Top 10 90s Bands You Forgot Were AWESOME

#10: Rancid

Their tastes and name might suggest something past its prime, but Rancid kept old-school punk rock fresh in the ‘90s. Coming from working-class suburbs outside of Berkley, California, they had their fingers on the pulse of urban plight and greater sociopolitical issues. Then they lifted that pulse by bridging the gap between hardcore and reggae-infused ska punk. The streetwise hooks were in the right place at the right time, but Rancid grew more cult over time. Their loyal lineup, led by the towering Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, have also found other projects. Still, Rancid represented the modernization of the punk underground, and have in no way grown stale in the new millennium.

#9: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Although they hailed from the New York noise rock scene, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion didn’t really push boundaries in avant-garde excess. Rather, they broke the boundaries between modern alternative and its deepest rock ‘n’ roll roots. What came out of that was a wild blend of bluesy garage punk and surreal production experiments. The sound is indeed explosive, but the three piece kept things tight behind the intense showmanship of the namesake vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. JSBX were relentlessly innovative, but their already limited audience declined with their output going into the 2000s. Though they formally dissolved in 2016, Jon Spencer remains a prolific visionary, and his Blues Explosion a classic in their own right.

#8: Grant Lee Buffalo

The ‘90s represented a golden age of alternative country that was muted by alternative rock. L.A.’s Grant Lee Buffalo brought these two worlds together not just thrillingly, but beautifully. Singer-songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips has the vivid storytelling skills and serene vocals for the perfect ballad. But his dramatic guitarwork and the dynamic rhythm of Paul Kimble and Joey Peters are a sonic thunderstorm. This unique Americana, developed from the trio’s ‘80s rock brand Shiva Burlesque, enchanted alt-rockers and traditionalists alike. Unfortunately, wider appeal was limited. The band broke up in 1999, with Phillips leading a successful solo career into a five-year reunion starting in 2010. Whatever their niche, the poetry and the power of Grant Lee Buffalo are still captivating.

#7: Sponge

The killer anthem “Plowed” is considered an early hit in the post-grunge genre. Of course, Sponge delivered many heavier classics after this breakout on debut album “Rotting Piñata.” The Detroit alt-rockers are the perfect blend of grungy, angsty hooks and brighter mainstream energy, led by Vinnie Dombroski’s unmistakably brash yet soulful voice. It was college rock incarnate, but Sponge kept soaking up fans well after the ‘90s. Though the commercial and even critical status hasn’t quite followed suit, the band has been dedicated to maintaining their classic sound. Sponge is still powering through the unfair allegations that they’re a one-hit wonder, when the reality is a treasure trove of nostalgic and timeless gems.

#6: Hum

Whoever thinks shoegaze is too lowkey obviously hasn’t heard Hum. Of course, the Illinois noisemakers used such fuzzy ambiance mostly to advance their cosmically intense alternative hooks. Rock, metal and even early post-hardcore came together in feedback- and distortion-heavy jams that somehow worked. It certainly resonated enough with audiences to land a deal with RCA Records, and influence legendary groups like Deftones. And yet, Hum never quite reached that frequency with the charts. The group broke up in 2000, then staged several one-off or long-term reunions. Finally, they permanently reformed in 2015, and released “Inlet” in 2020 to universal acclaim. Hum still has it, but no-one has been able to replicate their sound since their cult heyday.

#5: Soul Asylum

They were the alt-rockers’ alt-rockers, especially as they were there at the beginning of the genre’s boom. After four obscure albums in the ‘80s, Soul Asylum busted out of Minneapolis to become one of the premier bands of the ‘90s mainstream. They had two multi-platinum records, won a Grammy, and even performed for Bill Clinton’s first presidential inauguration. So how is it that fans consider them underrated? Soul Asylum’s ever-evolving sound meant distancing themselves from the grunge movement, thus sacrificing their status among the biggest bands of the decade. But they never slowed down, and still deliver new material praised for its infectious songwriting and eclectic style. Whether the rock historians agree, Soul Asylum deserves more credit than ever.

#4: Letters to Cleo

Their breakout single “Here & Now” is anything but lost in the past. And for true ‘90s rock enthusiasts, Letters to Cleo is anything but a one-hit wonder. The Boston outfit went particularly bold for their era by, in fact, dialing back the boldness. But the catchy pop elements to their alternative and grunge by no means compromised the confrontational wit. Kay Hanley’s captivating vocal range and stage presence sure didn’t hurt. Letters to Cleo were highly respected in their community, but pigeonholed into teen media. They thus disbanded in 2000 to find success with other projects. Finally, after some brief reunions, Letters to Cleo started recording new material in 2016. They’re still going strong, but the classics are here to stay.

#3: The Jesus Lizard

A lot of genres just don’t naturally blend. Well, that was precisely The Jesus Lizard’s idea, with the musical prowess to pull it off. These leaders of Texas’s noise rock scene threw jazz, rockabilly, funk, and the whole kitchen sink into their frantic hardcore punk. What this catchy cacophony lacked in commercial appeal was more than made up by praise and impact. Some of the defining musicians of the ‘90s cite the group as a major influence. Ironically, they would be overshadowed by more popular disciples, leading to their breakup after Capitol Records dropped them in 1999. The fact is that The Jesus Lizard never compromised their exhilarating vision, and have continued to earn underground acclaim since their reunion in 2017.

#2: Blind Melon

Any debate about whether the ‘90s was the new ‘60s has to keep an eye on Blind Melon. The Angelenos revived the classic California approach of vivid songwriting and psychedelia to distinguish their snappy alt-rock. From cool, folksy jams to fiery bangers, Rogers Stevens’s creative guitarwork and Shannon Hoon’s golden voice always delivered. Sadly, the bombastic frontman’s struggles with substance use disorder led to a fatal overdose in 1995. Blind Melon disbanded almost four years later, having received four Grammy nominations and quadruple-platinum certification. Though many found their style outdated at the time, they’ve come to be recognized as one of the unsung heroes of ‘90s alternative. Granted, fans have been singing along long before and ever since Blind Melon’s reunion in 2006.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Luscious Jackson

An All-Female Alt-Rock Group Were Early Developers of Alternative Hip-Hop

Majesty Crush

The Detroit Four-Piece Imported UK Shoegaze with an Indie-Alternative Twist

The Refreshments

Rose on Cult Pop Alternative & Ended on a Roots Rock Album

Ugly Kid Joe

The Multi-Platinum Funk Metalheads May Not Sound Pretty, But They Still Turn Heads

Veruca Salt

A Few Hits Barely Convey Nina Gordon and Louise Post’s Status in Chicago Grunge

#1: Screaming Trees

Coming from Ellensburg, Washington, Screaming Trees appear to literally be on the outskirts of the Seattle grunge scene. In fact, they were pioneers in the region’s distinct fusion of alternative rock and punk. Uniquely ethereal baritone Mark Lanegan and company took that style even further with psychedelic, anthemic songwriting. By the time the ‘90s rolled around, their renowned sound had evolved beyond the trends taking over the rock world. Screaming Trees ended with the decade, before Lanegan joined former rhythm guitarist Josh Homme in the spotlight with Queens of the Stone Age. That's just one of the many iconic bands planted by ‘90s hidden gems that will quietly be remembered for generations to come.

What are some of your favorite forgotten ‘90s groups? Jam in the comments below.