20 Best Rock Bands of the 90s

The 1990s saw new, alternative forms of rock rise to the forefront such as grunge, experimental, nu-metal, rap-rock, and more. Still, at their core, all these bands have a rock foundation. Here are the 20 Best 90s rock bands.

20. Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth was formed in 1981 and was never commercially successful. Nonetheless, they pioneered experimental, noise, and art music. They had a huge influence on alternative and indie rock music and the bands of the 1990s. Finally gaining major-label support in the 1990s, they scored a British silver status for the album “Goo.”

19. Radiohead

Radiohead was formed in 1985. They advanced alternative rock with their experimental approach. Their breakout single “Creep” reached #7 in the UK and #34 in the US. Radiohead’s best-selling album was their third album, OK Computer (1997), and their follow-up Kid A (2000) was their first #1 in the US.

18. The Cranberries

The Cranberries was formed in 1989. Their 1993 debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? reached #18 in the US. The band’s first single “Dreams” (1992) reached #15 on the alternative chart. Their 1994 single “Zombie” hit #1 in the US and many other countries. Their first four albums reached platinum, and their fifth went gold.

17. System of a Down

System of a Down was formed in 1997. Their style defies definition, blending everything imaginable including Armenian music. Mostly it’s a mashup of punk, alternative, and metal. The group has won one Grammy out of four nominations. Three of their five studio albums debuted at number one. System of a Down has sold over 12 million records worldwide.

16. The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins was formed in 1988 by lead vocalist/guitarist Billy Corgan. Dubbed alternative rock, their sound incorporated a wide variety of influences. Their 1991 debut Gish was an underground success. Their third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) debuted at #1. As of 2012, The Smashing Pumpkins had sold 16.7 million albums worldwide.

15. Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails was formed by singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Trent Reznor. He’s considered a pioneer of the industrial music genre. Their second album, The Downward Spiral (1994), reached #2 on the Billboard 200. Nine Inch Nails’ music has been widely used in film soundtracks. They’ve sold over 20 million records worldwide and received 13 Grammy nominations with two wins.

14. Pantera

Pantera abandoned their hair metal roots on their fifth and first major-label album Cowboys from Hell (1990). The heavier sound paid off yielding a platinum album. The follow-up Vulgar Display of Power (1992) was even heavier and more successful reaching #44. Far Beyond Driven (1994) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Pantera has sold around 20 million records worldwide.

13. Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains was formed in 1987. They pioneered the grunge movement with Facelift (1990). Three of their six studio albums were released in the 1990s and yielded 19 top 40 singles on the mainstream rock chart, including the #1 “No Excuses.” Their self-titled third album reached #1. Alice in Chains has sold over 30 million records worldwide.

12. Soundgarden

Soundgarden was formed in 1984. They pioneered the grunge rock genre. The group found success on their third album, Badmotorfinger (#39), and skyrocketed to fame with 1994’s Superunknown, which went #1 in several countries and won two Grammys. Singer Chris Cornell went solo after 1996’s platinum Down on the Upside. Soundgarden has sold an estimated 30 million albums worldwide.

11. Foo Fighters

Former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl formed Foo Fighters in 1994 as lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist. Grohl’s songwriting yielded alternative rock with pop, radio-friendly hooks that earned the group 15 Grammy awards. During the 1990s, Foo Fighters had seven top 10 singles on the alternative rock chart including “Learn to Fly” (#1). Foo Fighters have sold more than 32 million records worldwide.

10. Weezer

Weezer was formed in 1992 and threads many of their songs with humor. Their 1994 debut Weezer (Blue Album) was critically praised and commercially successful. It yielded two hit singles, including “Buddy Holly” (#2). Their next two albums achieved platinum and the following two went gold and platinum respectively. Weezer has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.

9. Stone Temple Pilots

Initially rising with the grunge scene, Stone Temple Pilots was formed in 1989. Their four 1990s-era albums all reached platinum or multi-platinum status. From 1993 to 1995, Stone Temple Pilots scored twelve top-20 singles on the US mainstream rock chart, including six reaching #1. Stone Temple pilots have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.

8. Korn

Korn formed in 1993. They pioneered the nu-metal genre, combining elements of hip-hop and metal with detuned funk slap bass and eerie dissonant guitars. Of their 14 studio albums, 10 have gone platinum and two gold. They’ve won two Grammy awards out of eight nominations. Korn has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.

7. Creed

Creed was formed in 1994. Considered post-grunge, the group had a detuned heavy style that combined meaningful lyrics and soulful melodies. During the 90s, they scored 5 top three singles on the mainstream rock charts, with two hitting #1. Similar chart success continued into the 2000s. Creed sold over 53 million albums worldwide.

6. Rage Against the Machine

Formed in 1991, Rage Against the Machine (RATM) pioneered the rap rock genre. Guitarist Tom Morello innovated a soloing style that leaned more towards sound effects than notes. RATM received seven Grammy nominations and won twice. As of 2010, RATM had sold over 60 million records worldwide. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

5. Oasis

Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher formed Oasis in 1991. Each of Oasis’s seven studio albums reach #1 in the UK. Their highest charting albums in the US were 1995’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (#4) and 1997’s Be Here Now (#2). Oasis has sold over 75 million records worldwide making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

4. Green Day

Formed in 1987, Green Day injected pop sensibilities into punk rock to revive the genre to mainstream success. Their third album and first major-label release Dookie (1994), yielded three #1 singles on the alternative charts. The album has sold 20 million copies worldwide. Overall, Green Day has sold roughly 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists.

3. Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam pioneered the Seattle grunge scene and has outsold and outlasted most. They’re considered one of the most influential and popular bands of the 1990s. Their 1991 debut album Ten stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for nearly 5 years. Pearl Jam is one of the best-selling bands of all time having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Formed in 1982, the Red Hot Chili Peppers saw their biggest success during the 1990s. Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) reached #3 on the charts and yielded the #2 single “Under the Bridge.” They broke the top ten again in 1999 with “Scar Tissue” (#9). Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold over 120 million records worldwide placing them among the best-selling artists in history.

1. Nirvana

Formed in 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington, Nirvana spearheaded the grunge movement with their alternative rock. Their second album Nevermind, (1991) pushed Michael Jackson out of the #1 spot and has sold 30 million copies to date. Their second album, In Utero (1993), (1993) has sold 15 million copies. The death of lead singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain ended Nirvana’s short career.