The Birth & Evolution of Grunge: On Vinyl | Talking About Records

There are only a handful of moments in music history where the entire industry was disrupted, catapulting relatively unknown bands to the top of the charts in place of world renowned pop-stars. The era of "Grunge" didn't begin with Nevermind, it culminated with it. And for those that lived it, music would never sound the same again. On this episode of Talking About Records we take a nostalgic trip through the history of a genre/scene that changed the world.
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[@hitonesrecordstore]

One of the few guys who has a KZbin music / vinyl record channel that matters!

[@NTXVinyl]

Well shit man. Thank you 👊🏻

[@rolandramirez5808]

Very informative. I was fortunate enough to see most of the bands mentioned live.

[@elduderino4579]

Great video! The grunge movement will alsways have my heart. I listen to many genres and styles of music but that early 90s scene is just ingrained in me. I was just 8 years old when grunge blew up in 91 and it was around the time I started actually paying attention to music. It was all over the tv and the radio stations. It was my main introduction into music and still have nothing but respect and love for it today. I actually just saw L7 live a couple of weeks ago and they still sound amazing!

[@NTXVinyl]

Love it!

[@davidgallistel2083]

I just saw Mudhoney in Milwaukee in October. They sound as good now as they ever have. One of my all time favorites. Never get the credit they deserve.

[@NTXVinyl]

I missed them when they just came through Dallas! Was bummed. So awesome they are still at it.

[@PieterKleij]

I would add Mark Lanegan's book to that list. Cold, sober, nothing hold back.

[@NTXVinyl]

On my list to read!

[@MikeD0414]

Great video! Great journey the genre. It was a movement long before it was a "thing". Great bands, great songs, great story. Nicely done!

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks so much! It was a fun one

[@jasonarsenault3791]

This was great. No one could do it better. Well told GI.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks man!

[@duanegrantham266]

Great presentation!

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

Hey G.I. Im maybe 2 or 3 years younger than you. This music was something that our generation immediately grabbed onto because it was something new. All the pop and metal/rock was a hangover from the 80s. Hearing that opening riff from "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and pairing that with the video on MTV caused an explosion of this scene, which as you stated had already passed in Seattle where it started. Great video and yes there were a ton of bands that no one really knew of that contributed to the music.

[@NTXVinyl]

Absolutely!

[@johnthompson7611]

Thanks I love this rundown of how this genre and music I love developed. I appreciate the time you have put in to this video. Obviously your planning and editing was a lot longer than the play time. You paid homage to each artist with great respect and you put each artists contribution into context. Okay as you say you only really got into the scene as a youngster halfway through. But you have done a great job in encapsulating this era with great respect. I can tell you sincerely love this genre. You have researched and loved the records. A really good video, and a great walk back in time for me to put things back into chronological perspective. Well done

[@NTXVinyl]

Thank you so much for the comment. You made my day. Love this era of music as well. It’s sculpted my life.

[@jenmiller7192]

"Family Tree" perfect analogy for the Era... I really enjoy your videos, I was 12 when it happened and like you, life changing! ♥️ 🤘

[@NTXVinyl]

Love that!

[@vergevinyl]

Great video GI really put things in perspective for me seeing it in chronological order and how it evolved !

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@dombrown-tz3zu]

Superb. Enjoyed that 👍

[@NTXVinyl]

Awesome ty!

[@samd1569]

Great video mate. I would add 4 more bands to your collection. L7, TAD, Babes In Toyland & Gruntruck. I was 17 in 1990. Music was amazing. How lucky were we? Cheers from Australia

[@NTXVinyl]

Very lucky! And yes…still plenty on my “want list”. Cheers!

[@djmrjoel]

There were two skate/record stores that were super important to the scene. First was Bombshelter Records run by Russ and Bruce around 1983-85. Bombshelter also released the U-Men tape, I think? Bruce started Sub Pop around this time, while Russ opened Fallout Records a few blocks away from the original mezzanine location. This shop is about 99% responsible for all the local sales. Mark Arm basically lived at the magazine rack lol. The speed and scope of what happened next was truly remarkable. Lucky to have a good clutch of these from my “youth”.

[@NTXVinyl]

Very cool!

[@feelyvision]

Great video.. obviously a labour of love...and I'm sure you'd have liked to include more! An honourable mention must go to L7 and connected but not entirely grunge Urge Overkill and Afghan Whigs whose records I still spin to this day.

[@kenjenkins922]

This would make a great documentary! Or does that exist already? Thanks for this! I was 18 in ‘90

[@NTXVinyl]

There are certainly some great documentaries on this scene. Not sure if there is an all encompassing film though. Check out HYPE and PJ20 for starters

[@kenjenkins922]

I’ll check those out! Thanks

[@benjaminandrews8148]

One of my favorite genres some of my favorites include nirvana bleach Alice In Chains dirt sound garden louder than love and Pearl Jam ten however I do love some of the underground grunge albums that don’t get enough credit such as mod honey super fuzz big muff and screaming trees uncle anesthesia

[@PieterKleij]

I recently re-watched Hype, great docu about the music. I remember we had to import Nevermind from the States because the record company here wasn't that ready for it. First 5, next week 10 and so on. Think we sold a few hunderd before it was largely available in Holland. Great video again !

[@NTXVinyl]

I love Hype! Watched it not too long ago myself.

[@djmrjoel]

The opposite of Bleach, when we in the US had to import the CD on Tupelo.

[@ummagumma7826]

The holiday season is a good time to gauge what is going on with the industry, you would know more than me, seems like there are some deeper than usual winter sales going on ex. Blue Note - is there a glut of inventory now that more factories have opened up?

[@NTXVinyl]

100%

[@SteveRu55in]

A+ presentation. I wonder where Tool fits in with the grunge era. Maybe they are a tad too metal. The early 90s were such a great time with great classic rock from the 70s, gangster rap, and industrial music keeping us rocking 24/7. I'd like to see a punk rock and metal discussion, show us some of the rare finds for some post-punk and indie bands.

[@NTXVinyl]

thanks so much! Punk and metal would be awesome, although I'm not sure I'm the guy for those

[@ummagumma7826]

Funny, that Vitalogy album could be where the vinyl revolution could be traced back to. "Spin the Black Circle" and the album packaging had vinyl written all over it. Took awhile after to pick up steam. No one was thinking to spin the black circle in 94

[@NTXVinyl]

I was! Bought it the day it came out, several weeks before the CD 🤣

[@ummagumma7826]

@@NTXVinyl that’s awesome. But don’t you think most people were like oh yeah I forgot about vinyl

[@marvin_pumpt]

I feel like MLB is what you get when Aerosmith and Jane’s Addiction collide.

[@NTXVinyl]

Throw in some Bowie and sounds about right!

[@ummagumma7826]

Where does Mark Arm stand in music history? He gets absolutely no love when discussing the great singers of his era. Personally I can't stand his vocals. Nothing musical to his voice but I can be swayed by someone who thinks he is one of the great vocalists

[@NTXVinyl]

Mudhoney is a very well respected pioneer of this scene. But I dont think anyone attributes that to Mark’s vocals. They are simply raw. A bit of an acquired taste. But somehow a perfect fit for the songs they write.

[@ummagumma7826]

@@NTXVinyl admittedly you are more hardcore and knowledgeable when it comes to grunge. I know of all the bands you mention but rarely listen to them. Today was first time hearing Melvins Houdini. Mudhoney I only gave occasional listens

[@lennon1482]

I don't think american rock has ever recovered from grunge,it's dark shadow of introspection and inner struggles tainted american rock bands for years after ie korn puddle of mud etc it was the beginning of the end it's not somethng that should be celebrated

[@NTXVinyl]

You’re right, we would have been better off if hair metal stuck around another 10 years 🙄

[@alex509ful]

I disagree 🎉🎉🎉

[@elduderino4579]

@@NTXVinyl🤣🤣🤣👍