This Second Wave Seattle Grunge Classic Just Turned 30

We all love the Big 4 Seattle grunge bands. But what about the second wave Seattle grunge acts that came next?

I'm speaking specifically of Candlebox. Forgot about those guys, didn't you? Here's the wild thing: Candlebox formed in November of 1990. By that time, Nirvana and Soundgarden had already formed and released albums on Sub Pop. Alice In Chains had, months earlier, released their major-label debut Facelift. And while Pearl Jam wouldn't debut until the following year, Mother Love Bone released their debut in '90 as well.

So the timeline kinda-sorta lines up. But we don't talk about Candlebox in the same reverent tones that we do of the other bands I listed above. They're a Seattle band. And they're a grunge band. Hell, Dave Krusen--Pearl Jam's original drummer--even played for them. Twice! I think the issue is twofold: they didn't get signed right away, and they got signed after the big grunge explosion.

Candlebox spent the early '90s gigging out all over Seattle, building their audience and their name. The signed to Maverick Records and released their self-titled debut on July 20, 1993. By that time, grunge had spread far beyond Seattle, with grunge-influenced bands from all over the U.S. signing deals with every major label. So Candlebox got second-wave status. Because timing is everything.

The music scene of the '90s was a time when authenticity was always in question and "selling out" was always suspected. That's why a lot of bands that were signed and debut post-1991 were met with mixed reviews by critics. Candlebox was one of those bands. Like Stone Temple Pilots, they were accused of being a cheap knockoff of the Seattle grunge bands that predated them by a year or two.

Looking back now, that's pretty ridiculous. Candlebox were--and are--a solid, grunge-influenced rock band. They've moved 4 million copies of their debut album over the years! So while their dubious timing has kept them off the same pedestal as the Big 4, they shouldn't be dismissed. Go back to their debut as it turns 30 and find out for yourself. I've shared a pair of tracks below.

Twelve grunge essentials, just in time to take you through the stark, dark gloom of late November. Or for any time of year, really.

But not really. These are from the genre I like to call "dark grunge." It's a term I literally coined just now, as it popped into my head. Has someone else used that term before? Not that I'm aware of, so I'm laying claim to it. If you're reading this and have used the term before or know someone who has, come correct with the citation and I will transfer credit.

Grunge is a wide and deep subgenre of rock music. Grunge purists will tell you the label only applies to the original Seattle scene that sprouted up in the late '80s and exploded in the early '90s, but I disagree. A lot of those bands that had the grunge label slapped on their flannel shirts didn't even subscribe to it! A lot of them didn't subscribe to the concept of "genre" at all! But I do. It's a convenient way to organize my thoughts around music and my actual music collection.

For the sake of this playlist, I'll be sticking to songs from Seattle grunge acts. Perhaps some other time I'll put together another list of second- and third-wave grunge acts. What? You didn't know there are different waves? Sure there are! It's like ska that way. At least at is to me. And, as I pointed out above, I'm the captain here. The "dark grunge" guy. So let's get into it.

Again, I'm putting this together in late November. So the "dark grunge" thing isn't just a bit. I've chosen a dozen of the gloomiest, doomiest Seattle grunge tracks from my private grunge cellar. It's like a wine cellar, but for grunge music. Let's listen.

Starting with a trio of tracks from the darkest of all grunge acts, Alice In Chains. "Am I Inside" from the Sap ep, both musically and lyrically, sounds like a 4:30 sunset.

I mean, the song is called "Rotten Apple." And that opening riff? Just rotten.

Sure, there are darker songs on Dirt, but this one just fits here.

An abandoned shack in a clearing surrounded by leafless trees. Starkly contrasted with the stark, white room. Great visuals on this one.

Isn't that what this playlist is all about?

Sure, Nirvana could come with the high energy. But Kurt could also rip a dark riff.

A grunge playlist without Tad is no grunge playlist.

Are you picking up on the pattern here? It's usually the opening riff that makes grunge "dark."

Is it a dark grunge ballad? Sure, why not?

Darker in theme than in anything else.

R.I.P., Andrew Wood.

Thanks for sitting through my beautiful bummer of a playlist.