20 Underrated ’90s Bands You Need to Rediscover Right Now
The ’90s were a golden era for music, birthing iconic bands that still dominate playlists today. But beneath the spotlight of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Oasis, there were countless bands that slipped under the radar or didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. If you’re craving fresh sounds with that nostalgic ’90s edge, here are 20 underrated gems worth revisiting.
1. Hum
Best Listen: “Stars”
Hum fused shoegaze with post-hardcore to create spacey, heavy tunes that felt years ahead of their time. Their album You’d Prefer an Astronaut is a must-listen for fans of atmospheric rock.
2. Failure
Best Listen: “Stuck on You”
Failure’s brand of space rock and experimental alt-rock paved the way for bands like A Perfect Circle. Their 1996 album Fantastic Planet remains a cult classic.
3. Catherine Wheel
Best Listen: “Black Metallic”
Hailing from the UK, Catherine Wheel blended shoegaze with hard rock, creating lush, swirling soundscapes. Fans of Ride or My Bloody Valentine will love their sound.
4. Superdrag
Best Listen: “Sucked Out”
This Tennessee-based band delivered infectious power-pop anthems with a grungy twist. Their raw energy and catchy hooks are criminally overlooked.
5. The Afghan Whigs
Best Listen: “Debonair”
Mixing alt-rock with soul and R&B influences, The Afghan Whigs carved out a unique sound that was both gritty and seductive.
6. Paw
Best Listen: “Jessie”
Paw combined grunge with southern rock flair, creating emotional, riff-heavy tracks that never quite broke into the mainstream.
7. Spiritualized
Best Listen: “Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space”
Blending psychedelia, gospel, and shoegaze, Spiritualized crafted sprawling, orchestral rock that deserves more attention.
8. Archers of Loaf
Best Listen: “Web in Front”
Archers of Loaf were indie rock pioneers, delivering raw, lo-fi tunes brimming with emotion and angst.
9. Ride
Best Listen: “Vapour Trail”
Ride helped shape the shoegaze movement, but they often sit in the shadows of bigger names. Their dreamy, reverb-drenched sound still holds up.
10. Quicksand
Best Listen: “Fazer”
A precursor to the post-hardcore boom, Quicksand’s heavy, groove-driven sound inspired countless bands that followed.
11. Dinosaur Jr.
Best Listen: “Feel the Pain”
While they found modest success, Dinosaur Jr. never reached the heights of their contemporaries. Their fuzzed-out guitars and emotive vocals are essential for any ’90s playlist.
12. The Dandy Warhols
Best Listen: “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth”
Known for their psychedelic pop and sardonic lyrics, The Dandy Warhols deserve more credit for shaping late-’90s alt-rock.
13. Helmet
Best Listen: “Unsung”
Helmet bridged the gap between metal and grunge, delivering tight, aggressive riffs that influenced the nu-metal explosion.
14. Swervedriver
Best Listen: “Duel”
Swervedriver crafted a mix of shoegaze and alt-rock, creating driving, cinematic songs that are perfect for road trips and late-night introspection.
15. Sunny Day Real Estate
Best Listen: “In Circles”
Pioneers of the emo genre, Sunny Day Real Estate’s heartfelt and dynamic sound laid the groundwork for the 2000s emo explosion.
16. Teenage Fanclub
Best Listen: “The Concept”
Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub blended jangle pop with grunge, crafting harmonies and melodies reminiscent of Big Star and The Byrds.
17. Jawbox
Best Listen: “Savory”
Part of the ’90s post-hardcore wave, Jawbox delivered intricate, melodic, and powerful tracks that are just as compelling today.
18. Screaming Trees
Best Listen: “Nearly Lost You”
Despite being one of the leading voices in the Seattle grunge scene, Screaming Trees never achieved the mainstream success of their peers.
19. Lush
Best Listen: “Sweetness and Light”
Lush combined ethereal vocals with shimmering guitars, embodying the essence of dream pop and shoegaze.
20. Sebadoh
Best Listen: “Rebound”
Lo-fi pioneers Sebadoh captured the essence of DIY indie rock, delivering raw, introspective songs that resonate with authenticity.
Rediscover the ’90s
These bands may not have topped the charts, but their influence is undeniable. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering them for the first time, these hidden treasures from the ’90s are ready to be your next obsession. Dust off that Discman, fire up your streaming service, and dive into the rich, diverse world of underrated ’90s music.
