[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock

Sex Type ThingStone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots – Sex Type Thing (Official Music Video)

A debut single by the American band Stone Temple Pilots, driven by a heavy, distorted guitar riff that rattles the eardrums.

Vocalist Scott Weiland delivers a fiercely provocative piece, lacing a scathing critique of machismo through an overbearing male point of view.

On first listen, many may be startled to discover the creator’s opposite message hidden behind the aggressive words.

The track appeared as a single the year after its release on the 1992 classic album Core, reaching No.

23 on the U.

S.

Mainstream Rock chart.

When you’re weighed down by the absurdities of society and daily life, why not surrender to this song’s powerful sound and blast away the frustration pent up in your heart?

Bullet with Butterfly WingsThe Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings

The Smashing Pumpkins—aka “Sma-pan”—achieved exceptional commercial success in the alternative rock scene of the 1990s and, despite repeated breakups and lineup changes, continue to be active even now in the 2020s.

Hailing from Chicago rather than the so-called Seattle scene, and with frontman Billy Corgan—who is of the same generation as Kurt Cobain—being a strong personality, the band often drew criticism from peers at the time.

Still, Corgan’s outstanding songwriting talent and the magnificent band ensemble that powers their sound are the real deal.

Among the many gems produced by the Pumpkins, whose strength lies in their stylistic breadth, this track is packed with the band’s core appeal as an alternative rock act.

If you think it’s cool, go grab the album right now!

Killing In the NameRage Against The Machine

Rage Against The Machine – Killing In the Name (Official HD Video)

Rage Against the Machine—aka Rage—shocked the music scene with a sound that fuses hip-hop, funk, punk, metal, and hardcore, and with raps that put their political convictions front and center, channeling unflinching anger at all forms of power and injustice.

Charismatic Zack de la Rocha’s vocals; Tom Morello, a Harvard-educated intellectual with an innovative guitar style no one else would conceive; Tim Commerford’s rock-solid, groove-forging bass; and Brad Wilk’s drums—together they create a sound only Rage can produce from a simple band lineup.

For anyone who wants to experience that unique sound, start with this one track.

You’ll understand that Rage’s fury still resonates—and remains effective—in today’s chaotic world.

EvenflowPearl Jam

Pearl Jam – Even Flow (Official Video)

Hailing from the same Seattle scene as Nirvana, they are a quintessential alternative rock band that transformed the early 1990s music landscape.

Despite lineup changes, they are one of the few bands that have never disbanded and have continued their activities well into the 2020s.

Frontman Eddie Vedder—whose voice is often compared to that of Jim Morrison—was hailed, alongside Kurt Cobain, as a spokesperson for Generation X.

Yet, as you can hear in the classic Even Flow introduced here, early Pearl Jam in particular is characterized by a dynamic sound built around 1970s-style hard rock riffs.

It’s a track that captures this great American rock band in their youth, so be sure to crank it up loud!

Swallow My PrideGreen River

Swallow My Pride

If you trace the roots of grunge, you can’t overlook Green River from Seattle, USA.

Featuring future members of Pearl Jam and Mudhoney, they’re truly regarded as the “forefathers of grunge.” The track introduced here fuses punk’s aggression with the heavy riffs of hard rock—raw yet gripping.

Lyrically, it lays bare a deep disgust toward the shallow patriotism permeating society at the time, explored through a romantic relationship.

That rebellious spirit still resonates with many today.

The song was released on the 1985 EP “Come On Down” and was later covered by bands like Soundgarden.

There’s even a legendary tale that they reunited during a Pearl Jam show in November 1993 and performed this very song.

Ace of SpadesMotörhead

Motörhead – Ace Of Spades

It’s a feel-good track by Motörhead, a band you could call the original alternative rock group.

With its fast beat and sense of speed, it’s the kind of song that might make you accidentally drive a little too fast.

The raspy vocals are incredibly cool.

PainThree Days Grace

Three Days Grace – Pain

It’s a classic by Three Days Grace that plays a slightly dark, loud alternative rock.

The band is impressive and cool for powerfully and emotionally singing about loneliness, sorrow, and pain.

The backing sound is heavy and cool as well.