10 Most Underrated Grunge Bands Of All Time
9. Sponge
Not to be confused with ska-punkers [spunge], Detroit’s Sponge continue to provide fast paced, guitar heavy rock to this day. With a greater focus on rockstar histrionics than many of their peers, Sponge were a particularly spectacular live act on the scene and boast an impressive and varied discography.
Their debut, Rotting Pinata, whips between angst and cheery melodies at a relentless pace. The title track contains a multitude of shimmering riffs and a heavy, powerful chorus. It also contains their biggest single, “Plowed”, which is anthemic and despairing in equal measure.
As recently as 2021’s Lavatorium they have continued to peddle the grunge sound, and while there’s a weariness to their modern music in contrast to their earlier pacy rock, the tunes are still there, as is the self deprecating lyrical content.
Sponge’s music lacks the depth of some of their contemporaries, but in terms of pure rock power, they have an incredible energy that makes their brand of grunge enjoyably accessible.