The Best Alternative & Indie Bands of the 1990s

Updated September 15, 2023 51.3K votes 4.3K voters 197.1K views

Over 4.3K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Alternative & Indie Bands of the 1990s

Voting Rules

Please consider an artist's '90s work ONLY when voting (lucky Weezer.)

These 100 bands and artists' music helped define the "alternative" rock era of the '90s and influenced the next generation of indie rock this century.

Most divisive: Hole

Ranked by

1
1,299 votes
Nirvana
Nevermind, In Utero
2
1,243 votes
Radiohead
The Bends, OK Computer, Pablo Honey
3
1,138 votes
Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Gish
4
1,091 votes
Pearl Jam
Ten, Vs., Vitalogy
5
932 votes
Soundgarden
Superunknown, Badmotorfinger, Down on the Upside
6
940 votes
R.E.M.
Automatic for the People, Out of Time, Monster

Nirvana

Radiohead

Smashing Pumpkins

Pearl Jam

Soundgarden

R.E.M.