211: JACK OFF JILL

Coming up in the early 90s with a (mostly) all-female lineup and confronting sound and performance, it’s not hard to see how Jack Off Jill got bundled in with the riot grrrl scene. The reality, however, is Jack Off Jill stand alone as one of the best alt rock bands of the period. With a …

199: FAITH NO MORE

Faith No More are not only Mike Patton’s most well known band, but perhaps one of the defining alternative acts of the 90s. Through six studio albums, they crafted a sound that would send waves through alternative metal, as well as directly inspiring many bands who would go on to become nu metal bands. With …

198: TOMAHAWK

As we enter the home stretch of 9 Days of Patton, it’s time to talk about the country-twangified alt rock beast that is Tomahawk. In 1999 Patton and Duane Denison of The Jesus Lizard started collaborating, eventually bringing in John Stanier and Kevin Rutmanis, of Helmet and Melvins respectively. The result of this collaboration was …

191: GUANO APES

Guano Apes started in Germany in the mid 90s with an electrifying fusion of alt metal, funk, and some nascent nu metal flourishes. Frontwoman Sandra Nasić is a vocal chameleon, able to switch from beautiful clean melodies, to hard rock roars, and even rap. Backed by heavy riffs and addictively funky bass, Guano Apes’ sound …

186: RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

Since forming in the early 80s, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ infections and unique merging of funk, alternative, and rap rock, has seen them become one of the best-selling artists in history. The most obvious funk element to their sound is unquestionably Flea’s bass playing. With iconic, slapped baselines, Flea infuses every song with an …

174: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS

In a period where alt rock and it’s off-shoots reigned supreme, The Smashing Pumpkins were (and continue to be) a truly unique voice in the 90s zeitgeist. This is another case where I don’t need really need to recommend the band to you. Most people my age (or anywhere up to 15 years older) who …