Grungies, enter.

[Liam]

Alice in Chains > All other grunge bands.

Of course, grunge sucked, and killed rock music for a time, but thats another story for another time.

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I'd say that initially grunge SAVED rock from the days of Hair Metal and naff cheese (which although good at times, was very over-subscribed). People wanted something new, and grunge delivered.

However, I'd say the bastard offspring bands of grunge killed rock music, but not necessarily the first wave of grunge bands.