History Main / PostGrunge

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but removing the more unusual qualities and less commercially-friendly influences from HardcorePunk and NoiseRock that original grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, in addition to much more mid-tempo songs. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while heavily watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

->''"I think the grunge-lite movement came not from bands so much as record labels. I think the record labels said, "Hmm... Let's have more of that. Let's find bands who we can encourage to write songs that have a little bit of angst and a whole lot of melody and create something that's not challenging, it's not confrontational, and that the mainstream can just wholeheartedly embrace.""''

The rise of Post-grunge has gone to dominate and even embed itself in the standardly recognized sound of HardRock [[SmallReferencePools as most people can hear]], creating the assumption that post-grunge is, along with PopPunk and mainstream {{Emo|Music}}, the only form of modern rock. This has had the flip-side effect of some of the more straight-forward, contemporary rock groups [[note]]The kind who take their influence from the deep-seated 70's and 80's hard rock staples (Black Stone Cherry, Rev Theory, Hinder, Saving Abel, Buckcherry, Pop Evil, My Darkest Days, etc.)[[/note]] being lumped in with post-grunge, despite largely having no alternative qualities in their music[[note]]Music/{{Nickelback}} is a particularly odd case of this, taking on a more stadium/pop sound in their later albums and thus joining this group while still carrying the post-grunge label as an ArtifactTitle, probably because of their lead singer's scratchy voice[[/note]]. There is a bit of cross-over involved as well: Saliva, Music/{{Shinedown}}, [[Music/ThreeDoorsDown 3 Doors Down]] and Music/{{Daughtry}} like to dabble in/pay tribute to "regular" hard rock when they can, adding to this confusion. It seems the only way to escape this is to play ''very'' old-fashioned retro-rock, such as GarageRock revival, new BluesRock, [[PsychedelicRock neo-psychedelia]], [[HeavyMetal traditional-metal revival]], or [[PopRevival modernized]] PowerPop.

* Music/{{Hurt}} (once again, a big EnsembleDarkhorse of the genre very experimental and Tool-esque)

* Presence ( their first album was straight NuMetal. They switched to this still for their second and final album)

* Music/{{SOiL}} (not coincidentally, their original singer Ryan [=McCombs=] went on to join Drowning Pool and play on their third and fourth albums)

* Music/{{Incubus}} (Started off as a FunkMetal band and have later [[GenreShift shifted]] into AlternativeRock proper with recent albums. The post grunge is only really their {{black sheep hit}}s)

* Music/FooFighters ([[{{Irony}} ironic]], considering [[Music/{{Nirvana}} the band's origins]]; easily one of the most beloved examples on this list)

* Music/{{Feeder}} (probably the only known band overlap it with [[{{Britpop}} post-Britpop]])

The genre has been known to use the more traditional rock structures often rejected by their predecessors in Grunge, modernized with straightforward, brooding lyrics. In this sense, the movement could be considered ([[{{Irony}} ironically]]) the SpiritualSuccessor to HairMetal, whose pop beats and polished production brought heavy rock to a widespread audience (Post-grunge is also well known for its "soul-searching" ballads). Ironically, many post-grunge bands take more influence from Music/{{Poison}}, Cinderella and Music/{{Whitesnake}} than Music/{{Nirvana}}; post-grunge players generally think of the old grunge-greats as idols/heroes rather than true influences, with more of an interest in stylistic emulation over artistic aspiration (the subtle difference between a direct or indirect influence from grunge can affect how well-received a post-grunge band is, both critically and to their audience). Post-Grunge tends to focus more on conventional lyrical structure than the music itself, often [[WordSaladLyrics the opposite stance]] of early grunge artists. Though the genre is rooted primarily in AlternativeRock, make no mistake, post-grunge was tailor-made for the mainstream, and is what helped Alternative become rooted as 'Mainstream' music. [[note]]Notice that [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Mainstream_Rock_Tracks Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks']] record-holders are almost entirely post-grunge bands.[[/note]] In essence, it took no influence from what Grunge was, but took every influence from what Grunge became; a commercial darling.

The genre has been known to use the more traditional rock structures often rejected by their predecessors in Grunge, modernized with straightforward, brooding lyrics. In this sense, the movement could be considered ([[{{Irony}} ironically]]) the SpiritualSuccessor to HairMetal, whose pop beats and polished production brought heavy rock to a widespread audience (Post-grunge is also well known for its "soul-searching" ballads). Ironically, many post-grunge bands take more influence from Music/{{Poison}}, Cinderella and Music/{{Whitesnake}} than Music/{{Nirvana}}; post-grunge players generally think of the old grunge-greats as idols/heroes rather than true influences, with more of an interest in stylistic emulation over artistic aspiration (the subtle difference between a direct or indirect influence from grunge can affect how well-received a post-grunge band is, both critically and to their audience). Post-Grunge tends to focus more on conventional lyrical structure than the music itself, often the opposite stance [[WordSaladLyrics of early grunge artists]]. Though the genre is rooted primarily in AlternativeRock, make no mistake, post-grunge was tailor-made for the mainstream, and is what helped Alternative become rooted as 'Mainstream' music. [[note]]Notice that [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Mainstream_Rock_Tracks Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks']] record-holders are almost entirely post-grunge bands.[[/note]] In essence, it took no influence from what Grunge was, but took every influence from what Grunge became; a commercial darling.

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but removing the more unusual qualities and less commercially-friendly influences from HardcorePunk and NoiseRock that original grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, in addition to much more mid-tempo songs. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while heavily watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

The rise of Post-grunge has gone to dominate and even embed itself in the standardly recognized sound of HardRock [[SmallReferencePools as most people can hear]], creating the assumption that post-grunge is, along with mainstream {{Emo|Music}} and PopPunk, the only form of modern rock. This has had the flip-side effect of some of the more straight-forward, contemporary rock groups [[note]]The kind who take their influence from the deep-seated 70's and 80's hard rock staples (Black Stone Cherry, Rev Theory, Hinder, Saving Abel, Buckcherry, Pop Evil, My Darkest Days, etc.)[[/note]] being lumped in with post-grunge, despite largely having no alternative qualities in their music[[note]]Music/{{Nickelback}} is a particularly odd case of this, taking on a more stadium/pop sound in their later albums and thus joining this group while still carrying the post-grunge label as an ArtifactTitle, probably because of their lead singer's scratchy voice[[/note]]. There is a bit of cross-over involved as well: Saliva, Music/{{Shinedown}}, [[Music/ThreeDoorsDown 3 Doors Down]] and Music/{{Daughtry}} like to dabble in/pay tribute to "regular" hard rock when they can, adding to this confusion. It seems the only way to escape this is to play ''very'' old-fashioned retro-rock, such as GarageRock revival, new BluesRock, [[PsychedelicRock neo-psychedelia]], [[HeavyMetal traditional-metal revival]], or [[PopRevival modernized]] PowerPop.

After dominating mainstream rock music in the '90s and '00s, post-grunge eventually wore out its welcome in TheNewTens. Few new bands are playing post-grunge anymore, largely moving onto straightforward AlternativeRock or Pop Rock. The post-grunge bands that didn't sing about SexDrugsAndRockAndRoll are still charting well on Mainstream Rock radio ([[NewSoundAlbum usually because they added elements of other genres into their music]]), but everyone else retain [[CultClassic cult followings]] at best or are CondemnedByHistory at worst.

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but removing the more unusual qualities and less commercially-friendly influences from HardcorePunk and NoiseRock that original grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, in addition to much more mid-tempo songs. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

After dominating mainstream rock music in the '90s and '00s, post-grunge eventually wore out its welcome in TheNewTens. The [[ElectronicMusic electronic dance craze]] practically wiped out post-grunge's hold on the radio overnight. Few new bands are playing post-grunge anymore, largely moving onto straightforward AlternativeRock or Pop Rock. The post-grunge bands that didn't sing about SexDrugsAndRockAndRoll are still charting well on Mainstream Rock radio ([[NewSoundAlbum usually because they added elements of other genres into their music]]), but everyone else retain [[CultClassic cult followings]] at best or are CondemnedByHistory at worst.

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but removing the more unusual qualities and less commercial-friendly influences from HardcorePunk and NoiseRock that original grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, in addition to much more mid-tempo songs. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but removing the more experimental qualities and less commercial-friendly influences from HardcorePunk and NoiseRock that original grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, in addition to much more mid-tempo songs. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but removing the more experimental qualities and less commercially-friendly influences from HardcorePunk and NoiseRock that original grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, in addition to much more mid-tempo songs. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but removing the more experimental qualities and less commercially-friendly influences from HardcorePunk and NoiseRock that original grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures, [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures and [[HardcorePunk hardcore]] influences that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, [[LighterAndSofter than slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities, as the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures, [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures and [[HardcorePunk hardcore]] influences that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, [[LighterAndSofter than slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock becoming more banal and losing its artsy/experimental qualities. Not to mention the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

* Come from [[CanadaEh Canada (specifically, British Columbia and Southern Ontario)]] [[note]], UsefulNotes/{{California}}, [[UsefulNotes/TheOtherRainforest the Pacific Northwest]], and [[FlyoverCountry the Upper Midwest]]. [[DeepSouth The southern]] [[{{Eagleland}} US]] is also optional.

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures, [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures and [[HardcorePunk hardcore]] influences that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were known for, [[LighterAndSofter than slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock to become more banal and lose its artsy/experimental qualities. Not to mention the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures, [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures and [[HardcorePunk hardcore]] influences that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were also known for, [[LighterAndSofter than slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock to become more banal and lose its artsy/experimental qualities. Not to mention the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

After dominating mainstream rock music in the '90s and '00s, post-grunge eventually wore out its welcome in TheNewTens. The [[ElectronicMusic electronic dance craze]] practically wiped out post-grunge's hold on the radio overnight. Few new bands are playing post-grunge, moving onto AlternativeRock or Pop Rock. The post-grunge bands that didn't sing about SexDrugsAndRockAndRoll are still charting well on Mainstream Rock radio ([[NewSoundAlbum usually because they added elements of other genres into their music]]), but everyone else retain [[CultClassic cult followings]] at best or are CondemnedByHistory at worst.

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures, [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures and [[HardcorePunk hardcore]] influences that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were also known for, [[LighterAndSofter than slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock to become more banal and lose its experimental qualities. Not to mention the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures, [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures and [[HardcorePunk hardcore]] influences that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were also known for, [[LighterAndSofter than slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for mainstream AlternativeRock to become more banal and lose its experimental qualities. Not to mention the genre's existence lead to the numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures, [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures and [[HardcorePunk hardcore]] influences that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were also known for, [[LighterAndSofter than slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for mainstream AlternativeRock to become more banal and lose its experimental qualities. Not to mention the genre's existence lead to numerous less glossy bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

[[PostSomethingism Post]]-grunge is a derivative of {{Grunge}} music that became popular in the late '90s. The genre is primarily marked by its use of the apathetic, droning vocals, downtuned guitars and HardRock[=/=][[PunkRock Punk]] aesthetics commonly associated with Grunge, but also removing the unusual structures and [[ProgressiveRock prog-like]] time signatures that grunge artists such as Music/{{Soundgarden}} and the Music/{{Melvins}} were also known for, [[LighterAndSofter then slowing it down]] but not to the level of DoomMetal. In other words, taking, running-with and exploiting the more commercially viable qualities of Grunge while watering down its oddity and offending harshness. Yeah, this genre doesn't go over well with the underground music scene. Its popularity has occasionally caused it to receive blame for AlternativeRock to becoming more banal, and losing its experimental qualities. Not to mention the genre's existence has lead to numerous bands previously snatched up by major labels after Music/{{Nirvana}}'s breakthrough being unceremoniously dumped[[note]]like Boredoms, Music/ButtholeSurfers and Music/{{Jawbox}}, to name a few[[/note]].

The genre has been known to use the rock-like compositions and structure often rejected by their predecessors in Grunge, modernized with straightforward, brooding lyrics. In this sense, the movement could be considered ([[{{Irony}} ironically]]) the SpiritualSuccessor to HairMetal, whose pop beats and polished production brought heavy rock to a widespread audience (Post-grunge is also well known for its "soul-searching" ballads). Ironically, many post-grunge bands take more influence from Music/{{Poison}}, Cinderella and Music/{{Whitesnake}} than Music/{{Nirvana}}; post-grunge players generally think of the old grunge-greats as idols/heroes rather than influences, with more of an interest in stylistic emulation over artistic aspiration (the subtle difference between a direct or indirect influence from grunge can affect how well-received a post-grunge band is, both critically and to their audience). Post-Grunge tends to focus more on conventional lyrical structure than the music itself, often the opposite stance [[WordSaladLyrics of early grunge artists]]. Though the genre is rooted primarily in AlternativeRock, make no mistake: Post-grunge was tailor-made for the mainstream, and is what helped Alternative become rooted as 'Mainstream' music. [[note]]Notice that [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Mainstream_Rock_Tracks Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks']] record-holders are almost entirely post-grunge bands.[[/note]] In essence, it took no influence from what Grunge was, but took every influence from what Grunge became: a commercial darling.

The rise of Post-grunge has gone to dominate and even embed itself in the standardly recognized sound of HardRock [[SmallReferencePools as most people can hear]], creating the assumption that post-grunge is, along with {{Emo|Music}} and PopPunk, the only form of modern rock. This has had the flip-side effect of some of the more straight-forward, contemporary rock groups [[note]]The kind who take their influence from the deep-seated 70's and 80's hard rock staples (Black Stone Cherry, Rev Theory, Hinder, Saving Abel, Buckcherry, Pop Evil, My Darkest Days, etc.)[[/note]] being lumped in with post-grunge, despite largely having no alternative qualities in their rock[[note]]Music/{{Nickelback}} is a particularly odd case of this, taking on a more stadium/pop sound in their later albums and thus joining this group while still carrying the post-grunge label as an ArtifactTitle, probably because of their lead singer's scratchy voice[[/note]]. There is a bit of cross-over involved as well: Saliva, Music/{{Shinedown}}, [[Music/ThreeDoorsDown 3 Doors Down]] and Music/{{Daughtry}} like to dabble in/pay tribute to "regular" hard rock when they can, adding to this confusion. It seems the only way to escape this is to play ''very'' old-fashioned retro-rock, such as GarageRock revival, new BluesRock, [[PsychedelicRock neo-psychedelia]], [[HeavyMetal traditional-metal revival]], or [[PopRevival modernized]] PowerPop.

After dominating rock music in the '90s and '00s, post-grunge eventually wore out its welcome in TheNewTens. The [[ElectronicMusic electronic dance craze]] practically wiped out post-grunge's hold on the radio overnight. Few new bands are playing post-grunge, moving onto AlternativeRock or Pop Rock. The post-grunge bands that didn't sing about SexDrugsAndRockAndRoll are still charting well on Mainstream Rock radio ([[NewSoundAlbum usually because they added elements of other genres into their music]]), but everyone else retain [[CultClassic cult followings]] at best or are CondemnedByHistory at worst.

* Have been called ChristianRock at some point. Bonus points if they actually ''did'' start out as a Christian rock band (Skillet and Switchfoot are two examples).