"Got a Pop History/Pop Culture question from the 60's, 70's, 80's or 90's?" Just askmrpophistory@mrpophistory.com

Sub Pop's Smashing Pumpkins Single

From Steven N – Good afternoon. Can you give me more information on the “Seattle” alternative scene in the early 1990’s? You talked about the group “Sound Garden” and the top bands such as Nirvana, but weren’t there others?

Mr. Pop History – At the vortex of all this was Nirvana’s first label – Seattle-based Sub Par Records. And, a lot of this music was first exposed by college radio, then the commercial formats went with it. One of the labels they played almost sight-unseen, was anything from Sub Par, which had been around since 1980, but first existed as a fanzine named “Subterranean Pop.”

Sub Par released their first record in 1986 – a compilation of area bands such as Skinny Puppy and Sonic Youth. Just in case you’re a collector, it was called “Sub Pop 100.” Soon after, they released albums/EP’s by other area bands such as Green River and Soundgarden. Another collectible is the 1987 Sub Pop/Soundgarden EP “Screaming Life.” Then came another collection: “Sub Pop 200.”

Other alternative/grunge rock on this fantastic label – early Nirvana, Tad, The Walkabouts and Mudhoney and the Smashing Pumpkins.