Accidental Revolution: The Story of Grunge

An in-depth history of grunge and the bands behind the pop culture music phenomenon including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.

Grunge, a style of music that wed classic rock riffs with punk ethos, was the musical movement that defined the 90s and left an indelible mark on the music scene at large. But how did this musical phenomenon emerge from the Seattle underground to become a universal beacon of despair for millions of restless kids around the globe, and why did it resonate with so many disenchanted outsiders?

Kyle Anderson answers these questions and more, examining the connection between grunge and punk, how Kurt Cobain's disdain for Axl Rose propelled Nirvana to instant success, the singer who officially killed off grunge with his trite lyrics and pseudo-grunge attitude, and the band that ripped off Pearl Jam, made millions of dollars by selling out to the media, and went on to become the most hated band ever.

Accidental Revolution is an essential guide to the triumphs and defeats of a musical revolution and its unforgettable icons.

“The way Kyle Anderson writes about grunge mirrors how the music sounded in 1993: Humor within seriousness, heaviness within distortion, enthusiasm within detachment. This book will make you get on the snake.” —New York Times–bestselling author Chuck Klosterman

“Kyle Anderson details the roots, the rise, the demise, and the legacy rock and roll's last big thin. Anderson's witty, clear-eyed insights cut through the flannel haze to capture rock's last movement for what it truly was—and what it wasn't.” —New York Times–bestselling author Anthony Bozza

© 2025 St. Martin's Griffin (E-bog): 9781466838604

Release date

E-bog: 16. april 2025