The Nineties
The 1990’s proved to be a significant era for the establishment of the rock ‘n roll genre. Rock ‘n roll became an umbrella term which classified numerous new genres of music including alternative, gothic rock and grunge. Bands including Tool, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pearljam, Nirvana and Alice in Chains emerged from the underground world and assimilated into mainstream culture. The nineties was also the decade that Australia’s Magic Dirt and Silverchair released their very first albums.
The nineties also saw the introduction of various female rock artists including Alanis Morissette, Courtney Love, Lisa Loeb, Gwen Stefani and Liz Phair. Following the footsteps of artists and bands including Blondie and Madonna, the succession of female rock musicians of the nineties saw a world phenomenon come to life. Women were somewhat socially accepted into the rock genre, as evident through the example of Gwen Stefani. Stefani, the lead singer of the rock-nineties band, No Doubt, through her stage presence, appearance, performance and lyrics, idealised the gender inequalities which dictated society of the time (No Doubt’s hit song “I’m Just A Girl” not only highlights No Doubt’s rock ‘n roll characteristics, but also shows the changing social attitudes; women were able to voice political and personal opinions through rock music.)
The nineties was an era which brought grunge, alternate and gothic rock came to life and women took the microphone and proved their worth, capability and strength within the supposed male dominated genre of rock.
-Ellie
