All-time best bands from the Pacific Northwest

Heavier than most of the other notable grunge bands of the day, the Seattle-based group was one of the most successful outfits during the early-to-mid 1990s. It's still going strong today, even after the 2002 death of iconic lead singer Layne Staley. The harmonic relationship between Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell is what helped the group stand out among its peers. Today, vocalist William DuVall is a big reason Alice in Chains remains relevant on the alternative/hard rock scene. 

Formed in Portland, Oregon., the Warhols have developed some impressive staying power. The band just released its 10th studio album, "Why You So Crazy," in January. The group's catchy hooks, creative lyrics and neo-psychedelic pop sound have produced a nice following of fans, who appreciate its overall unique approach to the art of music. "Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth," from 1997, remains one of the group's best efforts.

What started out as Ben Gibbard's solo effort has evolved into an indie-alt rock act that's remained relevant since its debut release in 1998. Coming out of Bellingham, Washington, Death Cab's been nominated for eight Grammy's but has yet to win one. The obsessed-lover theme "I Will Possess Your Heart" should be considered the group's highlight and stands up well more than a decade later. 

Looking for a true rock experience? Check out a live show by The Decemberists. In some ways, a concert by the Portland indie rockers is kind of like a stage production, complete with re-enactments and crowd participation. "Down by the Water," from 2010, should be considered the group's signature tune in terms of mainstream recognition.

Art Alexakis might have sung about "Santa Monica," but the pop-rock band's roots go back to Portland, Oregon. The 1995 release "Sparkle and Fade" put the then-trio on the mainstream map, while "So Much for the Afterglow" (1997) earned a Grammy nomination. Though the band's popularity dipped significantly in the 2000s, Alexakis continues to chug on with various lineup changes to keep Everclear potent. 

Since the band's roots go back to Dave Grohl writing, playing all the instruments and recording the eponymous debut album back in late 1994 in Seattle, it qualifies as a Pacific Northwest act. Since then, with actual physical members other than Grohl, the Foo Fighters have become one of the most popular and well-respected bands in the world — and it shows no signs of stopping.

The Hall of Fame group has seen its fair share of lineup changes during a 40-plus-year existence, but the true "heart" has always been sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Ann's powerful voice and Nancy's gritty guitar helped the Seattle-area arena rockers enjoy major success during the 1970s, '80s and '90s. Hits like "Magic Man," "Barracuda" and "Alone" are just a few of the band's timeless classics.

The Portland rock and rollers left a timeless mark on music history with their 1963 version of Richard Berry's "Louie, Louie." It's undeniably the band's biggest hit and one of the most recognizable and influential tunes in the world. It's also found its place in various forms of pop culture. The Kingsmen also found success with covers of "Money" and "Little Latin Lupe Lu." 

There are many from the Seattle area who credit singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne and his band for giving the whole grunge genre it's rather dark, drawn out, heavy sound. Like tuning E-strings of the guitar down to D. A combination of hardcore punk, garage rock and a little metal thrown in, the Melvins helped spawn a music movement. Since releasing its first EP in 1986, the band is still going strong despite a number of lineup changes.

Rooted in the Seattle suburbs but also partial to Portland, Modest Mouse has been an indie/alternative rock force since the early 1990s. At one point, guitarist Johnny Marr, well-known for his days with The Smiths, was a member of the band. He played on 2007's "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank," its first album to reach No. 1 in the United States. However, the mainstream gem "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" (2004) earned a Grammy nomination.

In the case of what could have been, there's no telling how much stardom this Seattle-based pre-grunge, alternative rock quintet was headed toward. The band was ready to explode when flamboyant and poetically charged frontman Andrew Wood died from a 1990 heroin overdose before the slated release of the band's debut "Apple," its only studio LP. Members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament went on to form Pearl Jam. "Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns" is the highlight of MLB's legacy, and the Temple of the Dog project, specifically its song "Say Hello to Heaven," was a tribute to Wood.

In the Aftermath of Seattle favorites Green River, Mudhoney was born in the late 1980s, led by singer/guitarist Mark Arm. The band's sound has always been more raw, distorted and faster than that of other prominent artists from the grunge era. Perhaps that's why Mudhoney never earned the same level of success as Nirvana or Soundgarden, Still, the group's influence resonated loudly through the Pacific Northwest, and "Touch Me I'm Sick," remains one of grunge's signature tunes.

The rock world was looking for something to smash the glam/hair metal scene apart in the early 1990s, and Aberdeen, Washington's Nirvana came through. The commercial success of 1991's "Nevermind" and its hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit" essentially introduced those outside of the Pacific Northwest to a sound that would come to be known as "grunge." The band released just three studio albums before the suicide of frontman Kurt Cobain. But the band's legacy seems stronger than ever, and skinny, hard-pounding drummer Dave Grohl has become one of the biggest rock stars on earth.

Seattle isn't exactly known for its electronica scene, but Odesza has helped change that, or at least give reason to look toward the Pacific Northwest for this type of music. The group, founded in 2012, is more like an experience, complete with a brass section, in addition to members Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight along with their alter egos. Odesza has earned Grammy recognition and been featured in ads for Apple.

Though the early origins of the band, and that of late founder Paul Revere Dick, were in Idaho, it truly took off in Portland in the early '60s. Dressed in Revolutionary War soldier outfits, to counter the British invasion of pop music as legend states, and known for the 1966 hit "Kicks," the band has undergone several lineup changes and the current version will still pop up to perform now and then. 

Born from the ashes of Washington state bands like Green River and Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam remains one of the biggest bands in the world. It also boosts one of the most massive and devoted fan bases in all of music history. From its roaring introduction "Ten" (1991) to the classic-rock fueled "Lightning Bolt" (2013), listening to and catching these Hall of Famers live is a true rock experience.

For a stretch in the mid-1990s, the Presidents were a mainstream power, alt-pop trio thanks to hits like "Lump" and Peaches." The band comes from Seattle, but one of its most well-known efforts — an updated version of Ian Hunter's "Cleveland Rocks" — became the popular theme song for "The Drew Carey Show."

For a few years in the early 1980s, Portland-based Quarterflash was a mainstay on the pop-rock, new wave scene. Hits like "Harden My Hart," a top five track in the United States, and "Take Me to Heart" were MTV staples. Plus, not many frontwomen back in the day — or even now — could play the saxophone as well as Rindy Ross. 

The Pacific Northwest is obviously known for its grunge and alternative-hard rock roots, but Queensryche is the greatest representation of the region's mainstream heavy/prog metal contributions. Though the members split to form two versions of the group for a while, the classic lineup from the 1980s and 1990s, with the four-octave voice of frontman Geoff Tate leading the way, was truly something special in putting out the conceptual "Operation: Mindcrime" (1988) and the commercial smash "Empire" (1990). 

Though the Trees never really earned the same mainstream, commercial success as contemporaries like Soundgarden or Pearl Jam, those within that circle consider the band one of the most important of the grunge movement. Formed in the central Washington city of Ellensburg, the Screaming Trees put out seven records from 1986-96 and enjoyed some radio/video success with 1992's "Nearly Lost You," which was part of the widely popular soundtrack to the Cameron Crowe movie "Singles."

Formed in Olympia, Washington, in the early 1990s, this all-female power punk/indie rock trio also have ties to Portland, as multi-talented guitarist Carrie Brownstein has shown via the cable hit "Portlandia." The band, which features fellow guitarist and main voice Corin Tucker and exceptionally talented drummer Janet Weiss, released seven studio albums from 1995-2005 and returned a decade later with the critically acclaimed "No Cities to Love." "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" is an indie punk masterpiece.

Bruce Springsteen and Nirvana consider these Tacoma rockers as major influences. So they must have done something right. The group's straightforward sound with rather basic chord progressions wasn't far off from what the Beatles were doing in their early days, but faster and seemingly with a little more edge. The Sonics weren't punk at the time but are often credited with being an influence for the genre within the United States. 

The Seattle rockers had it all: the unique sound that featured metal/alternative/punk all rolled into one, plus, of course, the dynamic voice of singer Chris Cornell. Starting with 1991's "Badmotorfinger," followed by the juggernaut known as "Superunknown" (1994) and then "Down on the Upside" (1996), Soundgarden ruled the hard-rock scene and won two Grammys. The group was back at it in recent years, but Cornell's shocking suicide in 2017 ended its existence.  

Hailing from Tacoma, The Ventures never needed to sing a word to be successful — Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, in fact. Beginning in the late 1950s, the instrumental group was one of the first to truly showcase the electric guitar as the central focus of a band. Its 1960 version of "Walk, Don't Run" is arguably the most celebrated piece of instrumental music of all time.  

This Portland outfit is often credited as being the most influential punk band from the Pacific Northwest during the late 1970s and into the '80s, though it never really considered itself a punk band. Led by singer/guitarist Greg Sage and drummer Sam Henry, the Wipers left a lasting impression on bands like Nirvana, which covered "Return of the Rat" in 1992, the Melvins and Mudhoney, thanks to its frequent use of distortion.