The Grunge Diaspora

Listening to a podcast about The Smashing Pumpkins, it came to my attention just how much music Billy Corrigan has made that is not Smashing Pumpkins core. Which led me down a mindless rabbit hole looking at some of grunge’s (or thereabouts) other side projects and post-fame projects that weren’t their main bands’ discogs.

In order to keep this somewhat under control, I’m going to limit myself to the “big six” grunge acts and their main members. And only bands that started either while their current bands were active or after their demise. Nothing prior to their main band.

Nirvana
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Stone Temple Pilots
Alice in Chains
The Smashing Pumpkins

There was some seriously weird supergroup pairings that came out of this group of weirdos. I’m only going to include bands that were formed by a main group member from these bands. Not bands they joined as the bassist or whatever, but bands they were founding members of. Let’s get it!

NIRVANA

— Kurt Cobain —

The Jury
Members From: Nirvana & Screaming Trees
Members: Kurt Cobain, Mark Lanegan, Krist Novoselic & Mark Pickerel
Note: They only recorded four songs, one of which ended up on Lanegan’s first solo record, The Winding Sheet and the other three on Nirvana’s b-sides collection, With the Lights Out.
Listen: “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” (1989) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: “Grey Goose” (1989) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: “Ain’t it a Shame” (1989) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: “They Hung Him on A Cross” (1989) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Bathtub is Real
Members From: Nirvana & Bikini Kill
Members: Kurt Cobain & Tobi Vail
Note: No recording of the “band” has survived so far as anyone can tell. Also, that name, Bathtub is Real, is too stupid to have been the real name of whatever this was. Maybe it was a myth.

— Dave Grohl —

Late!
Members From: Nirvana
Members: Dave Grohl
Note: He only put out this one cassette-only album.
Listen: Pocketwatch (1992) ⎜ YouTube

the Backbeat Band
Members From: Nirvana, The Afghan Whigs, R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Soul Asylum & Gumball
Members: Dave Grohl, Greg Dulli, Mike Mills, Thurston Moore, Dave Pirner & Don Fleming
Note: It seems this supergroup was brought together to record the soundtrack for some movie called Backbeat that I’ve absolutely never heard of. It’s some story about a band called The Beatles, apparently.
Listen: Backbeat Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1994) ⎜ YouTube

Foo Fighters
Members From: Nirvana, Sunny Day Real Estate & The Germs
Members: Dave Grohl, William Goldsmith, Nate Mendel & Pat Smear
Note: This is obviously the longest running and most insanely successful of all of these, but whatever.
Listen: Foo Fighters (1995) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music ⎜ [Mr. Hipster Review]
Listen: The Colour and the Shape (1997) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: One by One (2002) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: In Your Honor (2005) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Wasting Light (2011) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music ⎜ [Mr. Hipster Review]
Listen: Sonic Highways (2014) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Concrete and Gold (2017) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Medicine at Night (2021) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: But Here We Are (2023) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Probot
Members From: Nirvana
Members: Dave Grohl
Note: This is some sort of instrumental metal band that Grohl used to get some singers and whatnot. It is incredibly not my thing, though it seems like the metal dudes dug it.
Listen: Probot (2004) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Them Crooked Vultures
Members From: Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age & Led Zeppelin
Members: Dave Grohl, Josh Homme & John Paul Jones
Note: This is some stoner, blues rock stuff. I worked on the Website and there were some serious expectations. It did not live up to them.
Listen: Them Crooked Vultures (2009) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Krist Novoselic —

Sweet 75
Members From: Nirvana & Ministry
Members: Krist Novoselic & Bill Rieflin
Note: I have nothing to say other than this kind of sounds like a female-led imitation of a bad version of a grunge-adjacent band.
Listen: Sweet 75 (1997) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

The No WTO Combo
Members From: Nirvana, Soundgarden & Dead Kennedys
Members: Krist Novoselic, Kim Thayil & Jello Biafra
Note: To call this one-shot live band a band is kind of b.s., but it was a thing.
Listen: Live from the Battle in Seattle (2000) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Eyes Adrift
Members From: Nirvana, Meat Puppets & Sublime
Members: Krist Novoselic, Curt Kirkwood & Bud Gaugh
Note: This sounds like a good idea on paper. It apparently was not.
Listen: Eyes Adrift (2002) ⎜ YouTube

Giants in the Trees
Members From: Nirvana
Members: Krist Novoselic
Note: This is some weird Fleetwood Mac hippy shit right here. Novoselic continues to suck at naming records.
Listen: Giants in the Trees (2017) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Volume 2 (2019) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

3rd Secret
Members From: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden & Void
Members: Krist Novoselic, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil & Jon “Bubba” Dupree
Note: How is this still a thing in 2024 and nobody has ever heard of it? Krist remains terrible at naming albums.
Listen: 3rd Secret (2022) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: The 2nd 3rd Secret (2023) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

PEARL JAM

— Eddie Vedder —

Solo
Note: Eddie has contributed to what feels like a million albums, but has never formed a side-group while in Pearl Jam. He has done some solo albums, however…
Listen: Into the Wild (2007) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Ukulele Songs (2011) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Earthling (2022) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Stone Gossard —

Brad
Members From: Pearl Jam, & Satchel
Members: Stone Gossard, Regan Hagar & Shawn Smith
Note: I ate this shiz up because it was Pearl Jam. It’s not Pearl Jam. And I had no clue it was still going in 2023.
Listen: Shame (1993) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music ⎜ [Mr. Hipster Review]
Listen: Interiors (1997) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Welcome to Discovery Park (2002) ⎜ Spotify ⎜ [Mr. Hipster Review]
Listen: Best Friends? (2010) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: United We Stand (2012) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: In the Moment You’re Born (2023) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Solo
Note: His stuff seems to be mostly missing from streaming services. I’m pretty sure I have the first one on CD for some reason. I definitely didn’t buy it. Maybe it just appeared.
Listen: Bayleaf (2001) ⎜ N/A
Listen: Moonlander (2008) ⎜ Apple Music

Painted Shield
Members From: Pearl Jam and some dudes who have been in and around A Perfect Circle and maybe also Pearl Jam
Note: I don’t understand what this band is. It’s not my thing.
Listen: Painted Shield (2020) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Painted Shield 2 (2022) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Painted Shield 3 (2024) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Mike McCready —

Mad Season
Members From: Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains & Screaming Trees
Members: Mike McCready, Layne Staley & Barrett Martin
Note: I was looking forward to this one. It was pretty cool. At least a couple of the tracks sounded exactly like what you’d expect them to sound like. Lots of smack. Also a way better name than what they had originally: The Gacy Bunch.
Listen: Above (1995) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

The Rockfords
Members From: Pearl Jam & Goodness
Members: Mike McCready & Carrie Akre
Note: Another one I had no idea existed. The album cover looks like an episode of Friends. It’s not cool.
Listen: The Rockfords (2000) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Levee Walkers
Members From: Pearl Jam, Guns N’ Roses & Screaming Trees
Members: Mike McCready, Duff McKagan & Barrett Martin
Note: As far as I can tell they announced this “super group” and only ever put out two (or maybe, kinda four) songs. So goes it.
Listen: “All Things Fade Away / Madness” (2017) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: “Freedom Song / Tears for the West” (2016) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Jeff Ament —

Three Fish
Members From: Pearl Jam, Tribe After Tribe & Fastbacks
Members: Jeff Ament, Robbi Robb & Richard Stuverud
Note: I somehow own their second album and have definitely never listened to it. But, despite this, I have some recollection that it’s some hippie shit. I’m probably biased against Ament’s devil sticks vibes.
Listen: Three Fish (1996) ⎜ YouTube
Listen: The Quiet Table (1999) ⎜ YouTube

Solo
Jeff seemingly did some solo work. Who knew?
Listen: Tone (2008) ⎜ YouTube
Listen: While My Heart Beats (2012) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Heaven/Hell (2018) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: I Should Be Outside (2021) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Tres Mts.
Members From: Pearl Jam, King’s X & Fastbacks
Members: Jeff Ament, dUg Pinnick & Richard Stuverud
Note: Oh Ament, you love the groove. Too bad it was a bad word in 2011.
Listen: Three Mountains (2011) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

RNDM
Members From: Pearl Jam & Fastbacks
Members: Jeff Ament, Richard Stuverud & Joseph Arthur
Note: This stupid band name is the most 2012 thing I’ve ever seen, and I hate it.
Listen: Acts (2012) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Ghost Riding (2016) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

SOUNDGARDEN

— Chris Cornell —

Temple of the Dog
Members From: Soundgarden & Mother Love Bone
Members: Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament & Mike McCready
Note: Technically this was before Pearl Jam started and after Mother Love Bone broke up, so this is a side project for only the Soundgarden dudes.
Listen: Temple of the Dog (1991) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Solo
Note: Cornell’s solo work started strong but faded into the background over time. Sadly.
Listen: Euphoria Morning (1999) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Carry On (2007) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Scream (2009) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Higher Truth (2015) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1 (2020) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Audioslave
Members From: Soundgarden & Rage Against the Machine
Members: Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford & Brad Wilk
Note: It must suck to be Zack de la Rocha. Your whole band is like, “Nah, man, we’re quitting the band… Oh, Chris? Yeah, he’s… Well, okay, you’re out, he’s in.”
Listen: Audioslave (2002) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music ⎜ [Mr. Hipster Review]
Listen: Out of Exile (2005) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Revelations (2006) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Kim Thayil —

— Ben Shepherd —

Hater
Members From: Soundgarden & Monster Magnet
Members: Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron & John McBain
Note: That’s actually not a bad name for a band. It’s short and catchy. And could be confused with actor Bill Hader, who is cool now!
Listen: Hater (1993) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: The 2nd (2005) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Wellwater Conspiracy
Members From: Soundgarden & Monster Magnet
Members: Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron & John McBain
Note: Somehow this is a different band than Hater. It’s like a spin-off of a spin-off. But with the same exact people? This is some seriously up-your-own-ass stuff, though Shepherd had enough sense to leave the band after the first album.
Listen: Declaration of Conformity (1997) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Unkmongoni
Member From: Soundgarden
Member: Ben Shepherd
Note: I only find mentions of this band, but there’s no music to speak of and no notes about actual albums being produced. Who knows?

Solo (as HBS)
Note: Seems he had both Matts (Cameron and Chamberlain) drum on the album. And somehow Jimmy and Matt Chamberlain aren’t related? I don’t know. HBS are Ben Shepherd’s actual initials.
Listen: In Deep Owl (2013) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Ten Commandos
Members From: Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age & Off!
Members: Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron, Alain Johannes & Dimitri Coats
Note: One song here evens features my old elementary school classmate Nikka Costa! I am peripherally connected to grunge! Even though I worked for the woman after whom the song “Jennifer’s Body” was written. I guess that’s less tenuous.
Listen: Ten Commandos (2015) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Matt Cameron —

Wellwater Conspiracy
Members From: Soundgarden & Monster Magnet
Members: Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron & John McBain
Note: Somehow this is a different band than Hater. It’s like a spin-off of a spin-off. But with the same exact people? Unlike Ben Shepherd, who had enough sense to leave the band after the first album, Matt Cameron stuck around, took over lead vocals and recorded three more albums!
Listen: Declaration of Conformity (1997) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Brotherhood of Electric (1999) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: The Scroll and Its Combinations (2001) ⎜ YouTube
Listen: Wellwater Conspiracy (2003) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Nighttime Boogie Association
Members From: Soundgarden/Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters & The Melvins
Members: Matt Cameron, Taylor Hawkins, Buzz Osbourne & Steven MacDonald
Note: They only look to have recorded two songs, presumably because Hawkins died before they could get the band fully off the ground. Or maybe because two drummers in one band might be one too many? Or maybe because this is pretty awful, awful music?
Listen: Long in the Tooth / The Path We’re On (2020) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS

— Scott Weiland —

The Magnificent Bastards
Members From: Stone Temple Pilots
Members: Scott Weiland
Note: The band only recorded two songs, one of which was on the incredibly weird Tank Girl soundtrack. Sorry, the movie is weird, the soundtrack is weirdly cool.
Listen: “Mockingbird Girl” (1995) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: “How Do You Sleep?” (1995) ⎜ YouTube

Solo
Note: I was actually kind of psyched for Weiland’s first solo record. I don’t recall why. But I did buy it, I think. I own it currently on CD, so let’s say yes. Beyond that, yeah, it wasn’t something I knew or cared about. “Happy” in Galoshes? What’s with the parenthesis? And the galoshes? And a Christmas album? No thanks.
Listen: 12 Bar Blues (1998) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: “Happy” in Galoshes (2008) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2011) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

The Wondergirls
Members From: Stone Temple Pilots, Sugar Ray, The Cult, 30 Seconds to Mars, Orgy, Puddle of Mudd, Failure, Porno for Pyros & Queens of the Stone Age
Members: Scott Weiland, Mark McGrath, Ian Astbury, Shannon Leto, Jay Gordon, Ryan Shuck, Julien-k, Doug Ardito, Ken Andrews, Martyn LeNoble & Troy Van Leeuwen
Note: Another band that only recorded two songs and then never again. Well, sort of. They got back together in 2013 to re-record one of the songs for Iron Man 3, but without Weiland. I think? Regardless, this completely unwieldy supergroup was a thing for a hot second that nobody knew about.
Listen: “Let’s Go All the Way” (1999) ⎜ YouTube
Listen: “Drop That Baby” (1999) ⎜ YouTube

Velvet Revolver
Members From: Stone Temple Pilots, Guns N’ Roses
Members: Scott Weiland, Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum
Note: Hoofa. The world definitely didn’t need this. Guns N’ Roses jettisoning one troublesome lead singer for another.
Listen: Contraband (2004) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Libertad (2007) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Art of Anarchy
Members From: Stone Temple Pilots, Disturbed & Guns N’ Roses (sort of)
Members: Scott Weiland, Bumblefoot & John Moyer
Note: Weiland swore he wasn’t actually in the band (despite writing and recording with them), but the others disagree. He — or his estate — may be being sued over it. He bailed on the band after recording the first album only to be replaced by fucking Scott Stapp. He is also being sued for figuring out this band sucks.
Listen: Art of Anarchy (2015) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts
Note: I’m pretty sure this was just another solo record that he wanted to pretend was a band. He’s the only dude you’ve ever heard of in it. His guitarist died of an overdose the day before the album came out. And then Scott died on the tour bus touring for this record. Quite a grim legacy.
Listen: Blaster (2015) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Dean DeLeo —

Talk Show
Members From: Stone Temple Pilots & Ten Inch Men
Members: Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo, Eric Kretz & Dave Coutts
Note: Another band where they were like, “Uh, yeah, my dude, Scott, it’s not us it’s you.” Starting a new band with everyone but you must suck, but that’s Hollywood, bro.
Listen: Talk Show (1997) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Army of Anyone
Members From: Stone Temple Pilots & Filter
Members: Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo & Richard Patrick
Note: Look, dudes, you’re not Queen. Despite your album cover.
Listen: Army of Anyone (2006) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Trip The Witch
Member From: Stone Temple Pilots
Members: Dean DeLeo & some dude named Tom Bukovac
Note: The name and album cover have a distinctly Guided by Voices vibe. The music, however…
Listen: Trip the Witch (2021) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Robert DeLeo —

Delta Deep
Members From: Stone Temple Pilots & Def Leppard
Members: Robert DeLeo & Phil Collen
Note: I do not like blues albums. I do not. Also, I didn’t hear Def Leppard until age 17. In the 80s at the height of their fame. To this day I’m not certain how that happened. Just lucky I guess.
Listen: Delta Deep (2015) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: East Coast Live (2018) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Solo
Note: Who in the world was asking for this? Even DeLeo’s mom was like, “Son, I love you, but maybe it’s time to retire with some of that STP money and chill.” It’s also funny that his name is Robert DeLeo, yet it’s spelled Robert De Leo on his own solo album’s cover.
Listen: Lessons Learned (2022) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Eric Kretz —

ALICE IN CHAINS

— Layne Staley —

Class of ’99
Members From: Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine, Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros & Collective Soul
Members: Layne Staley, Tom Morello, Stephen Perkins, Martyn LeNoble, Matt Serletic
Note: I suppose this isn’t really a band, but it is a bunch of these dudes getting together to record a couple covers for a movie that you can totally pretend you didn’t see. But you did.
Listen: “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 1” (1998) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” (1998) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Jerry Cantrell —

Solo
Note: As far as solo careers go, Cantrell is pretty prolific if not for a 20-year break. I seem to recall hearing one of his solo records — in fact I have it on CD — and thinking it sounded an awful lot like Alice in Chains. It’s not as if this was a guy who was going to put out a Euro dance record or a nü metal / rap hybrid album.
Listen: Boggy Depot (1998) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Degradation Trip (2002) ⎜ Spotify
Listen: Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 (2002) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Brighten (2021) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: I Want Blood (2024) ⎜ Apple Music

— Sean Kinney —

Spys4Darwin
Members From: Alice in Chains, Queensrÿche & Sponge
Members: Sean Kinney, Chris DeGarmo, Mike Inez & Vin Dombroski,
Note: I’m pretty sure of all these grunge spin-offs, this might be the worst name. And that’s saying a lot. And that cover? Listening to this makes me wonder if grunge was ever good.
Listen: microfish (2001) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Mike Starr —

Sun Red Sun
Members From: Alice in Chains, Badlands & Rainbow
Members: Mike Starr, Ray Gillen & Bobby Rondinelli
Note: The last gasp of hair metal before everyone in the band dies of a drug overdoses. Somehow the album cover is incredibly poignant.
Listen: Sun Red Sun (1995) ⎜ YouTube (hodgepodge)

SMASHING PUMPKINS

— Billy Corgan —

Zwan
Members From: The Smashing Pumpkins, A Perfect Circle, Slint & Chavez
Members: Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, Paz Lenchantin, David Pajo & Matt Sweeney
Note: This, like everything Corgan touches, ended in animosity, resentment and firings. It’s not on streaming services, which should be your first clue that it’s an underlying legal disaster.
Listen: Mary Star of the Sea (2003) ⎜ YouTube

Solo
Note: Now this is more like it! Exactly what Corgan wants; the stage and CD all to himself. Why the hell was he in a band to begin with; this was always the plan, man.
Listen: TheFutureEmbrace (2005) ⎜ YouTube
Listen: Aegea (2014) ⎜ YouTube
Listen: Ogilala (2017) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Cotillions (2019) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music (as William Patrick Corgan)

— James Iha —

Solo
Note: There were actually some good tunes on his first solo album, kind of the hippy-shit side of the Pumpkins
Listen: Let It Come Down (1998) ⎜ YouTube
Listen: Look to the Sky (2012) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Tinted Windows
Members From: The Smashing Pumpkins, Hanson, Fountains of Wayne & Cheap Trick
Members: James Iha, Taylor Hanson, Adam Schlesinger & Bun E. Carlos
Note: This is a fascinating mash-up of people, and I kind of feel good for James that he got away from Billy for a while and hopefully did something enjoyable with a nice group of people.
Listen: Tinted Windows (2009) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

— Jimmy Chamberlin —

The Last Hard Men
Members From: The Smashing Pumpkins, Skid Row, The Frogs & The Breeders
Members: Jimmy Chamberlin, Sebastian Bach, Jimmy Flemion & Kelley Deal
Note: This seems really terrible. The cover, the Sebastian Bach factor. Everything.
Listen: The Last Hard Men (1998) ⎜ YouTube

Solo (As Jimmy Chamberlin Complex)
Note: A drummer’s solo oeuvre. How exciting!
Listen: Life Begins Again (2005) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: The Parable (2017) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music
Listen: Honor (2020) ⎜ Spotify / Apple Music

Skysaw
Members From: The Smashing Pumpkins
Members: Jimmy Chamberlin and a couple others who also forgot Jimmy is a drummer.
Note: This is giving Oz energy. But what do I know?
Listen: Great Civilizations (2011) ⎜ Bandcamp

Music

Pearl Jam @ MSG

Mule: If I Don’t Six