2nd time commenting. I still go with Pumpkins by a nose. I understand the Nirvana big hard sound projection through their scaled down instrument sets. I'd say Nirvana deserves the term "Sonic Youth" more than even Sonic Youth to define their sound. I go SP more cuz I just like sounds with a little bit more "sweetener" in there once in a while. Though Billy Corgan is one of the most HIT & MISS lead men. He can come off as controlling genius fined tuned in, and just a grating bore other times. Cobain was mostly insufferabley depressed, but could sense the genuine elements to what he was as a person. Basically one's a bit of a douche, the other miserable but "real", and can see how it affects opinions of the bands.
Nirvana is my top choice, but SP aren't far behind -- their early albums are epic and their most recent album is surprisingly good. I thought it would be terrible, but a friend of mine talked my into downloading it -- I was impressed.
Never listened to Bleach until recently, when the deluxe version came available for cheap. That's some good stuff.
Smashing Pumpkins to play at Bayou May 15th. Just got my GA tickets. Was going to do VIP but none of my friends are into them as much as me so I'd be alone. Still going to be nuts at suck a small venue.
This is better than anything Nirvana or SP did: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eqrm9Li-qwg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Although I'm positive you are joking... If not your taste in music is as good as your taste in mediocre Memphis players.
There is only one band of that era you can honestly compare FNM with... <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7gs2o5T7oN8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
They're coming to Houston on May 15th. http://www.songkick.com/concerts/16056529-smashing-pumpkins-at-bayou-music-center
Saw them a couple years back when it was Verizon Wireless Theater. It was awesome. Definitely my favorite venue.
Bump. Nirvana will always be the pioneer of Alternative Rock and they are best known for their power chords. I like both bands but if I had to choose I'd take the Smashing Pumpkins. Their tracks are just so unique from other bands.
Nirvana was undoubtedly the more influential band compared to SP... but personally, Pearl Jam is still my favorite band (of their genre) during that era.
Was jammin sp today on my commute to work. Man Galapagos and soma just make me tingle when they build up. There is no nirvana song that can make me shiver like that.
I can't believe this poll was even remotely close. Nirvana blows Pumpkins away, Corgan is a whiny little b****, end of story....