rock band. At the time, it was expensive and time-consuming for Northwestern groups who were starting out to get a clean recording sound, so the alternative cheaper option was to leave the sound dirty and turn up the volume. According to writer Catherine Strong, this sound, due to low budgets, unfamiliarity with recording, and a lack of professionalism may be the origin of the term "grunge".

The "Seattle scene" was a regional Pacific Northwest alternative music movement that was linked to the