13 Bands From the 90s Mentioned in Sexual Awakening
Cassandra, the main character in The Rock Star’s Wife series, loves five things: her awesome friends, her dysfunctional family, music, her plan to move to Chicago, and Kurt Cobain. So high is her music obsession that the bulk of her wardrobe consists of band t-shirts and her most-prized possession is her CD boom box. In Sexual Awakening, book one in the series, Cassandra attends high school, and we’re introduced to the bands she follows. Here are 13 bands from the 90s mentioned in Sexual Awakening.
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Without looking at title or cover, I take the book from her and shove it into my Music is Life tote bag next to my Walkman and my copy of Toad the Wet Sprocket’s fear. – From Chapter 1
Toad the Wet Sprocket formed in the mid-1980s. Fear, the band’s third album, was its breakthrough record, and “All I Want,” its 1992 single, is perhaps the band’s best-known song, having received heavy radio play and inclusion in several television soundtracks. Fear was certified platinum and had a second single, “Walk on the Ocean.”
The band still records and tours. It broke up in 1998 but reunited a decade later. The band’s seventh studio album, Starting Now, was released 2021.
Radiohead
I was hoping for Nirvana, but instead it’s Radiohead’s ‘Creep.’ Not a bad song, but not Kurt. –From Chapter 2
Radiohead also formed in the mid-1980s. “Creep” is the debut single off the band’s debut album, Pablo Honey, releasing in 1992. It became a hit worldwide. Good luck, however, hearing the song at the next Radiohead concert. The song hasn’t been played much since the late ’90s.
According to Loudwire, a fan in Montreal requested the song and frontman Thom Yorke replied, “Fuck off, we’re tired of it.”
Radiohead’s ninth album, A Moon Shaped Pool, dropped in 2016. Three years later, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Nirvana
Nirvana is Cassandra’s favorite band, and she has a crush on Kurt Cobain, so it’s no surprise the band is mentioned multiple times in Sexual Awakening. Three singles are mentioned.
I sing “Come As You Are” under my breath, hoping to pump myself up. – From Chapter 3
“Because Nirvana will be there on the 23rd and the 25th. I want to see them soooo bad. I already have the new album memorized. My favorite song is ‘Heart Shaped Box.’ It would be so cool to see them live, to be in the same room with Kurt, to—” – From Chapter 5
“High school taught us plenty of lessons. Or at least it did if you listened. These lessons will guide you well in life. In the words of Nirvana’s ‘Dumb’, ” I say, quoting the bridge. – From Chapter 32
“Come As You Are” is the third track off Nevermind, the band’s second studio album. The album was certified gold in 1991. The other two songs are from In Utero which was released in 1993. The album has been certified five-times platinum.
Nirvana formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. It disbanded after Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994 with drummer Dave Grohl going on to form Foo Fighters.
Smashing Pumpkins
“Oh,” Maroula says, turning to walk backward. “But you’re wearing a Smashing Pumpkins t-shirt today.” – From Chapter 2
Chicago’s own Smashing Pumpkins formed in the late-1980s. Its third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, was released in 1995 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The band released six singles off the album, including “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” “Tonight, Tonight,” and “1979.”
The band still records and tours. Cyr, the 11th studio album, dropped in 2020.
Rage Against the Machine
Other than Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine is one of only two other bands mentioned in Sexual Awakening more than once.
Blinded by tears, I pop Rage Against the Machine into my CD player and put “Killing in the Name” on repeat. I throw myself on my bed, curl up in the fetal position and hug my pillow, unable to sing along except one line that I sing as angry as I can. – From Chapter 8
Rage Against the Machine formed in 1991. “Killing in the Name” is the lead single off the band’s self-titled 1992 album. It is a protest song against modern American society and contains the word “fuck” 16 times in slightly more than five minute. The album was certified platinum in 1994.
The band has been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame four times, but has yet to make it into the hall.
Rage Against the Machine broke up for eight years, ending the hiatus in 2019. The band’s reunion tour began in 2022. At the Chicago show, July 11, frontman Zack de la Rocha injured his leg. A month later, the band cancelled its European shows, citing de la Rocha’s health. The band still plans a U.S. tour in 2023.
Queensrÿche
The DJ plays Queensrÿche’s “Silent Lucidity,” which is a huge surprise. I thought the school would play one of those pop singers Vanessa listens to. – From Chapter 5
Queensrÿche has been around almost as long as Cassandra and her friends, forming in 1980.
The power ballad “Silent Lucidity” is a single off the band’s fourth full-length studio album Empire. The band was nominated in 1992 for the Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, and won the MTV “viewers choice” award for “Silent Lucidity.”
Queensrÿche still records and tours. Digital Noise Alliance dropped in 2022.
Stone Temple Pilots
When I get home, I need to listen to Stone Temple Pilots’ “Wicked Garden.” Takes on a whole new meaning now. I think Todd just drank from my wicked fountain and ran through my wicked garden. – From Chapter 14
Also called STP, Stone Temple Pilots founded in the late-1980s. The band has gone through three vocalists, recording in the 1990s with Scott Weiland.
“Wicked Garden” is track three off the 1992 album Core. The song is about the loss of innocence and purity. A 25th anniversary edition of Core, the band’s top selling album, released in 2017.
The band currently tours with Jeff Gutt as frontman. Perdida dropped in 2020.
Gin Blossoms
“Hey Jealousy” runs through my head on a continual loop. – From Chapter 9
Gin Blossoms formed in the mid-1980s. Its second studio album, New Miserable Experience, dropped in 1992. Five singles, including “Hey Jealousy,” were released and the album kept the band on the chart for nearly three years. More than 5 million copies have been sold.
The band broke up in 1997 and reunited four years later. The most recent album, Mixed Reality, dropped in 2018.
Soundgarden
I’ve had “Black Hole Sun” in my head all afternoon, and nothing can make it leave, not even the sight of what could quite possibly be the final can of Crystal Pepsi in existence. – From Chapter 15
Soundgarden formed in the mid-1980s. “Black Hole Sun” is a single off the 1994 album Superunknown, the band’s fourth studio album. The album earned the band two Grammy nominations and has been certified six-times platinum.
The band broke up in 1997, reuniting in 2010. After frontman and guitarist Chris Cornell’s death in 2018, the band permanently broke up.
Bush
Seriously makes me wonder if that line in Bush’s ‘Everything Zen’ is about Greg. You know the line about the asshole brother. – From Chapter 26
Bush formed in 1992 and, for reasons unknown, has achieved more success in the United States than its native United Kingdom.
“Everything Zen” is the first track and first single off the band’s debut album, Sixteen Stone. Other singles include “Machinehead” and “Glycerine.” The album was certified six-times platinum in the United States.
Bush still records and tours. The Art of Survival dropped in 2022.
Collective Soul
Collective Soul plays in the tape deck. I sing along for a verse or two before Greg lowers the volume. – From Chapter 30
Collective Soul formed in 1992. An earlier draft of Sexual Awakening stated the song playing in the deck was “The World I Know,” but I removed the reference from the later versions. The single appears on the band’s self-titled second album which released in 1995.
The band’s first hit, “Shine” was off its debut studio album, Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid.
The band still records and tours. Vibrating dropped in 2022.
Metallica
Metallica, along with Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine, is mentioned in Sexual Awakening more than once, making it one of Cassandra’s favorites.
“In the words of Metallica in ‘The Unforgiven’,” I say, quoting the chorus. – From Chapter 32
Metallica formed in the early-1980s. The ballad “The Unforgiven” is the fourth track off the band’s 1991 self-title album. The record is referred to as The Black Album because the album’s packaging is solid black. Other singles off the album include “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters.”
The band still records and tours. Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, the 10th studio album, released in 2016. Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
Green Day
“In conclusion, I leave you with this parting message,” I say, quoting the second verse of Green Day’s “Jaded.” – From Chapter 32
Green Day formed in the mid-1980s. “Jaded,” track 11 off the 1995 album Insomniac, is almost always played immediately following the preceding track, “Brain Stew,” and the songs share a music video.
The band still records and tours. Father of All Motherfuckers dropped in 2020. Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
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What are your favorite bands from the 90s? Leave a comment below. Comments close after 90 days.
To watch videos of these bands from the 90s, visit Cassandra’s Playlist. To listen to the songs mentioned in Sexual Awakening, follow The Rock Star’s Wife on Spotify.
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Here’s the 4-1-1
This blog is a companion piece to The Rock Star’s Wife, a series about sex, family, and rock & roll. The series has elements of chick lit, romance and erotica and is best compared to The Vagina Monologues for its frank talk of sex and its consequences. The series follows Cassandra from her teenage years into her 40s as she navigates relationships (both romantic and platonic) — all with music playing a prominent roll.
Book one, Sexual Awakening, drops February 2023: Teenager Cassandra Economos loves five things: Her awesome friends. Her big fat, dysfunctional, Greek family. Rock music. Her plan to move to Chicago. And Kurt Cobain. Soon, she’ll gain another love. Sex. Stifled by her family’s rules, how will Cassie explore her sexuality?
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Melina Druga
Melina Druga is a multi-genre author with a lifelong love of music, books and writing. She is the author of the Rock Star's Wife series, six historical fiction novels and nine nonfiction books. Based in the Midwest, Druga lives with her husband, daughter, black cat and CD collection.
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