out history as apain killer and narcotic. Overall, it damages the immune system and has led to the deaths of many, including several celebrated social figures. The use of heroin developed into a major drug trend. The numbers of addicts and heroin related deaths increased at an alarming rate throughout the 1990's. The media also began blaming suicides after Kurt's death on his music, "citing Cobains death as the "only" reason for the suicides"("Blaming Cobain").Fans stayed faithful to their bands but like before Grunge became underground, bands went back to playing in bars and clubs with a small group of fans. The grunge look was no longer in and the days of designer grunge clothes was over.The pop culture phenomenon was gone, dead to most. It went back to being the "Seattle sound" that it had started as. Bands like Sonic Youth and Tad continued playing but were no longer the headliners they once were.Grunge's short life in the spotlight was over. It had "represented an alternative to rock's decaying mainstream" ("Rock's Reluctant"). Now what was left of it in mainstream America became bundled into a new genre, labeled Alternative music, along with many other small musical genres like Industrial, Gothic, Brit-Pop, Heavy Metal, etc ("What is Alternative Music"). The pressure of fame and popularity had proven to much for the unexacting local boys of Seattle.Grunge had had a good run but pop culture movements never stay around to long. Though, like the many pop culture phenomenon's before it have been revived, it may also be revived, in some form or another years down the road and retro grunge will be topping the charts once again. Teenagers will think they have found something new and everyone will be wearing flannel and ripped jeans once again. So while Grunge may seem dead for now, it quietly waits in the basements of bored teens and hearts of the next Kurt Cobain's of the world. The world may think it has seen the end of grunge, but...
