When you look at the world of rock music in the 1990s, two names stand out like giants: Kurt Cobain from Nirvana and Noel Gallagher from Oasis. Even though their bands sounded nothing alike, both of them carried the same spark that came from the underground punk world. What’s fascinating is how they used that spark in totally different ways — one turning it into raw emotion and rebellion, the other transforming it into massive, hopeful anthems.
Cobain: The reluctant hero who carried punk into grunge
Kurt Cobain grew up loving underground punk bands. Groups like the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, Melvins, and Meat Puppets shaped the way he wrote songs. Punk music wasn’t polished, it wasn’t pretty, and it definitely wasn’t mainstream. That was the entire point.
So when Nirvana suddenly became huge — selling millions of records and playing massive stadiums — Cobain struggled with it. Punk bands weren’t supposed to be famous. They weren’t supposed to become the biggest thing in the world. Cobain loved the raw honesty of punk, and the more famous Nirvana got, the harder it became to feel like he was still part of that world.
But the music never lost its roots. Even on global hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are,” you can still hear that punk energy under the surface — the messy guitars, the snarl in his voice, and lyrics full of frustration and confusion. Cobain once said that the Sex Pistols were a huge influence on him, and it shows. Punk was always his foundation, even when the whole world was watching.
Gallagher: The confident songwriter who turned rebellion into big, bold optimism
Noel Gallagher, on the other hand, came from a different angle. He also grew up in a world shaped by punk’s aftermath. Punk had already exploded and changed everything by the time he was old enough to play in bands. What inspired him wasn’t just the loud guitars — it was the attitude.
To Noel, punk meant doing things your own way, not caring what anyone thought, and believing your band could conquer the world. He took that attitude, mixed it with his love for the Beatles, and created the Oasis sound: huge choruses, powerful melodies, and lyrics full of ambition.
Unlike Cobain, Gallagher loved the spotlight. When Oasis became one of the biggest bands on the planet, he embraced every second of it. He saw success as something to celebrate, not something to fear. And even though their music was more melodic than punk, the attitude behind songs like “Bring It On Down” or “Rock ’n’ Roll Star” came straight from that punk playbook — loud, proud, and fearless.
Two very different paths, one shared spirit
Even though Nirvana and Oasis sound nothing alike, both bands owe a lot to the punk movement that came before them.
Nirvana used punk to express despair, anger, and discomfort with fame.
Oasis used punk’s attitude to build confidence, swagger, and stadium-filling anthems.
Both Cobain and Gallagher helped reshape rock music for their generation. They didn’t follow the rules. They didn’t try to fit in. And because of that, they ended up becoming legends.
Why their stories still matter
Music keeps evolving, but the spirit behind Cobain, Gallagher, and their punk heroes stays the same:
Shake things up. Say something real. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain.
Whether you prefer the emotional chaos of Nirvana or the bold confidence of Oasis, both bands remind us that great music often comes from the same place — a desire to change the world, one loud song at a time.