Random Rock Stars of 1990s: Where Are They Now (15 items)

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  (#5) Art Alexakis

  • Rock music, Acoustic music, Post-grunge, Alternative rock, Cowpunk

  If you've ever wanted to live beside the ocean and leave the fire behind, you have Everclear to thank. Their biggest singles ("Santa Monica," "Father of Mine," "I Will Buy You A New Life") were as about as ubiquitous in the '90s as tatted dudes with bleached blonde hair singing and guitar slinging, of whom Everclear frontman Art Alexakis was one of the most famous. 

  In 2003, the other two dudes in Everclear bounced, leaving Alexakis to his own devices. Most of the world didn't notice. In 2015, Alexakis went so far as to declare "I am Everclear."

  In 2000, Alexakis testified before Congress in favor of the Compassion for Children and Child Support Enforcement Act. In 2004, he campaigned for John Edwards and was a delegate for his native Oregon at the Democratic National Convention. He is also an activist for gay rights, and once stated "I was aware of Harvey Milk before most people were. It was a great experience."

  In 2017, Everclear embarked on a 20th anniversary tour for third album So Much for the Afterglow. He's also apparently the most hated musician in Portland and once had to declare bankruptcy, thanks to an expensive divorce and a big bill for unpaid taxes. 
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  (#9) Nick Hexum

  • Ska punk, Experimental rock, Rap rock, Dub, Alternative rock, Funk rock, Hard rock, Reggae fusion

  Remember 311? There's no harshing the mellow of these unflappable (and prodigious) musicians from Omaha, NE, whose blend of hard rock, ska, metal, reggae, punk, funk, and hip hop was all over the radio in mid-to-late '90s. If you were tuned into popular music circa 1996, it was impossible to escape soft-spoken, articulate, gangly, bleached blonde 311 frontman Nick Hexum, who handled most of the band's publicity. They were also a great live band, in case you forgot. 

  So what happened to Hexum and 311? The band was still going strong in the 2010s, thanks to an extremely dedicate fan base. They have an annual 311 Day party/concert on March 11. In 2011, the band started doing Caribbean cruises, during which they perform daily while kicking it with fans, who can take their pick from a slew of events throughout the day. 

  As for Hexum himself, he started his own record label, What Have You Records. In 2013, he launched a side project, The Nick Hexum Quintet, which released a record of reggae-influenced pop songs.
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  (#10) Nina Gordon

  • Rock music, Alternative rock

  Failing to meet self-imposed expectations, Nina Gordon and Louise Post bickered about the direction of their '90's girl band following early success with their single, "Volcano Girls." In 1998, the two had what Post called "... a defining fight fallout that we just couldn't get past. And that was that."

  Though neither will reveal details of the fight, the blowup was called "monumental." Post soldiered on under the Veruca Salt moniker, while Gordon married Tonic guitarist Jeff Russo, and released a solo album that produced the single "Tonight and the Rest of My Life." She also recorded a cover of NWA's "Straight Outta Compton" that became a surprise success online. 

  In 2014, Veruca Salt announced a reunion and, in 2015, released the album Ghost Notes.
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  (#1) Perry Farrell

  • Gothic rock, Alternative rock, Progressive house music, Electronica, Funk rock, Alternative metal, Hard rock

  Regardless of whether you liked Jane's Addiction, if you were of an impressionable age in the 1990s, frontman Perry Farrell had an incalculable impression on your music taste as a co-founder of Lollapalooza. It was also kinda hard to escape his high-pitched screech thanks to singles like "Been Caught Stealing" and "Jane Says." 

  Since the 1990s, Farrell has kept himself busy with multiple Jane's Addiction reunions. In 2004, he and wife Etty Lau Farrell formed a music and theater project called Satellite Party.

  In 2001, Farrell traveled, along with other members of Christian Solidarity International, to Sudan, to negotiate the release of slaves. He toured with Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello to raise money for the homeless in Los Angeles and to clean up the Ninth Ward of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He has also advocated for green living and for solutions to global warming.
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  (#14) Scott Stapp

  • Rock music, Heavy metal, Pop rock, Post-grunge, Alternative rock, Christian rock, Alternative metal, Hard rock

  You may remember him as the frontman of pseudo-Christian rock band Creed. In 2006, Scott Stapp married Jaclyn Nesheiwat, winner of the Miss New York USA 2004 pageant. Although the couple filed for divorce in 2014, a stint on VH1's' "Couple's Therapy" helped them mend their fences. Stapp was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
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  (#13) Steve Harwell

  • Pop music, Rock music, Skate punk, Alternative rock

  Along with the rest of Smash Mouth, Steve Harwell guy inspired us all to be all-stars. Not only that, but he has been remarkably successful at licensing his music for television channels. 

  Lately he's had stints on VH1's The Surreal Life and several radio shows. You also may have seen him in the movie Rat Race.

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