Alternative Rock

5/26/2018 Alternative Rock

1/13

Alternative rockFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the radio format associated with this genre, seeModern rock.

Alternative rock

Stylistic origins Punk rockpost-punkhardcore punkNew

Wave

Cultural origins Late 1970searly 1980s,United

KingdomandUnited States

Typical

instruments

Vocalselectric guitarbassdrumskeyboards

Mainstream

popularity

Limited before the success of grunge and Britpop

in the 1990s. Widespread since then.

Subgenres

Britpop

College rock

Dream pop

Grunge

Indie rock

Indie pop

Jangle popMath rockNoise popNoise rockPost-BritpopPost-

grungePost-rockPaisley UndergroundShoegazing

Fusion genres

Alternative danceAlternative metalIndustrial rockDark rock

MadchesterMelodic hardcorePost-punk revivalPsychobillyRiot

Grrrl

Regional scenes

Athens, GeorgiaIllinoisLos AngelesManchester, England

MassachusettsSeattle, Washington
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_instrumenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_instrumenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_instrumenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_dancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_dancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodic_hardcorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodic_hardcorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodic_hardcorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk_revivalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk_revivalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk_revivalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychobillyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychobillyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychobillyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Grrrlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Grrrlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Grrrlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Grrrlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Athens,_Georgiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Athens,_Georgiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Illinoishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Illinoishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Illinoishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Massachusettshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Massachusettshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Massachusettshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_in_Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_in_Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_in_Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_in_Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Massachusettshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Illinoishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Athens,_Georgiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Grrrlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Grrrlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychobillyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk_revivalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodic_hardcorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_dancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_instrumenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_kithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_guitarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_rock


2/13

Other topics

BandsHistoryIndependent musicIndie music scenesCollege

radio

Lollapalooza

Alternative rock(also called alternative music, alt rockor simply alternative) is a genre ofrock musicthat

emerged from theindependent musicunderground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s.

Although the term was most commonly associated in its commercial heyday with a loud, distorted guitar sound,

its original meaning was broader, referring to a generation of musicians unified by their collective debt to either

the musical style, or simply the independent,D.I.Y.ethos ofpunk rock,which in the late 1970s laid the

groundwork for alternative music.[1]

At times, "alternative" has been used as a catch-all description for music

fromundergroundrock artists that receives mainstream recognition, or for any music, whether rock or not, that

is seen to be descended from punk rock (including some examples of punk itself, as well asNew Wave,

andpost-punk).

Alternative rock is a broad umbrella term consisting of music that differs greatly in terms of its sound, its social

context, and its regional roots. By the end of the 1980s magazines andzines,college radioairplay, andword of

mouthhad increased the prominence and highlighted the diversity of alternative rock, helping to define a

number of distinct styles such asgothic rock,jangle pop,noise pop,C86,Madchester,industrial rock,

andshoegazing.Most of these subgenres had achieved minor mainstream notice and a few bands representing

them, such asHsker DandR.E.M.,had even signed tomajor labels.But most alternative bands' commercial

success was limited in comparison to other genres of rock and pop music at the time, and most acts remained

signed toindependent labelsand received relatively little attention from mainstream radio, television, or

newspapers. With the breakthrough ofNirvanaand the popularity of thegrungeandBritpopmovements in the

1990s, alternative rock entered the musical mainstream and many alternative bands became commercially

successful.

Contents

[hide]

1 The term alternative rock

2 Characteristics

3 History

o 3.1 Alternative rock in the 1980s

3.1.1 The American underground in the 1980s

3.1.2 British genres and trends of the 1980s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alternative_rock_bandshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alternative_rock_bandshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_mouthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_mouthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_mouthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_mouthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_labelshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_labelshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_labelshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_term_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_term_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_term_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Characteristicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Characteristicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Alternative_rock_in_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Alternative_rock_in_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_American_underground_in_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_American_underground_in_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#British_genres_and_trends_of_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#British_genres_and_trends_of_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#British_genres_and_trends_of_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_American_underground_in_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Alternative_rock_in_the_1980shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Characteristicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_term_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_labelshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_mouthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_mouthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_alternative_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alternative_rock_bands


3/13

o 3.2 Popularization in the 1990s

3.2.1 The grunge explosion

3.2.2 Britpop

3.2.3 Other trends

3.2.4 Mid to late 1990s: decline of popularity

o 3.3 Alternative rock in the 21st century

4 See also

5 Bibliography

6 References

7 External links

[edit]The term alternative rock

Before the term alternative rockcame into common usage around 1990, the sort of music to which it refers was

known by a variety of terms.[2]

In 1979,Terry Tolkinused the termAlternative Musicto describe the groups he

was writing about.[3]College rockwas used in the United States to describe the music during the 1980s due to

its links to thecollege radiocircuit and the tastes of college students. In the United Kingdom, dozens of

smalldo it yourselfrecord labels emerged as a result of thepunk subculture.According to the founder of one of

these labels,Cherry Red,NMEandSoundsmagazines published charts based on small record stores called

"Alternative Charts". The first national chart based on distribution called theIndie Chartwas published in

January 1980; it immediately succeeded in its aim to help these labels. At the time, the term indiewas used

literally to describe independently distributed records.[4]By 1985, indiehad come to mean a particular genre, or

group of subgenres, rather than simply distribution status.[5]

The use of the term alternativeto describe rock music originated around the mid-1980s;[6]

at the time, the

common music industry terms for cutting-edge music werenew musicandpost modern,respectively indicating

freshness and a tendency to recontextualize sounds of the past.[1][7]

Individuals who worked as DJs and

promoters during the 1980s claim the term originates from AmericanFM radioof the 1970s, which served as a

progressive alternative totop 40radio formatsby featuring longer songs and giving DJs more freedom in song

selection. According to one former DJ and promoter, "Somehow this term 'alternative' got rediscovered and

heisted bycollege radiopeople during the 80s who applied it to new post-punk, indie, or underground-whatever

music".[8]

At first the term referred to intentionally nonmainstream rock acts that were not influenced by "heavy

metal ballads, rarefied new wave" and "high-energy dance anthems".[9]

Usage of the term would broaden to

includeNew Wave,pop,punk rock,post-punk,and occasionally "college"/"indie"rock, all found on the

American "commercial alternative" radio stations of the time such asLos Angeles'KROQ-FM.The use

of alternativegained further exposure due to the success ofLollapalooza,for which festival founder andJane's
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Popularization_in_the_1990shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Popularization_in_the_1990shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_grunge_explosionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_grunge_explosionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Other_trendshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Other_trendshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Mid_to_late_1990s:_decline_of_popularityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Mid_to_late_1990s:_decline_of_popularityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Alternative_rock_in_the_21st_centuryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Alternative_rock_in_the_21st_centuryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Tolkinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Tolkinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Tolkinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_subculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_subculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_subculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Redhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Redhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_(magazine)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_(magazine)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_(magazine)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Indie_Charthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Indie_Charthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Indie_Charthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_modernhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_modernhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_modernhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_formathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_formathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_formathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KROQ-FMhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KROQ-FMhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KROQ-FMhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lollapaloozahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KROQ-FMhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wave_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_formathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_modernhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punk#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Indie_Charthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_(magazine)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Redhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_subculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Tolkinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Alternative_rock_in_the_21st_centuryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Mid_to_late_1990s:_decline_of_popularityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Other_trendshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#The_grunge_explosionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#Popularization_in_the_1990s


4/13

AddictionfrontmanPerry Farrellcoined the termAlternative Nation. In the late 1990s, the definition again

became more specific.[1]

In 1997,Neil StraussofThe New York Timesdefined alternative rock as "hard-edged

rock distinguished by brittle, '70s-inspired guitar riffing and singers agonizing over their problems until they take

on epic proportions".[9]

Defining music as alternative is often difficult because of two conflicting applications of the

word.Alternativecan describe music that challenges the status quo and that is "fiercely iconoclastic,

anticommercial, and antimainstream", but the term is also used in the music industry to denote "the choices

available to consumers via record stores, radio, cable television, and the Internet."[10]

Using a broad definition of

the genre, Dave Thompson in his bookAlternative Rockcites the formation of theSex Pistolsas well as the

release of the albumsHorsesbyPatti SmithandMetal Machine MusicbyLou Reedas three key events that

gave birth to alternative rock.[11]

Until recent years whenindie rockbecame the most common term in the US to

describe modern pop and rock,[12]

the terms "indie rock" and "alternative rock" were often used

interchangeably; whilst there are aspects which both genres have in common, indie rock was regarded as a

British-based term, unlike the more American alternative rock.[13]

[edit]Characteristics

The name "alternative rock" essentially serves as anumbrella termfor underground music that has emerged in

the wake ofpunk rocksince the mid-1980s.[14]

Throughout much of its history, alternative rock has been largely

defined by its rejection of thecommercialismof mainstream culture, although this could be contested ever

since some of the major alternative artists have achieved mainstream success or co-opted with the major

labels from the 1990s onwards (especially since the new millennium and beyond). Alternative bands during the

1980s generally played in small clubs, recorded for indie labels, and spread their popularity through word of

mouth.[15]

As such, there is no set musical style for alternative rock as a whole, althoughThe New York

Timesin 1989 asserted that the genre is "guitar music first of all, with guitars that blast out power chords, pick

out chiming riffs, buzz with fuzztone and squeal in feedback."[16]

Sounds range from the gloomy soundscapes

ofgothic rockto thejanglingguitars ofindie popto the dirty guitars ofgrungeto the '60s/'70s revivalism

ofBritpop.More often than in other rock-styles since the mainstreaming of rock music during the 1970s,

alternative rock lyrics tend to address topics of social concern, such as drug use, depression, and

environmentalism.[15]

This approach to lyrics developed as a reflection of the social and economic strains in the

United States and United Kingdom of the 1980s and early 1990s.[17]

[edit]History

[edit]Alternative rock in the 1980s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Farrellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Farrellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Farrellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Strausshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Strausshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Strausshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_Pistolshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_Pistolshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_Pistolshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Smithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Smithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Smithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Machine_Musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Machine_Musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Machine_Musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Fonarow-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Fonarow-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Fonarow-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_termhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_termhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_termhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercialismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercialismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercialismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britpophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-encarta-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercialismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_termhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Fonarow-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Machine_Musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Smithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_Pistolshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-1997Definition-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Strausshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Farrellhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addiction


5/13

One of the first popular alternative rock bands,R.E.M.relied oncollege radioairplay, constant touring, and a grassroots

fanbase to break into the musical mainstream.

By 1984, a majority of groups signed toindependent record labelswere mining from a variety of rock and

particularly 1960s rock influences. This represented a sharp break from the futuristic, hyper-rational post-punk

years.[18]

"Alternative music is music that hasn't yet achieved a mainstream audience, Alternative isn't new wave any more, it's a

disposition of mind. Alternative music is any kind of music that has the potential to reach a wider audience. It also has real

strength, real quality, real excitement, and it has to be socially significant, as opposed to Whitney Houston, which is Pablum"

Mark Josephson, Executive Director of theNew Music Seminarspeaking in 1988[19]

Throughout the 1980s, alternative rock was mainly an underground phenomenon. While on occasion a song

would become a commercial hit or albums would receive cr itical praise in mainstream publications likeRolling

Stone,alternative rock in the 1980s was primarily relegated toindependent record labels,fanzines,andcollege

radiostations. Alternative bands built underground followings by touring constantly and regularly releasing low-

budget albums. In the case of the United States, new bands would form in the wake of previous bands, which

created an extensive underground circuit in America, filled with different scenes in various parts of the

country.[14]

Although American alternative artists of the 1980s never generated spectacular album sales, they

exerted a considerable influence on later alternative musicians and laid the groundwork for their success.[20]

By

1989 the genre had become popular enough that a package tour featuringNew Order,Public Image

LimitedandThe Sugarcubestoured the United States arena circuit.[21]

In contrast, British alternative rock was distinguished from that of the United States early on by a more pop-

oriented focus (marked by an equal emphasis on albums and singles, as well as greater openness to

incorporating elements of dance and club culture) and a lyrical emphasis on specifically British concerns. As a

result, few British alternative bands have achieved commercial success in the US.[22]

Since the 1980s

alternative rock has been played extensively on the radio in the UK, particularly bydisc jockeyssuch asJohn

Peel(who championed alternative music onBBC Radio 1),Richard Skinner,andAnnie Nightingale.Artists that
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Music_Seminarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Music_Seminarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Music_Seminarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanzinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanzinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanzinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Image_Limitedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Image_Limitedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Image_Limitedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Image_Limitedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sugarcubeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sugarcubeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sugarcubeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_jockeyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_jockeyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_jockeyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Radio_1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Radio_1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Radio_1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Skinner_(broadcaster)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Skinner_(broadcaster)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Skinner_(broadcaster)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Nightingalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Nightingalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Nightingalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Padova_REM_concert_July_22_2003_blue.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Padova_REM_concert_July_22_2003_blue.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Padova_REM_concert_July_22_2003_blue.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Padova_REM_concert_July_22_2003_blue.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Nightingalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Skinner_(broadcaster)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Radio_1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_jockeyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sugarcubeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Image_Limitedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Image_Limitedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanzinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Music_Seminarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_labelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_radiohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.


6/13

had cult followings in the United States received greater exposure through British national radio and the weekly

music press, and many alternative bands had chart success there.[23]

[edit]The American underground in the 1980s

Kim GordonandThurston MooreofSonic Youth

Early American alternative bands such asR.E.M.,The FeeliesandViolent Femmescombined punk influences

withfolk musicand mainstream music influences. R.E.M. was the most immediately successful; its debut

album,Murmur(1983), entered the Top 40 and spawned a number ofjangle popfollowers. One of the many

jangle pop scenes of the early 1980s, Los Angeles'Paisley Undergroundrevived the sounds of the 1960s,

incorporating psychedelia, rich vocal harmonies and the guitar interplay of folk rock as well as punk and

underground influences such asThe Velvet Underground.[14]

American indie record labelsSST Records,Twin/Tone Records,Touch and Go Records,andDischord

Recordspresided over the shift from thehardcore punkthat then dominated the American underground scene

to the more diverse styles of alternative rock that were emerging.[24]

MinneapolisbandsHsker DandThe

Replacementswere indicative of this shift. Both started out as punk rock bands, but soon diversified their

sounds and became more melodic.[14]Michael Azerradasserted that Hsker D was the key link between

hardcore punk and the more melodic, diverse music ofcollege rockthat emerged. Azerrad wrote, "Hsker D

played a huge role in convincing the underground that melody and punk rock weren't antithetical." The band

also set an example by being the first group from the American indie scene to sign to a major record label,

which helped establish college rock as "a viable commercial enterprise."[25]

By focusing on heartfelt songwriting

and wordplay instead of political concerns, The Replacements upended a number of underground scene

conventions; Azerrad noted that "along with R.E.M. [The Replacements] were one of the few underground

bands that mainstream people liked."[26]

By the late 1980s, the American alternative scene was dominated by styles ranging from quirky alternative pop

(They Might Be GiantsandCamper Van Beethoven), tonoise rock(Sonic Youth,Big Black,The Jesus

Lizard[27]

)andindustrial rock(Ministry,Nine Inch Nails). These sounds were in turn followed by the advent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Gordonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Gordonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_Moorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_Moorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_Moorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feelieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feelieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feelieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violent_Femmeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violent_Femmeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violent_Femmeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murmur_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murmur_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murmur_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SST_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SST_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SST_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin/Tone_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin/Tone_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin/Tone_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_and_Go_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_and_Go_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_and_Go_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischord_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischord_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischord_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischord_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Reynolds390-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Reynolds390-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Replacements_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Replacements_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Replacements_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Replacements_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Azerradhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Azerradhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Azerradhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Might_Be_Giantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Might_Be_Giantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Might_Be_Giantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camper_Van_Beethovenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camper_Van_Beethovenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camper_Van_Beethovenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_Lizardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_Lizardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_Lizardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Inch_Nailshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Inch_Nailshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Inch_Nailshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SonicYouth.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SonicYouth.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SonicYouth.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SonicYouth.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Inch_Nailshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_Lizardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_Lizardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camper_Van_Beethovenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Might_Be_Giantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Azerradhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Replacements_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Replacements_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Reynolds390-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischord_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischord_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_and_Go_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin/Tone_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SST_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paisley_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murmur_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violent_Femmeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feelieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.E.M.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_Moorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Gordonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-22


7/13

ofBoston's thePixiesandLos Angeles'Jane's Addiction.[14]

Around the same time, thegrungesubgenre

emerged inSeattle,Washington.Grunge was based around a sludgy, murky guitar sound that

synthesizedheavy metaland punk rock.[28]

Largely based around the Seattle indie labelSub Pop,grunge

bands were noted for their thrift store fashion which favored flannel shirts and combat boots suited to the local

weather.[29]Early grunge bandsSoundgardenandMudhoneyfound critical acclaim in the U.S. and UK,

respectively.[14]

By the end of the decade, a number of alternative bands began to sign to major labels. While early major label

signings Hsker D and The Replacements had little success, acts who signed with majors in their wake such

as R.E.M. and Jane's Addiction achieved gold and platinum records, setting the stage for alternative's later

breakthrough.[30][31]

Some bands such as the Pixies had massive success overseas while they were ignored

domestically.[14]

[edit]British genres and trends of the 1980s

Robert SmithofThe Curerejects the genre labels like alternative,gothic rock,andcollege rockapplied to his band. He has

said, "Every time we went to America we had a different tag ... I can't remember when we officially became 'alt-rock'" .[32]

Gothic rockdeveloped out of late-1970s Britishpost-punk.With a reputation as the "darkest and gloomiest form

of underground rock", gothic rock utilizes a synthesizer-and-guitar based sound drawn from post-punk to

construct "foreboding, sorrowful, often epic soundscapes", and the genre's lyrics often address literary

romanticism, morbidity, religious symbolism, and supernatural mysticism.[33]

This genre among bands that took

inspiration from late-1970s British post-punk groups,Joy DivisionandSiouxsie and the Banshees.[34]

Bauhaus'

debut single "Bela Lugosi's Dead", released in 1979, is considered to be the proper beginning of the gothic rock

genre.[35]

The Cure's "oppressively dispirited" albumsSeventeen Seconds(1980),Faith(1981),

andPornography(1982) cemented that group's stature in that style and laid the foundation its large cult

following.[36]

The key British alternative rock band to emerge during the 1980s wasManchester'sThe Smiths.Music

journalistSimon Reynoldssingled out The Smiths and their American contemporaries R.E.M. as "the two most

important alt-rock bands of the day", commenting that they "were eighties bands only in the sense of

being againstthe eighties". Reynolds noted that The Smiths' "whole stance was predicated on their British
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bostonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bostonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bostonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(U.S._state)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(U.S._state)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(U.S._state)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_Pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_Pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_Pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-success_NYT-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-success_NYT-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-success_NYT-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudhoneyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudhoneyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudhoneyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_(musician)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_(musician)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Goth-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Goth-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Goth-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Divisionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Divisionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Divisionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siouxsie_and_the_Bansheeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siouxsie_and_the_Bansheeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela_Lugosi%27s_Deadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela_Lugosi%27s_Deadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela_Lugosi%27s_Deadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeen_Secondshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeen_Secondshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeen_Secondshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_(The_Cure_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_(The_Cure_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_(The_Cure_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smithshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smithshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smithshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Reynoldshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Reynoldshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Reynoldshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Robertsmith.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Robertsmith.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Robertsmith.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Robertsmith.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Reynoldshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smithshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_(The_Cure_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeen_Secondshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela_Lugosi%27s_Deadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siouxsie_and_the_Bansheeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Divisionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-Goth-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_(musician)http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudhoneyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-success_NYT-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_Pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(U.S._state)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston


8/13

audience being a lost generation, exiles in their own land".[37]

The Smiths' embrace of the guitar in an era of

synthesizer-dominated music is viewed as signaling the end of the New Wave era and the advent of alternative

rock in Britain. Despite the band's limited chart success and short career, The Smiths exerted an influence over

the British indie scene through the end of the decade, as various bands drew from singerMorrissey's English-

centered lyrical topics and guitaristJohnny Marr's jangly guitar-playing style.[22]TheC86cassette, a

1986NMEpremium featuringPrimal Scream,The Wedding Presentand others, was a major influence on the

development ofindie popand the Britishindie sceneas a whole.[38][39]

Other forms of alternative rock developed in the UK during the 1980s.The Jesus and Mary Chain's sound

combined theVelvet Underground's "melancholy noise" withBeach Boyspop melodies andPhil Spector's

"Wall of Sound"production,[40][41]

whileNew Orderemerged from the demise of post-punk band Joy Division

and experimented withtechnoandhouse music.[22]

The Mary Chain, along with Dinosaur Jr.,C86and

thedream popofCocteau Twins,were the formative influences for theshoegazingmovement of the late

1980s. Named for the band members' tendency to stare at their feet and guitareffects pedals[42]onstage rather

than interact with the audience, shoegazing acts likeMy Bloody ValentineandSlowdivecreated an

overwhelmingly loud "wash of sound" that obscured vocals and melodies with long, droning riffs, distortion, and

feedback.[43]

Shoegazing bands dominated the British music press at the end of the decade along with

theMadchesterscene. Based aroundThe Haienda,a nightclub in Manchester owned by New Order

andFactory Records,Madchester bands such asHappy MondaysandThe Stone Rosesmixedacid

housedance rhythms with melodic guitar pop.[44]

[edit]Popularization in the 1990s

"Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Sample of "Smells Like Teen

Spirit"fromNirvana's

breakthrough

albumNevermind(1991). The

sample illustrates the change

in dynamics from verse to

pre-chorus and chorus. This

structure of "quiet verses with

wobbly,chorusedguitar,followed by big,

loudhardcore-inspired

choruses" became a much-

emulated template in

alternative rock because of

"Teen Spirit."[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morrisseyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morrisseyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morrisseyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Marrhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Marrhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Marrhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primal_Screamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primal_Screamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primal_Screamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wedding_Presenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wedding_Presenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wedding_Presenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_and_Mary_Chainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_and_Mary_Chainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_and_Mary_Chainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_Boyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_Boyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_Boyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Spectorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Spectorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Spectorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Soundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Soundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Soundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocteau_Twinshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocteau_Twinshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocteau_Twinshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_pedalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_pedalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_pedalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_pedalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slowdivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slowdivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slowdivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ha%C3%A7iendahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ha%C3%A7iendahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ha%C3%A7iendahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Mondayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Mondayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Mondayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Roseshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Roseshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Roseshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_househttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_househttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_househttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_househttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NirvanaSmellsLikeTeenSpirit.ogghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NirvanaSmellsLikeTeenSpirit.ogghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorus_effecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorus_effecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorus_effecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-altguitar-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorus_effecthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NirvanaSmellsLikeTeenSpirit.ogghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_househttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_househttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Roseshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Mondayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_Recordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ha%C3%A7iendahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madchesterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-42http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slowdivehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_pedalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_pedalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocteau_Twinshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Soundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Spectorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_Boyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Undergroundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jesus_and_Mary_Chainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_music_scenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_pophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wedding_Presenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primal_Screamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-British_alt-rock-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Marrhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morrisseyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-36


9/13

Problems listening to this file? Seemedia help.

By the start of the 1990s, the music industry was enticed by alternative rock's commercial possibilities and

major labels actively courted bands includingJane's Addiction,Dinosaur Jr.,Firehose,andNirvana.[30]

In

particular, R.E.M.'s success had become a blueprint for many alternative bands in the late 1980s and 1990s to

follow; the group had outlasted many of its contemporaries and by the 1990s had become one of the most

popular bands in the world.[14]

The breakthrough success of the band Nirvana led to the widespread popularization of alternative rock in the

1990s. The release of the band's single "Smells Like Teen Spirit"from its second albumNevermind(1991)

"marked the instigation of the grunge music phenomenon". Due to constant airplay of the song's music video

onMTV,Nevermindwas selling 400,000 copies a week by Christmas 1991.[45]

The success

of Nevermindsurprised the music industry. Nevermindnot only popularized grunge, but also established "the

cultural and commercial viability of alternative rock in general."[46]

Michael Azerrad asserted

that Nevermindsymbolized "a sea-change in rock music" in which theglam metalthat had dominated rock

music at that time fell out of favor in the face of music that was authentic and culturally relevant.[47]

Nirvana's surprise success with Nevermindheralded a "new openness to alternative rock" among commercial

radio stations, opening doors for heavier alternative bands in particular.[48]

In the wake of Nevermind,

alternative rock "found itself dragged-kicking and screaming ... into the mainstream" and record companies,

confused by the genre's success yet eager to capitalize on it, scrambled to sign bands.[49]

The New York

Timesdeclared in 1993, "Alternative rock doesn't seem so alternative anymore. Every major label has a

handful of guitar-driven bands in shapeless shirts and threadbare jeans, bands with bad posture and good riffswho cultivate the oblique and the evasive, who conceal catchy tunes with noise and hide craftsmanship behind

nonchalance."[50]

However, many alternative rock artists rejected success, for it conflicted with the

rebellious,D.I.Y.ethic the genre had espoused before mainstream exposure and their ideas of artistic

authenticity.[51]

[edit]The grunge explosion

Main article:Grunge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Media_helphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Media_helphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Media_helphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur_Jr.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur_Jr.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur_Jr.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehose_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehose_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehose_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTVhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTVhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTVhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glam_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glam_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glam_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-decade-50http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-decade-50http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-decade-50http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grungehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alternative_rock&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-decade-50http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_ethichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-47http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glam_metalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTVhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-American_alt-rock-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-buzz-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehose_(band)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur_Jr.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane%27s_Addictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Media_help


10/13

Eddie VedderofPearl Jam

Other grunge bands subsequently replicated Nirvana's success.Pearl Jamhad released its debut albumTena

month beforeNevermindin 1991, but album sales only picked up a year later. By the second half of

1992 Tenbecame a breakthrough success, being certified gold and reaching number two on

theBillboard200album chart.[52]

Soundgarden's albumBadmotorfingerandAlice in Chains'Dirt,along with

theTemple of the Dogalbum collaboration featuring members ofPearl JamandSoundgarden,were also

among the 100 top-selling albums of 1992.[53]

The popular breakthrough of these grunge bands

promptedRolling Stoneto nickname Seattle "the newLiverpool."[29]

Major record labels signed most of the

prominent grunge bands in Seattle, while a second influx of bands moved to the city in hopes of success.[54]

At the same time, critics asserted that advertising was co-opting elements of grunge and turning it into a

fad.Entertainment Weeklycommented in a 1993 article, "There hasn't been this kind of exploitation of a

subculture since the media discovered hippies in the '60s."[55]

The New York Timescompared the "grunging of

America" to the mass-marketing of punk rock,disco,andhip hopin previous years. As a result of the genre's

popularity, a backlash against grunge developed in Seattle.[29]

Nirvana's follow-up albumIn Utero(1993) was

an intentionally abrasive album that Nirvana bassistKrist Novoselicdescribed as a "wild aggressive sound, a

true alternative record."[56]

Nevertheless, upon its release in September 1993 In Uterotopped

the Billboardcharts.

[57]

Pearl Jam also continued to perform well commercially with its secondalbum,Vs.(1993), which topped the Billboardcharts by selling a record 950,378 copies in its first week of

release.[58]

[edit]Britpop

Main article:Britpop
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Vedderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Vedderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_(Pearl_Jam_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_(Pearl_Jam_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_(Pearl_Jam_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermindhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-51http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-51http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badmotorfingerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badmotorfingerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badmotorfingerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Chainshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Chainshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Chainshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirt_(Alice_in_Chains_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirt_(Alice_in_Chains_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirt_(Alice_in_Chains_album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_the_Dog_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_the_Dog_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_the_Dog_(album)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgardenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-52http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-52http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-52http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-success_NYT-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-success_NYT-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-success_NYT-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-53http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-53http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-53http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weeklyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weeklyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weeklyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-54http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_rock#cite_note-54http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Timeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di

Documents

Alternative Rock