Alternative music has come a long way since its birth. Since its creation, alternative has given birth to numerous subgenres like grunge, indie rock and gothic rock that each possess distinct sounds but share one thing in common: breaking free of mainstream mainstream musical molds.
Many alternative bands evoke the DIY spirit of 1980s punk music through their lyrics, as well as generational discontentment in their audience.
It’s a catch-all term
Alternative music refers to genres that don’t fit neatly into mainstream categories of music, initially popular in the 1980s as an umbrella term referring to any rock genre not considered classic or hard rock but still had a large fan base. Over time it became associated with DIY mentalities and independent record labels. College radio played an instrumental part in championing alternative bands and helping introduce them to wider audiences, often giving artists freedom to create innovative works combining multiple musical genres into something truly their own.
As alternative music gained greater traction during the 1980s, other umbrella genres emerged, such as grunge and gothic rock. These subgenres arose out of an attempt to break from mainstream musical molds by creating more abstract forms of music that did not fall neatly into traditional genres. Over time, however, these genres also served as political statements against corporate music as they disapproved of mainstream values.
The 1990s witnessed an intense shift in alternative music genre. Thanks to bands like Nirvana and R.E.M, which became widely-popular at that time, more commercial forms of alternative music such as pop music eventually crept in, thus uprooting alternative fans from its core audience and leaving many wondering whether listening to pop meant becoming less alternative. This transition into mainstream culture led to controversy within alternative circles; many fans began questioning if liking pop music meant they weren’t so “alternative”.
Alternative music has a rich and long-standing tradition, yet is hard to define precisely. The term encompasses various genres from jangle pop to post-hardcore punk. Subgenres such as garage alternative and gothic rock remain popular today and it may even encompass hip hop or rap which may sometimes fall within this genre’s purview.
While alternative music may seem intangible, it’s essential to remember that its definition was created by record labels and MTV to differentiate rock acts from the increasingly pop-oriented sounds of their time. Though this style might appear disparate to some listeners, its roots lie within punk rock’s predecessor genre: punk. Punk’s influence sparked new wave and post-punk styles that define alternative music today – all contributing styles that define its individual character.
It’s a sub-genre
Alternative music has an expansive and rich history ranging from punk rock to gothic rock. Emerging during the late 1980s and gaining widespread popularity during the 1990s, “alternative” referred to bands on independent labels that did not fall into one of the mainstream genres of their time; generally characterized by guitar-driven melodies accompanied by bass and drum sounds and lyrics focused on social issues – this movement offered an alternative perspective against glam rock and hair metal of previous decades.
Alternative rock has developed into numerous subgenres, such as grunge, Britpop and shoegaze. All three genres share one thing in common – they were all developed in underground music scenes. Alternative rock also influenced hip-hop music as well as modern forms such as electronica.
Nirvana’s 1991 hit Smells Like Teen Spirit kicked off the grunge era and gave alternative music an enormous surge of popularity. The song featured loud guitar riffs and Kurt Cobain’s distinct vocals; alternative rock gave artists room to express their individual creativity while reaching an ever-widening audience.
As opposed to pop and new wave music, which relied heavily on commercial formulas for success, alternative rock was often less structured and more experimental, helping it grow into an artistic form of rock music. Furthermore, alternative artists could express their political or personal beliefs more freely instead of conforming to an industry template for success.
Alternative musicians are known for their energetic live shows and catchy hooks, but some also create songs that are more reflective and introspective. Brand New’s song “Jesus Christ” explores life and death through poetic lyrics which provoke thought without being as upbeat and uplifted as other alternative tracks.
In the 1990s, alternative music gained immense popularity both in America and Britain. Artists from both nations expanded their fan bases through exploring individual musical styles; as genre boundaries began to blur. Groups such as The Sex Pistols and Joy Division in Britain led the way for punk and gothic subgenres; while American acts such as Sonic Youth and Violent Femmes created garage and noise rock.
It’s a movement
Alternative music was first coined during the 1980s to describe rock bands that did not fall within the mainstream music genre of their time. Although its beginnings began in America, its influence soon reached other nations worldwide. Today, alternative music encompasses many musical styles ranging from pop, new wave, punk rock, post-punk and college/indie rock to DIY ethos independent record labels as well as having had significant influences such as hip-hop and rap music.
At its inception, alternative music was defined by a signature sound characterized by loud guitars with layers of distortion and gritty vocals. Many alternative artists used their music to criticize social and political issues affecting today’s society, such as racism and classism; alternative artists also frequently attacked status quo politics like racism. Their music captured young people’s frustration at listening to overproduced tunes without having a say.
Alternative rock experienced tremendous growth throughout the 1990s through multiple platforms, such as radio and television broadcasting. This gave it its own distinct identity from more mainstream forms of glam rock and heavy metal of that era. Nirvana’s hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit” launched an alternative revolution and propelled alternative music forward dramatically during that decade.
As the alternative music scene evolved, artists experimented with various sounds to produce distinctive and original songs. Some artists included jazz, country and reggae influences in their compositions while others used more modern production techniques such as electronic instruments and voice distortion to reach an intrepid and varied audience dominated by emo and hair metal artists before.
In the early 2000s, alternative music saw an immense surge of popularity from artists like Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey and Marina and the Diamonds. Furthermore, alternative hip-hop also experienced growth thanks to artists such as Mos Def, De La Soul and Kids in the Hall who made an impactful statement with this genre which blends influences from funk rock jazz with rapping and reggae rapping.
It’s a label
Alternative music is a genre of rock music that does not fall within mainstream genres and has strong associations with independent record labels and DIY culture. It often blends punk’s aggression and rebellion with rock melodies and song structures for a unique sound, giving this musical genre its versatility and longstanding impact on popular culture – it continues to gain ground every year.
At first, alternative music referred to bands that bucked mainstream standards and performed under independent record labels. Their fame would often spread via word-of-mouth and tours; their artists typically donned black clothing with grunge aesthetics while using guitars with distortion to give their music an edgy edge. Over time however, the genre expanded to encompass any rock music outside traditional categories like heavy metal and classic rock such as new wave, post punk, and gothic rock – including new wave, post punk, and gothic rock among many others.
Alternative music first gained widespread acceptance during the 1980s due to college radio stations that supported and exposed alternative bands to a wider audience. This movement created new generations of fans – especially within America where bands like The Police, R.E.M and GoGos became immensely popular.
As the genre evolved, it began incorporating elements of other musical genres – such as funk, reggae and jazz – while remaining heavily influenced by pop and punk music that had existed decades prior to its emergence in alternative. Together these styles helped form a new musical scene spanning both America and Britain.
Alternative music was instrumental in shaping cultural trends and attitudes throughout society, giving birth to a whole generation of young musicians whose influence continues to spread globally.
Although alternative music has diminished somewhat over time, it still plays an integral part of modern society and is enjoyed by people of all ages.