The document discusses aspects of alternative rock music and magazines related to the genre. It notes that alternative rock allows for more variety in style compared to classic rock. Common visual elements of alternative rock include scratchy or distorted typography, dark colors like black and red, and serious or unusual facial expressions in band photos. However, there is also variation within the genre. The document provides examples of different clothing styles and expressions used by different alternative rock bands.

2. I have chosen alternative Rock because I think there is a lot you can do with this genre, as the style
of it is a little more varied than classic rock and so has more choice with what you can do with it.
The genre can be identified normally by things such as scratchy or distorted typography, dark
colours (most often blacks and reds) and group band photos often with serious or somewhat odd
facial expressions. However due to being quite a bit of variation within the genre one or two things
are subject to the band they may be talking about. So for example whilst some may wear leather
jackets and ripped jeans, some may wear some more simple clothing or even more odd out of the
ordinary clothing such as old fashioned suits for group photos. Colours can also widely vary, and
bright colors may be used for some bands as they may be more upbeat than others.

3. Skyline
Masthead
Main Image
Long-shot group
photo
Headline
Anchorage
Footer
Cover line
Serious/dark
expression
Serif typography

4. Skyline
The green serif font makes it bold and attractive to the
eye. The serif font has connotations of looking
somewhat sophisticated. The colour green is symbolically
associated with happiness, which implies the magazine is
full of information and stories readers of the magazine
will be happy to hear. Green is also an iconic sign of
safety, which can be read as saying that the magazine is
safe to read and creates a positive atmosphere about the
magazine. This would be the preferred reading. However,
green can also have connotations of greed and sickliness,
as money is often associated with green (due to dollar
bills being green coloured) and when people are sick
they are said to turn “green”. This implies the magazine
just wants your money and doesn’t care about it’s
content. It’s contents may be bad or “sickly”, either being
a bad influence or just badly made. This oppositional
reading may be indexical however as not many people
may associate it with money, however it is slightly more
likely that people may associate green with sickness, and
so this could possibly be a more symbolic sign.
Masthead
The masthead is large and red with a slightly
distorted look to it which makes it iconic, as it
clearly marks the magazine as an alternative
press magazine. The distorted text used for the
masthead has a cool modern look about it and
is a symbolic sign of the magazine being an
alternative rock magazine as the font is
atypical, and so can be seen as being an
“alternative” font, therefore it would seem
appealing to the target audience. The red
colour is also a symbolic sign of passion,
energy and being bold, which is what these
“alternative” rock bands are put forwards as
being as they “break the stereotypical mold”
of the music industry. That would be the
preferred reading, but the oppositional
reading may be that the magazine is
dangerous as red is a symbolic sign of danger.
This could be read as meaning the magazine
has harmful content within it or even that
alternative rock music is dangerous, but this
would be an indexical reading as few people
would actively read it as meaning that
alternative rock is dangerous.

5. Main Image
The main image is a long-shot group photo which allows
the whole band to be viewed, showing the reader the
main artist featured in that issue of the magazine. The
preferred reading of this is that because the band are
dressed in dated clothing and have serious facial
expressions, they have connotations of looking “classy”,
“edgy” and slightly mysterious. They look very
“alternative” in the way that are dressed, and therefore
suit the description of an alternative rock band. An
oppositional reading would be that they look
intimidating as they are all posed together looking rather
serious and so are not a band you’d really want to be
interested in. This would be an indexical reading as most
people who see that picture would understand that it is
a band photo that is meant to look serious, not meant to
appear threatening. Another oppositional reading would
be that they might be “old fashioned” as the clothes they
are wearing appear to look dated, and dated clothing has
symbolic connotations of the past and old style.
Headline and Coverline
The headline is in a red serif font which catches
the eye quickly and prominently makes the
band’s name stand out. The serif font extends
the idea of the classy look of the band shown in
the main image, and so is symbolic of the classy
and alternative image presented of the band.
The colour red has symbolic connotations of
passion and love, and so an indexical
interpretation of the preferred reading would be
that these represent the band’s love and passion
for the music that they are writing. It could also
be read as the love they have for their fans, or
even the love and passion that their fans have
for them. Red also has symbolic connotations of
danger, which may lead to an oppositional
reading of this band being one to avoid as they
are dangerous, or a warning as to say that they
aren’t all they seem to be. The cover line is also
in this same sans serif font and red colour, which
added to the words “no fences, no borders”
makes it seem edgy and slightly wild. An
oppositional reading could show red as being
dangerous and harmful though, therefore
implying the band is dangerous.

6. Skyline with
cover lines and
anchorage
Masthead
Pug/Puff
Pug/Puff
Secondary
images
Headline
Main Image
High angle long-shot
Script
Typography
Cover lines
Script
Typography
Excited Expression
(Excited to “return”)

7. Masthead
The masthead is in a bold white sans serif font
with a slightly scratchy effect, which makes it
iconic as the logo for the Rock Sound magazine.
White is a symbolic sign of goodness and light
which may be read as the magazine being well-
intentioned with nothing too foul within in. The
preferred reading for this would be that the
magazine is full of good stories and gossip, and
so is full of “goodness”, and that it is
lighthearted and fun to read. However, white
isn’t a colour often associated with rock music,
so an oppositional and indexical reading may be
that it’s a bad rock magazine, as alternative rock
music is supposed to delve into political and
sometimes rather dark themes instead of going
with the stereotypical positive messages of pop
music. White represents happiness and
positivity which could be argued is not what
alternative rock music is about. More often
white’s opposite colour, black, is associated with
rock, hence why this indexical reading may be
decoded by some.
Main Image
The main image is a high angle long shot, which makes
it look like the main artist is jumping up excitedly to see
the reader, so could be read as the singer being
enthusiastic about fans. Her excited expression also is
iconic of the fact that the band is “returning”, so may be
read as her being excited to return, which would be the
preferred reading. The rest of the band are pulling more
serious facial expressions, which have connotations of
appearing “cool” and grounded. This could be an
indexical sign too, as it could be read as the band keeps
her grounded whilst she uplifts the band’s spirits and
gives them motivation, and so therefore work well
together as a band and will work together better than
before. However, this serious expression could lead to
an oppositional reading, as these serious expressions
can be interpreted as boredom or a lack of interest so
may imply that the rest of the band aren’t really as
excited about returning as the main singer and may
have been forced into returning. An indexical
interpretation of this could be that they don’t truly care
about the music and maybe are in it for other things
such as they money, else they’d make effort to look
excited or pull some kind of interesting facial expression
in the photograph.

8. Headline
The headline is made up of a short section in yellow script font, and
then a more prominent, large piece of text in white serif font with an
added 3D effect. This effect makes it look the band’s name is jumping
out of the page, much like the singer herself is jumping towards the
camera lens in the photograph. The yellow script typography is bright
and has connotations of signatures due to the handwriting like script,
which therefore links to bands, as bands often give out signatures.
Yellow is symbolic of happiness and energy, both things that the band
can be read as having, especially as further backed up and shown in
the main image. This is the preferred reading, but an oppositional
reading could be that yellow is also symbolic of caution or danger, and
so the band may be dangerous and not a very nice group of people or
a good band. The large white text with a 3D effect could be read as
having positive connotations, as people often enjoy seeing 3D movies
nowadays, and an indexical sign could be that the band is enjoyable or
more enjoyable and has the same sensation to see or listen to as a 3D
film. White also is symbolic of light, which can be read as meaning the
band is positive and lighthearted and are a happy positive band. An
oppositional reading to that preferred reading could be that 3D films
can give people headaches and make people feel sick and so could
imply that the band is really bad and discordant so may make you feel
equally ill. This would be indexical however, as most people think of 3D
movies as a positive experience rather than associating them instantly
with feeling sick.

9. Masthead
Main image
Close Up
Secondary
Images
Sections
Headline
Scratchy
typography

10. Masthead
The masthead is in a white serif font with a red border, black outline
and a scratchy damage worn effect. White has connotations of
perfection whilst dark red has connotations of willpower. Therefore,
these two colours as the preferred reading may be a symbolic sign for
saying that the magazine writers are strongly willed to write the
“perfect” magazine and will do whatever it takes to make the perfect
magazine. They have the willpower to write a good magazine no
matter the circumstance. However, these colours can lead to an
oppositional reading as well, as white’s symbolic connotations of
purity and light highly contrast with dark red’s other symbolic
connotations such as anger, malice and wrath. This could be read as
making the magazine being untrustworthy, as it is projecting two
completely opposite messages at once, and therefore it is difficult to
decipher what exactly the magazine is trying to say. The red could be
read as saying the magazine is hateful with themes of anger and
hatred towards things being littered throughout, and so the magazine
may be seen as a bad influence. White can be read as light and purity
which implies that magazine is full of positive and kind messages
which would serve as a good influence. These confused messages on
their own could be read as symbolic as these connotations of red and
white are commonly known, but the fact these conflicting messages
make the magazine untrustworthy are more of an indexical sign, as
most people wouldn’t read into it so deeply.

11. Main Image
The main image is a close up shot of the band’s faces which makes them look like they are
up close to the reader. The expression of the center band member adds to this, as
someone with their finger against their lips is symbolic of keeping quiet about a secret, so
may be read as the band sharing a secret with the reader, maybe something written in the
magazine is never before released information about the band, therefore making it seem
“secretive”. This has an oppositional reading however as someone “shushing” you can be
seen as rude and vain, so an indexical reading could be that the band member is telling
the reader to shut up and listen to them as they are important and should be listened to.
The fact they are in the center of the photo accentuates this as by being in the center he is
the center of attention, and so adds to his apparent self importance. The band member
on the left has his eyes covered, but is peeking through his fingers, which has
connotations that he is looking at something he shouldn’t or is rather shy. This can be read
as the band member being cheeky looking towards the audience, because he wants to see
them though he shouldn’t or that even though he’s shy he still wants to see the reader,
which may be seen as somewhat endearing. And indexical oppositional reading could be
that the band member is being rude as he won’t look at the camera properly and doesn’t
really want to look towards the reader, which can be read as meaning he doesn’t actually
care about his fans. The member on the right is seen posing, which is symbolic of
confidence and so can be read as the band member being a confident person who is
confident about their music and what they do. An oppositional reading though could be
that posing in positions such as that is symbolic of vanity, as he seems to be posing to the
camera a lot like a person would pose in front of a mirror or in a fashion magazine, so
therefore implying this band member is vain and may think he is better than other people.

12. Pug/Puff
Headline
Anchorage
SectionsMasthead
Sans Serif Font
Main Image
Longshot

13. Headline
The headline is written in a bold black sans serif
font which makes it stick out and catch the eye
quickly. This headline is written very much like a
newspaper headline with nothing special about
font font or the way it is typed to make it really
stand out. This could be read as implying that this
magazine is more serious and more about the
writing and articles than it is about the graphic
design, which could be an indexical sign for saying
that this magazine is very dedicated to writing the
best articles it can and so has good content within
it. Bold black font is also symbolic of importance,
and so can be read as the article being important
to read with interesting information within the
article. Compared to this though, the oppositional
reading could be that by making the headline very
newspaper like, it is boring and far too formal for
a music magazine. Newspapers are symbolic of
printing out important news. It lacks passion and
interest which is what music is all about, and so
therefore may be read as saying that this is not a
good music magazine.
Main Image
The main image is a long shot photograph which seems to
have been taken by either a reader of the magazine and
then sent in to the editor, or by a reporter who was in the
audience at the time. The setting of a church is symbolic
of romance and purity so the preferred reading would be
Kasabian is trying to seem romantic and maybe pure, as
he is singing in a church. However, an oppositional reading
could be that Kasabian are defacing religion, as they
themselves are not religious and are singing songs with
controversial subjects and sometimes offensive lyrics
within a place of such respect and tradition. It may also be
read as Kasabian not being a very good alternative rock
band, as the connotations of church and alternative rock
are very different to each other, and are rarely associated
with each other. The guitarist on the left is seen playing
the guitar with a somewhat solemn expression, which is
symbolic of serious subjects and romance, and since
they’re singing romantic songs it’s therefore suitable he
should have this facial expression and the preferred
reading would be that he is focused on his music and
really tapping into the emotion of the song. An indexical
oppositional reading may be that he looks bored, as he
isn’t looking at the audience or looking particularly happy,
so it could imply he doesn’t care about the concert he’s
doing and may even be bored by it.

14. Masthead
The masthead is in a bold red sans serif font with a white outline around
it, which makes it stand out brightly and catch the eye. This masthead is
iconic, as it tells the reader exactly what magazine it is and so also tells
the reader what the contents of the magazine would be. Red is a
symbolic sign of strength and passion, leading the reader to possibly
assume that this magazine has a team of writers that are passionate
about their product and have great strength to achieve the things that
they want to within each magazine. This preferred reading may also be
read as alternative rock being a strong genre of music with passionate
artists within it that truly care about the music they write. An
oppositional reading to this may be to do with the fact that red is also
symbolic of danger and fire, so this masthead could be read as saying
that alternative rock or the magazine are a danger. An indexical
interpretation could be that the things they promote within the magazine
or a band’s songs could lead to a bad lifestyle that is dangerous not only
to the reader, but others around them too.

15. HeadlineStrapline
Main Image
Medium Long shot Secondary
Images
Columns

16. Strapline
The strapline comprises red sans serif font with a scratchy effect, a black
background a a red banner sticking out the side with small stars in it and text
in white sans serif font. The red colour for the font and banner has
connotations of importance, which is a symbolic sign and the preferred
reading would be that this article they are reading is of importance and from
reading it would learn new, exciting information. Red is also symbolic of
danger though, so the oppositional reading may be that the article contains
dangerous information that should not be read. The stars on the banner are
symbolic of light and of important messages (e.g. in the Bible the star told
people where Jesus was born), and so could be read as saying that this article
is full of positive important information. Stars are also symbolic of celebrity
status so also highlights the fact that the article is about people seen as role-
models and so are important to many readers. This connotation of celebrity
status to stars though can also lead to negative, oppositional readings, as a
celebrity lifestyle is often seen as being idealistic and so may guide people to
live with an unrealistic idea of what they may be able to achieve or live like in
the future. Celebrity culture is also often associated with things like drugs
and alcohol, so an indexical reading would be that the article is trying to
convince people that this article will be showing these things in a positive
light.

17. Headline
The headline is in a red and white sans serif font with a scratchy effect and
made to look slanted on the page. The scratchy effect on the writing makes
it look somewhat gritty, so the preferred reading may be that the band is a
serious alternative rock band and may have taken knocks in the past but
are still standing strong, as scratches like that also have connotations of
damage being inflicted upon something. This could lead to an oppositional
reading however, as some may see this scratchy overlay of the next as an
indexical sign that the article is damaging to people, and so people should
stay away from it. The slanted text is unconventional, and so represents
alternative rock music as the genre is known for trying to stay away from
the conformity and conventions of pop music (even if it doesn’t achieve
this). This would be the preferred reading, but an oppositional reading may
be that since the writing is slanted it’s being pushed off of being on a
straight line or path, the article may cause good people reading the
magazine to fall away from the good straight path and onto a bad path with
decisions that cause twists and turns on slanted, descending path. This
would be an indexical sign however, as not many would read so deeply into
this and not everyone will necessarily connote slanted things as being
“knocked off the trodden path”.

18. Main Image
The main image is a medium long shot, edited to have a sepia tone to it. The singer is looking
away from the audience yet gripping onto a microphone, implying that he’s listening to the
rest of the band for when to come in, which is further backed up by the fact that a drummer
can be seen blurrily in the background with his drumsticks raised as though he’s half way
through playing or about to begin. This can be preferably read as the singer being really
passionate about his music as he is fully concentrating on what he’s doing, and is even putting
his entire body into the performance. This also can read as meaning he’s enjoying performing
as if he’s using his whole body in the performance he must be enjoying himself as he’s putting
his heart and soul into it. In an oppositional reading, some may see this body language of
looking down at the floor as a bored or hateful action. An indexical interpretation could be
that he is looking away from the audience and so therefore doesn’t care for his fans or the
audience. He doesn’t really enjoy performing and would rather be elsewhere, as if he is
looking at the floor he must be bored. Someone who isn’t within the target audience may mot
read this as being simply being for affect within the performance. The sepia tones adds extra
levels of darkness to the image as everything is reduced to a grey-ish hue, and dark colours are
symbolic of alternative rock, so the preferred reading would be that they are a serious, true
alternative rock band. Another preferred reading may be to do with the fact that sepia tone is
symbolic of old photographs, so this sepia tone implies that the band is a classic and should be
remembered throughout the ages just as old sepia toned photographs last and are
remembered through the ages. An oppositional reading may be that the band is old news or
old fashioned due to the iconic sepia tone of the photograph and so may not be interesting as
they aren’t flashy and new-looking.

19. Main ImageHeadline
Columns
Block Quote
Secondary
Images
Strapline

20. Main Image
The main image is a high angle long shot which makes it look like the reader is
being looked up at by the band. Looking up at someone is symbolic of respect, so a
preferred reading of this may be that the band respects its fans. However, the band
are all standing together as a group and the main singer of the band is standing in a
position that could be read as making him look as though he is challenging
someone, so an oppositional reading could be that the band is threatening the
reader or challenging them. The main singer of the band is also wearing red, which
has connotations of passion and willpower, implying that he is passionate about his
band and has a strong will to make he best music he can and entertain his fans. An
oppositional reading could stem from this red colour however, as red is also
symbolic of danger and lust, suggesting that the main singer is a bad influence and
has dangerous messages in his songs which could cause young people to be
influenced in a negative way. The singer at the back seems to be pulling a fake
smile, which can be read as being sarcastic in order to be funny, which is the
preferred reading, but it can easily be read as the oppositional reading of he really
doesn’t care and doesn’t want to be there, else he wouldn’t have to fake his smile.

21. Headline
The headline comprises a pink script font and a sans serif red font with a
scratchy overlay effect. Pink according the colour theory is symbolic of
friendship, passiveness and love. This therefore can lead to a preferred
reading that the band is a friendly group of people that aren’t aggressive
and love their fans. It could also be interpreted that the band members
have strong friendships with each other or even that the magazine itself
promotes positive messages of friendship and love. However, according to
colour theory pink is also symbolic of sexuality, and so the oppositional
reading may take this sign to mean that the magazine promotes sexuality
and so could be a bad influence to people and possibly promote a
promiscuous lifestyle, though this is likely indexical as not everyone
instantly relates pink to sexuality. The big bold red font stands out, and so
the preferred reading would be that this is a stand out band that boldly
stands above the rest and has great talent. However, these things have
connotations of arrogance, and so some may read it as saying the band
thinks that they’re better than anyone else and are arrogant and selfish.