2. . Alternative rock is a genre of rock music that emerged from
the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely
popular by the 1990s and 2000s.
. The name "alternative rock“ serves as an umbrella term for underground
music that has emerged in the wake of punk rock since the mid-1980s.
. Alternative bands during the 1980s generally played in small clubs,
recorded for indie labels, and spread their popularity through word of mouth.
. As such, there is no set musical style for alternative rock as a whole,
although The New York Times in 1989 asserted that the genre is "guitar
music first of all, with guitars that blast out power chords, pick out chiming
riffs, buzz with fuzz tone and squeal in feedback.“
. Sounds range from the gloomy soundscapes of gothic rock to
the jangling guitars of indie pop to the dirty guitars of grunge to the '60s/'70s
revivalism of Britpop.
. Alternative rock lyrics tend to address topics of social concern, such as
drug use, depression, and environmentalism. 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.
. With the breakthrough of Nirvana and the popularity of the grunge and
Britpop movements in the 1990s, alternative rock entered the musical
mainstream and many alternative bands became commercially successful.
3. Artists
. One of the first alternative rock bands to emerge were ‘The The’, an English
band that formed in 1979.
. In 1980 the American band R.E.M formed. One of the first
popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's
ringing guitar style and Stipe's unclear vocals.
. Radiohead, an English band, formed in 1985, releasing their debut single
"Creep" in 1992.
. American alternative rock band Nirvana was formed in 1987 by
singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic.
. English band Oasis formed in 1991. Its members were signed
to independent record label Creation Records and afterwards released their
record-setting debut album Definitely Maybe in 1994.
. In 1994 American alternative rock band Foo Fighters was founded
by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the death
of Kurt Cobain and the resulting dissolution of his previous band.
4. . The White Stripes, an American rock duo, formed in 1997. The group
consisted of the songwriter Jack White (vocals, guitar, and keyboards) and
drummer Meg White (drums and occasional vocals).
. American alternative rock band The Strokes formed in 1998. Upon the
release of their debut album Is This It in 2001, the group met much critical
acclaim.
. English rock band Arctic Monkeys were formed in High Green in 2002.
. Friendly Fires is an English band that formed in 2006 in St Albans. They
are currently signed to XL Recordings.
. In 2007 English band White Lies from Ealing formed. Formerly known as
Fear of Flying, the band consists primarily of Harry McVeigh (lead vocals,
guitar), Charles Cave (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Jack Lawrence-
Brown (drums).
. Passion Pit is an American alternative rock band from Cambridge,
Massachusetts, formed in 2007.
. In 2011 English rock band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds formed as
the solo moniker of former Oasis lead guitarist/songwriter Noel Gallagher.
The band originates from Manchester and includes former Oasis session
pianist Mike Rowe, drummer Jeremy Stacey of The Lemon Trees, The
Zutons bassist Russell Pritchard and guitarist Tim Smith.
5. Videos
These are two music videos of the alternative rock genre:
‘Falling Down’ by Oasis –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPcq0SBe6N4
‘Bigger Than Us’ by White Lies –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW0yynlDmqQ
6. Conventions
• Both videos are narrative based. The video for ‘Falling Down’ depicts a
woman who is supposed to be part of the Royal Family who enjoys
parties, one night stands and drugs. When she meets the band in the
video, the members refuse to shake her hand because of the way she
hides her party lifestyle. Whereas the video for ‘Bigger Than Us’
recreates elements of E.T.'s apparent death whilst he is quarantined
alongside Elliott. The character of E.T. is played by a large "Bigger than
Us" candy bar which contains a young girl, Elliot is watched over by
Gertie and Mary whilst what may be Greg and Steve wait outside.
• In both videos all the members of each band, Oasis and White Lies,
appear.
• There are intertextual references in both videos. The video for ‘Falling
Down’ references the Royal Family. In comparison the video for ‘Bigger
Than Us’ is a homage to Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T. the Extra-
Terrestrial and there are many references to the film throughout the
video.
