2. H I S T O R Y O F G E N R E
WHERE IT CAME FROM
- Umbrella term for underground music
-Underground - appeals to people who are anti-
authoritative.
- Emerged in wake of punk rock in the 1980's
- Was a reflection of social and economic strains in the US
and UK.
- UK strains where to do with Margret Thatcher and the
recession
- Came around when rock bands started incorporating
other genres of music with rock e.g reggae, punk, folk
- Genre hyrbridity and punk was about rebellion
WHO STARTED IT
- It started with the band REM in the 1980's
- REM were making a start in alternative rock and their
success rose at the same time alternative rock started
becoming popular
- They started making alternative rock popular with air
time (college radios) which boosted their commercial
success.
- REM were a massive stadium band and were
considered to be on of the biggest bands at the time
MEANING OF ALTERNATIVE
- The world alternative means to differ from.
- In this context it's to be unorthodox or
nonconforming.
- Alternative rock doesn't conform to existing
genres, attitudes, sounds or lyrics
- Often described as 'anti-mainstream' or not
'normal'
- Differs through its social context and
regional roots
ALTERNATIVE OVER TIME
- After the breakthrough of Nirvana it entered
mainstream success in the 1990's
- End of decade its acclaim denounced but grunge
music was still popular
- 1990's and early 2000's several bands emerged
revamping alternative rocks popularity
- 21st century, original bands (Nirvana & Hole) broke
up, replaced by modern indie bands.
- Meaning changed and alternative is now more
mainstream
3. A R T I S T S
1980's 1990's
R.E.M NIRVANA
American rock/grunge band
Formed in 1987
Considered to be the most influential
rock bands of the 'modern era'
Inspire and influence modern rock &
roll culture
Denounced commercialism with their
grunge sound
Found unexpected success with their
hit 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (1991)
Popularized alternative rock
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame in 2014
Sold over 25 million records in US
and 75 million world wide
Career ended after death of lead
singer Kurt Cobain due to
suicide
American rock band
Formed in 1980
One of the first alternative rock bands
Told people about political and
environmental concerns
Seen as the pioneer of alternative
rock by bands like Nirvana in the early
90's
Sold 85 million records worldwide
World's best selling music artists of all
time
2007 band inducted into Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame
Los Angeles Times "United States
most liberal and politically correct rock
bands"
4. A R T I S T S
2000's 2010's
ARCTIC MONKEYS TWENTY ONE PILOTS
American musical duo
Formed in 2009
Alternative as people find it hard to
apply a genre to them
Purpose is to 'make people think'
Recognized for their lyrics and
mature and different sounds
Breakthrough success with album
Blurryface
First alternative artist with two
concurrent top ten singles in US
Signed with record label Fueled By
Ramen
They have sold out Madison Square
Garden
Inspire millions with their lyrics, logo
and motto 'Stay Alive'
Tackle modern topics.
English band from Sheffield
Formed in 2002
People say they represent change in the
way new bands are promoted
Usually categorized under indie rock a
subgenre of alternative rock
Won 7 Brit awards
Nominated for 3 Grammys
Won Mercury Prize once and nominated
3 times
Music matures and sounds differ with
each album
True to their rock and roll sound
Debut album is the fastest selling
album in British History
Came to public attention via the internet