Creation
Alternative rock is a genre
of music that alienated itself from the main genre of Rock n’ roll during the
late 1900’s. Alternative rock was
brought about during the 1980’s but didn't gain much popularity until the
1990’s came about. The alternative rock
sound differed from the main stream version of Rock n’ roll, hence its name as alternative
rock. During the 1990’s alternative rock
became more than just a different sound, it became a symbol and culture that
countered that of the traditional American ideology.
The Bands That Changed it All
| The Clash were a British punk band, but had a very heavy influence on alternative rock |
| Nirvana accidentally helped mainstream alternative rock |
| The Pixies were a very influential alternative rock group |
| R.E.M was one of the first alternative rock bands
One
of the bands that tremendously helped pave the way for modern alternative rock
bands was R.E.M. R.E.M. combined the
genres of punk rock with folk style music resulting in a great amount of
success for the band throughout the 1980’s and well into the 1990’s. Alternative rock became more of a counter
culture to American ideology during the 1990’s. R.E.M. is heavily credited for
inventing the original alternative rock sound of the 1980’s. They were one of the first alternative bands
that enjoyed a colossal amount of succese. R.E.M. formed as an underground alternative band in Athens, Georgia in
1980. They created their own style by
separating their sound from mainstream rock and merging punk-rock sound with
folk rock instrumentation and meditative lyrics. Their sound swayed a
generation of alternative rock bands such as Nirvana to explore music in a
different way.
Style
While there's no definite or defined style, many alternative rockers associated themselves with darker or black clothing. Leather and studs also became popular and were also a staple found in wardrobes.
    Message and Different Groups
Alternative rock bands send different messages within their songs including
a variety of topics such as political, social and anti-establishment. Alternative rock supporters are divided into
three sub-groups. The first sub-group is the political punks, the second
sub-group is the apolitical punks, and the third group is the straight
edgers. The members of these three groups are all intrigued with the idea and ideology of rebellion. However, each group has their own individual philosophy
of rebellion.The general alternative
rock ideology of rebellion is to rebel against numerous facets of American
life.
A political punk group. Political punks want a civilization in which
order is self-regulated and
not externally enforced.
|
 |
| Apolitical punks also rebel against the idea of control by mainstream, but it differs from the political punk’s belief of rebellion because apolitical punks have their own system of rules thus making it a type of organized structure like a government. |
 |
Straight
edgers like to have other people believe in their ideology
and share the same
belief as them.
|
Slam Dancing and Moshing
The alternative
rock revolution brought about two popular styles of dance that reflect the
ideology of each sub-group as well. Slam Dancing and Moshing are popular forms
of dancing associated with Alternative rock music. These two forms of dancing reflect rebellion
ideologies of the three main sub-groups of the alternative rock culture.
 |
| Slam dancers |
Slam
dancing is a form of dance that was created in the United States near the late
1970’s and the early 1980’s. Slam
dancing is an altered version of the punk pogo dance, meaning that it added
more bodily contact to the pogo dance.
 |
| Two examples of mosh pits |
Moshing was formed around the 1980’s as an altered form of slam
dancing. Moshing and slam dancing are
very similar but different at the same time.
Both of these dances are aggressive dances which are implemented by
males during live musical shows.
Slam
dancing mirrors the apolitical ideology of rebellion. Slam dancing echoes the stability of individuality
and unity, in which apolitical punks take pride in their rebellion
philosophy. However, moshing reflects
the straight edgers thought of rebellion which promotes individuality over
unity. Moshing is more
territorial and more violent than slam dancing which makes it more about the
individual then a group. Political punks
reject moshing and slam dancing as both clashes with their thought of rebellion
which emphasizes community over individuality.
Mainstreaming
Alternative rock went from
struggling artist on independent labels to mainstream. Due to the grand amount of success that was
taking during the alternative revolution, alternative rock went main
stream. Since alternative rock has gone
mainstream it has been one of the more popular genres of music throughout the
globe. The alternative revolution is now
not considered a movement since it has been accepted by society.
