Rebecca Sims
AS Media
History of Alternative Rock
Alternative rock music is really a name given to rock music that didn't fit any other genre. However, the technical meaning is usually any rock music that descended from punk rock. A lot of rock music has been classified as alternative rock music even though some of these did not exactly fit the meaning.
Alternative rock music became popular in the 1990's however the history of alternative rock goes back much further than this. The music genre had been gaining popularity with college crowds and music underground before Nirvana brought alternative rock music to the mainstream audience. REM was making their start in the alternative rock industry in the 1980's, most of REM airtime was given by college radio stations. They began to gain a loyal fan base however their success began around the same time that alternative rock began to become successful in the 1990's.
Linkin Park- In The End.
Nirvana- Come As You Are
The popularity of alternative rock began to come around after the grunge period. Grunge was a type of alternative rock music that denounced commercialism. This movement started in Seattle, Washington and soon took the world by storm. This was ironic since it was this type of music that helped to create the commercial success for alternative rock music. Bands such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Alternative rock music also made a big splash in Britain where punk rock was more popular. In fact, Alternative rock music entered the mainstream earlier in Britain than it did in the United States. This gave alternative bands a broader venue even before the popularity of alternative music in the United States.
During the height of success for alternative rock music, many record companies handed out the name to bands that fit the requirements loosely at best. This was done in hopes that the label of alternative would help sales. However, looking back one can see that some of this music was more pop than alternative.