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Alternative pop/rock is essentially a catch-all term for post-punk bands from the mid-'80s to the mid-'90s. There is a multitude of musical styles within alternative rock, from the sweet melodies of jangle-pop to the disturbing metallic grind of industrial, yet are all tied together by a similar aesthetic -- they all existed and operated oustide of the mainstream.
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Alternative pop/rock is essentially a catch-all term for...
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Alternative pop/rock is essentially a catch-all term for...
- Alternative/Indie Rock
Alternative / Indie Rock. Alternative pop/rock is...
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- Pink Floyd. 1,992 votes. Pink Floyd, often regarded as one of the pioneers of alternative rock, captivated audiences with their transcendent blend of progressive rock, space-rock, and psychedelia in a time when music was craving a change.
- David Bowie. 2,171 votes. David Bowie, the genre-bending Starman, consistently redefined the boundaries of alternative rock with his chameleonic approach to music throughout his illustrious career.
- Nirvana. 6,734 votes. Nirvana's impact on the alternative rock scene is nothing short of revolutionary. Kurt Cobain's raw, angst-filled lyrics, coupled with the band's powerful and gritty sound, became the defining voice of the grunge movement that swept through the 1990s.
- The Cure. 3,397 votes. The Cure, led by enigmatic frontman Robert Smith, have been shaping the course of alternative music since their formation in the late 1970s with a unique blend of post-punk, new wave, and goth rock.
- The Cure. 2,578 votes. Emerging from the post-punk scene in the late 1970s, this influential group's unique blend of gloomy lyrics and melodic tunes has made them a staple in the world of indie music.
- Joy Division. 2,223 votes. As pioneers of the post-punk movement, this British band's dark and introspective sound captivated audiences in the late '70s and early '80s.
- Gorillaz. 2,478 votes. This groundbreaking virtual band introduced the world to a unique fusion of alternative rock, electronica, hip-hop, and pop that defied genre boundaries.
- Pixies. 2,961 votes. Formed in the mid-1980s, this American band's innovative mix of surf rock, punk, and noise-pop helped set the stage for the alternative rock explosion of the '90s.
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- Arctic Monkeys
- The Strokes
- The Smiths
- Sonic Youth
- Pixies
- Oasis
- Radiohead
- The White Stripes
- Nirvana
- The Cure
Arctic Monkeys was founded in 2002 and became popular entirely due to the internet. It was one of the first times a band gained notoriety of that level outside of traditional marketing, waking people up to the potential for promoting new bands online. They eventually broke into mainstream success with their 2013 single Do I Wanna Know? which reache...
The Strokes formed in 1998 and ended up becoming a major part of the indie rock revival in the US. Their 2001 EP The Modern Age brought in a lot of interest from labels and they eventually signed with RCA Records. They’re still going strong with their 2020 album The New Abnormal, winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Overall, they have over...
The Smiths were always independent, from their formation in 1982 until their breakup in 1987. The band signed with an independent record label in 1983 and released a debut, self-titled album in 1984. All of their albums reached the top five of the UK charts, with Meat Is Murderreaching the number-one spot in 1985. Next: Greatest rock bands from the...
Sonic Youth remained independent for a good chunk of their career. They originally came out of the no-wave art scene in underground circles in New York during the late 70s. Eventually, they turned into a more mainstream rock band, especially after signing with a major label in 1990. One of the key elements of their music is unorthodox rock guitar s...
Pixies were originally formed as an alt-rock band that focused most of their music on punk and surf rock with a lot of loud-soft-loud shifts to their songs. They had a big influence on other bands like Nirvana, Radiohead, and Weezer. They were also more popular in Europe than in the US, though in recent years, they’ve found more mainstream success ...
Oasis formed in 1991 and went on to sign with the independent label Creation Records in 1993. Their third album, Be Here Now, was released in 1997 and became the fastest-selling record in UK history. They’ve become one of the most successful groups of all time, selling over 70 million records worldwidewhile remaining mostly independent. Over time, ...
Radiohead is an English rock band that was critical in making alternative rock what it is today. After signing with EMI in 1991, they released their debut single Creep, which would go on to become a worldwide hit and is still played today. In their history, they have sold over 30 million records worldwide, won six Grammy Awards, and have been named...
The White Stripes originated as part of the Detroit music scene and were responsible for part of the garage rock scene during the early 2000s. Before signing to a label, they had already released three albums. They’re best known for the low-fidelity quality approach of their music and indelible fashion sense. The White Stripes’ most recognizable si...
Nirvana established itself in Seattle in the 80s as part of the grunge scene, releasing its first album with an independent label before signing to DGC Records in 1991. Their music mixes some pop melodies with traditional noise rock to create a most unique sound. From humble beginnings, they would go on to become one of the best-selling groups of a...
The Cure experimented with a few different sounds throughout their album releases, originally starting out in the post-punk scene, before moving to darker music and then toward pop styles. Their 1986 singles compilation Standing On A Beach broke four million sales within three years. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fameafter 1...
Jan 4, 2023 · Los Bitchos. Los Bitchos are a riotously fun, lush and textured alternative indie rock band from London. A new band on the scene with a decidedly old school sound, Los Bitchos mine inspiration from Mexican musical roots, weaving together polyrhythmic patterns with heavy elements of cumbia and punk.
Nov 30, 2023 · Many new alternative rock bands with distinctive pop-rock and indie sensibilities have had mainstream success with their albums. Post-2010, a number of alternative bands are fusing diverse styles of indie, punk, hip-hop, emo, hard rock, and electronic in their music.
