There are plenty of confusing terms used to describe all the musical genres and sub-genres of music these days. The phrase “Alternative Music” is one of the vaguer genre descriptions that gets thrown around.
But what does alternative music mean? What kind of music is considered alternative music? When did alternative music first appear on the scene, and what has it morphed into today? If you’re struggling to answer these questions, you’re in the right place.
I’m going to take an in-depth look at what alternative music is, as well as giving some definition and history to this misunderstood musical genre. I’ll also provide some examples of the best bands in alternative music.
What is Alternative Music? – A Basic Definition
The easiest way to classify alternative music would be to say it is the polar opposite of Pop music. So, what is Pop music?
Pop music is whatever is popular to the mainstream public at the time. It’s music with a wide appeal and does well in the mainstream charts like the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Therefore, alternative music can refer to any type of music that is outside traditionally popular music.
Alternative music artists, purposefully or not, tend to shy away from the conformity of mainstream sounds. Instead, they strive to create something new and interesting that can’t easily be pigeonholed.
In the modern era…
Alternative music can be almost any type of music. You could be a Rock band, a Country artist, or an Electronic Music producer and still be considered alternative, just as long as you’re not conforming to the status quo.
Characteristics of Alternative Musicians and Bands
So, with the basics out of the way, let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the things that alternative music artists tend to share that get them labeled “alternative” in the first place.
Artistic integrity
For most alternative music artists and bands, the commercial success of their music is not as important as their artistic vision. They want to sell records, just not at the expense of selling out their artistic integrity.
It’s fair to say that many alternative music artists have a healthy disrespect for the rules. And they certainly don’t do things by the book. In their eyes, art should always trump any demands to accommodate more mainstream tastes in the name of money.
Creative flair
For many people, the main characteristic of alternative music is creativity. If they are doing something that’s never been heard before, then by definition, they are doing something alternative.
Many mainstream acts are happy to parrot the popular sounds of the day for commercial success. But many other acts take pride in creating something different. This instantly qualifies them as part of the alternative scene.
Historically, the most successful alternative music artists have all been extremely creative and refused to compromise their imagination by playing it safe.
A range of musical styles
Alternative music used to be considered the domain of guitar-driven bands. But, as the number of musical genres and sub-genres has rocketed over the years, the type of music an alternative artist could be playing has expanded to just about any style imaginable.
Rock, Hip-Hop, Folk, Punk, or Blues, it doesn’t matter. Every genre of music has its alternative artists that buck the industry norms.
Non-conformists
Many alternative music artists are often non-conformists who refuse to blindly accept what society tells them. And, more often than not, their fans could be called outsiders too.
This refusal to accept societal standards gives the artist and disaffected citizens a common cause. Ironically, this helps to elevate the popularity of alternative music. This is especially true in culturally stagnant or politically charged times.
These alternative artists may start on the fringes of society. But, they gain fans from the same areas, and before you know it, they have a measure of alternative popularity, if that makes any sense.
What is Alternative Music? – A Brief History
Genesis
It’s generally accepted that the origins of alternative music came with the release of the album The Velvet Underground and Nico by the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground in 1967.
At the time, nobody knew quite what to make of their sound. Deadpan vocals and experimental guitar techniques accompanied a dynamic range of songs that lurched all over the shop stylistically.
The album failed to sell many copies in its early years…
But, it had a massive cultural impact on those who bought it. And it was the inspiration for the formation of countless bands that’d go on to populate the world of alternative music.
It’s only with the benefit of hindsight that we can mark this point as the beginning of alternative music. At the time, it was just considered unusual.
Progression
From there, the history of alternative music winds its way through multiple musical sub-genres. On the American side of the Atlantic, Proto-Punk bands like The Stooges and MC5 emerged. They were swiftly followed by the New York Punk scene. That scene was centered around bands like The Ramones, The New York Dolls, and Patti Smith.
By the 80s, Hardcore bands like Black Flag and Husker Du helped create a whole new genre of alternative sounds. And bands like Talking Heads brought a whole new level of creativity to the table.
Not to be outdone…
In the UK, bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash were tearing up the rule book. As were visionary bands like Ska greats The Specials.
These were followed by a string of Post-Punk bands that would have a massive influence on the future of alternative music. Some of them were Joy Division, The Fall, and Buzzcocks.
In the 1980s, The Smiths and The Cure emerged to give voice to a whole generation of misfits and outsiders.
Emergence
Back in the US, college bands like R.E.M., Pixies, and the emergence of Grunge brought alternative music out of the basement and into mainstream consciousness.
Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden helped create the need for a new term to cover music that didn’t fall into the standard mainstream definitions. Thus, the term “Alternative Music” was born.
Since the early 90s…
Alternative music has grown to encompass artists and bands from multiple musical genres. Until this point, it was primarily the domain of guitar-driven bands. These days anything a little different is lumped under the alternative banner.
Even artists with popular appeal, such as New Zealand artist Lorde are often considered alternative thanks to an unorthodox approach to creating what is still essentially Pop music.
Legends of Alternative Music
Hopefully, we’ve answered the question, “What is alternative music?” We’ll now look at some of the most influential musicians and bands in Alternative music.
Talking Heads
Led by the inimitable David Byrne, Talking Heads were pioneers of the New Wave music revolution of the late 70s and early 80s.
Their heady mix of Art Rock, Funk, African beats, and even Punk gave them a sound like no other band at the time. Their level of innovation and experimentation had a lasting impact on the wider music scene that is still felt 40 years later.
Loads of alternative musicians and bands said Talking Heads were a major influence…
This includes LCD Soundsystem, The Weeknd, and Eddie Vedder. Radiohead even named themselves after a Talking Heads song. That’s some compliment from a band that has gone on to become one of the biggest alternative music bands in the world.
They were critically acclaimed at the time. However, Talking Heads never enjoyed the kind of mainstream success later alternative acts achieved. Their highest-placed single, “Burning Down the House,” only reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
That said, they have since been recognized for their contribution to alternative music. Rolling Stone magazine includes four Talking Heads albums in their list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. And they’ve been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Smiths
Formed in Manchester, England, in 1982, The Smiths are widely regarded as one of the most influential bands to come out of the British independent/alternative music scene of the 1980s.
In my experience, people either fanatically love or fervently hate The Smiths. There doesn’t appear to be any middle ground. Attracting equal measures of hate and adoration is fairly typical for a lot of the bigger alternative acts.
Whatever your feelings, the juxtaposition of Morrissey’s sad voice and maudlin lyrics with Johnny Marr’s guitar melodies was so unusual. It was such a repudiation of what had come before it that you couldn’t help but take immediate notice.
They built a passionate fan base…
One that spilled over into mainstream success. There’s a sharp, observational wit behind Morrissey’s lyrics that belies the surface-level misery. Most importantly, he’s a singer that’s clearly not faking it. Defiant, yet vulnerable.
In decades to come, The Smiths were a huge influence on bands like The Stone Roses, Blur, and the Libertines, who recognized Morrissey and Marr as the true originals they were.
The Smiths were also one of the most anti-establishment and anti-capitalist bands of the era. This gave them that outsider appeal so central to many alternative artists.
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
Formed in 1983, the Australian titans of alternative rock music are still going strong to this day. They have 17 critically-acclaimed studio albums under their belts. And an army of passionate fans who know that a Bad Seeds gig is undoubtedly one of the best live shows around.
For the last 20 years…
They have been at the forefront of musical experimentation. They started as a Post-Punk band with Gothic Rock and Blues tendencies. However, their sound has since softened whilst incorporating a range of influences from across the musical spectrum.
As a result, whilst you never know quite what to expect from a Bad Seeds album. But, you’re safe in the knowledge it will be outstanding in its own way.
What an alternative band should be…
Suffice it to say; it’s hard to find a better example than Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. They have artistic integrity and creative flair in droves. And, as non-conformists go, you’d be hard-pushed to find less of a corporate stooge in the music industry than Nick Cave.
He’s lived a sometimes chaotic and formerly drug-fuelled life, but he has calmed in recent years. And there’s no denying this man has forged his own path in the world.
R.E.M.
One of the most successful alternative music bands ever. Their career, going from underground to mainstream consciousness, mirrors the history of the genre.
Formed in 1980, the band was a key in the establishment and growth of the Alternative Rock scene. They paved the way for other artists who made it big after them, including Pixies and Nirvana. Musically, these bands were very different.
But, R.E.M. showed them that it was possible to become a huge band without selling out their artistic integrity.
And become a huge band they did…
Several critically-acclaimed albums from 1983 to 1988 put them at the forefront of the Alternative Rock scene. Around 1991-92, alternative music had exploded into the mainstream, and R.E.M. were leading the charge.
A huge record contract with Warner Brothers followed. Yet, the band stayed firmly on the right side of cool. And they continued to produce their familiar jangly guitar sound accompanied by Michael Stipe’s distinctive vocals.
They were also outspoken when it came to social and political activism. And they campaigned for various causes throughout their career, even when they made it big. In short, R.E.M. is a microcosm of the alternative music scene as a whole.
Nirvana
At a time when Hair Metal ruled the airwaves, alienated young music fans cried out for something new. They got their wish in 1991 when Nirvana burst onto the scene with the unexpected smash hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
A band that changed the musical landscape forever…
If there’s one band that can be credited with bringing alternative music to the masses, it has to be Nirvana. With a Punk ethos firmly at their core, they combined great pop sensibilities with moments of unbridled noise to stunning effect.
Their songs about social alienation appealed to disillusioned youth all over the world. They could hear the pain in Kurt Cobain’s voice.
Before Nirvana…
Alternative music was still considered an underground niche. That changed the moment Nevermind took the world by storm.
Suddenly, record companies were paying attention to the alternative scene. This, in turn, gave exposure to countless bands and artists who might otherwise have remained in the shadows. Despite having anything but a mainstream sound, Nirvana went on to sell 75 million records worldwide.
Just three years after the release of “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Cobain was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Having struggled with drug addiction, Cobain also found it very hard to cope with the demands of his unexpected stardom.
The State of Alternative Music in the Modern Era
From its breakout moment in the early 1990s, alternative music has become a far bigger umbrella term than it ever used to be. What started as the domain of guitar-driven bands has since morphed into almost every genre imaginable.
Ironically, it made alternative music more mainstream than ever before…
Streaming services have also made alternative music far more accessible than it ever used to be. It is now exposed to a far wider audience than before, especially via algorithms that suggest songs to you based on your listening history.
A casual look at the Billboard Hot Alternative Songs chart for 2023 includes artists as diverse as Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, The Black Keys, and Glass Animals. Quite an eclectic bunch, I’m sure you’ll agree.
An expanding collection of musical styles and genres…
The mainstream has embraced what used to be considered underground sub-genres at best. The breakout success of the 90s Grunge scene showed record executives that there was a ton of money to be made by finding and promoting alternative acts. And they’ve never looked back.
Want to Learn About Other Music Genres?
Well, you can have a look at our detailed articles on What is Ska Music, What Is Art Music, What is Synthwave, What Is Techno Music, What Is Trap Music, and the Top 10 Genres in the Music Industry for more interesting and entertaining information.
What Is Alternative Music? – Final Thoughts
Hopefully, we’ve cleared up what is a slightly misleading term for a genre of music. Alternative music these days refers to more than just a reaction to Classic Rock. Today, anything out of the ordinary can be placed in that category, regardless of how popular it is. An artist or band striving to do something creative and different is the main qualifying factor.
As a result, the world of alternative music is now bigger and more diverse in its offerings than ever before. Yes, the definition may have become broader. But all that means is that there’s probably something for everyone in this most eclectic of musical genres.
Until next time, happy listening.
