The Term ‘Alternative Music’ Refers Specifically to the Seattle Grunge Rock
In the early 1990s, the term “alternative music” referred specifically to the Seattle grunge rock scene. Today, it’s used more broadly to describe any music that falls outside of the mainstream.
What is alternative music?
According to AllMusic, “Alternative music” is a “catch-all category for rock, pop, and electronic artists that don’t easily fit into other genres.” In other words, it’s music that’s not mainstream. The term “alternative” first became popular in the 1980s when it was used to describe punk rock, new wave, and post-punk bands that were signed to independent record labels.
The origins of alternative music
The term “alternative music” refers specifically to the Seattle grunge rock scene of the early 1990s. The music is characterized by its raw, distorted sound and its dark, cynical lyrics.
Alternative music became popular in the mainstream after the breakthrough of Nirvana’s album “Nevermind” in 1991. Other successful alternative bands of the 1990s include Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains.
The term “alternative” is used to describe a wide range of musical styles, but it is most commonly associated with rock music that is outside of the mainstream. Alternative rock includes subgenres such as indie rock, punk rock, and post-punk.
In the 2010s, alternative music has continued to evolve with the rise of indie rock and indie pop. New subgenres such as synth-pop and electropop have also emerged.
The Seattle grunge rock scene
The Seattle grunge rock scene was a musical movement that emerged in the early 1990s. Grunge music is characterized by its raw and distorted sound, as well as its dark and often depressing lyrics. The genre is often seen as a reaction against the polished and popular music of the 1980s.
Grunge music gained popularity in the Seattle area in the early 1990s, with bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden becoming some of the most successful artists of the time. While grunge music was initially limited to the Pacific Northwest, it eventually spread to other parts of the United States and even to other countries.
Despite its popularity, grunge music existed for only a brief period of time before fading away in the late 1990s. Nevertheless, it continues to be an influential genre, with many modern artists citing grunge as an important influence on their work.
The term ‘alternative music’
The term ‘alternative music’ is most commonly used to describe a specific genre of music that emerged from the Seattle grunge rock scene in the early 1990s. The term is used to describe a wide variety of musical styles, including punk, metal, and indie rock.
What does ‘alternative music’ mean?
The term ‘alternative music’ arose in the 1980s, when it was used to describe a kind of rock that was not being played on commercial radio stations. The term ‘alternative rock’ was coined in the early 1990s, when this type of music became more mainstream.
The term ‘alternative music’ generally refers to a type of rock that is not mainstream. This can include different genres such as punk, grunge, indie, and metal.
How is ‘alternative music’ different from other genres?
The term “alternative music” refers specifically to the Seattle grunge rock scene of the early 1990s. The genre is characterized by its raw, DIY aesthetic and its focus on personal, introspective lyrics. Alternative music is distinct from other genres like pop, rock, and hip-hop in that it often eschews traditional structures and conventions in favor of a more unconventional approach.
The popularity of alternative music
When most people hear the term “alternative music” they think of the Seattle grunge rock scene of the early ’90s. This was a time when Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains were at the height of their popularity. However, the term “alternative music” actually refers to any type of music that is not part of the mainstream.
The rise of alternative music in the 1990s
The 1990s saw the rise of alternative music, specifically the Seattle grunge rock scene. Nirvana’s album Nevermind (1991) brought alternative music into the mainstream, and the genre became hugely popular. Other bands such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden also achieved great success.
The popularity of alternative music continued into the new millennium, with bands like Linkin Park, Blink-182, and The Offspring achieving mainstream success. Alternative music has also been influenced by other genres, such as hip hop and electronic music. Today, the term ‘alternative music’ is used to describe a wide range of different styles.
The enduring popularity of alternative music
Since the early 1990s, alternative music has been one of the most popular genres in the world. It all started with the Seattle grunge rock scene, which spawned a number of hugely successful bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. From there, alternative music spread to other parts of the world, with indie rock and Britpop becoming especially popular in the UK.
In recent years, alternative music has continued to be extremely popular, with artists such as Hozier, The 1975, and Lorde finding mainstream success. This genre is now enjoyed by people of all ages, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
