Genre · Grunge & Alternative
Alternative
College/indie guitar rock that became the nineties mainstream category.
Alternative starts as a college-radio and indie-press category, then becomes default rock on MTV and modern-rock radio. It covers Radiohead-style album evolution and the scattered streams after Grunge.
Pioneer acts
Acts that opened or crystallized this sound—fused landmarks, not a separate encyclopedia.
Representative bands
- The Velvet UndergroundNew York, USA · 1964
- David BowieLondon, UK · 1969
- Talking HeadsNew York, USA · 1975
- The PoliceLondon, UK · 1977
- The CureCrawley, UK · 1978
- Depeche ModeBasildon, UK · 1980
- Sonic YouthNew York, USA · 1981
- The SmithsManchester, UK · 1982
- My Bloody ValentineDublin, Ireland · 1983
- Red Hot Chili PeppersLos Angeles, USA · 1983
- The Stone RosesManchester, UK · 1983
- RadioheadAbingdon, UK · 1985
- PixiesBoston, USA · 1986
- NirvanaAberdeen, USA · 1987
- Smashing PumpkinsChicago, USA · 1988
- Nine Inch NailsCleveland, USA · 1988
- DeftonesSacramento, USA · 1988
- SlowdiveReading, UK · 1989
- SuedeLondon, UK · 1989
- Pearl JamSeattle, USA · 1990
- ToolLos Angeles, USA · 1990
- The VerveWigan, UK · 1990
- OasisManchester, UK · 1991
- Rage Against the MachineLos Angeles, USA · 1991
- Godspeed You! Black EmperorMontreal, Canada · 1994
- Foo FightersSeattle, USA · 1994
- Sigur RósReykjavík, Iceland · 1994
- System of a DownLos Angeles, USA · 1994
- MuseTeignmouth, UK · 1994
- EvanescenceLittle Rock, USA · 1995
- MogwaiGlasgow, UK · 1995
- Queens of the Stone AgeCalifornia, USA · 1996
- ColdplayLondon, UK · 1996
- Linkin ParkAgoura Hills, USA · 1996
- The White StripesDetroit, USA · 1997
- Explosions in the SkyAustin, USA · 1999
- Kings of LeonNashville, USA · 1999
- The KillersLas Vegas, USA · 2001
- Franz FerdinandGlasgow, UK · 2002
- Arctic MonkeysSheffield, UK · 2002
- Tame ImpalaPerth, Australia · 2007
- Them Crooked VulturesUSA · 2009