I disagree. Back in the 1970's Prog was the dominant form of music. It was the mainstream. The countless punks bands that formed was the result of the prog-rock excesses from Emerson-Lale-palmer and Yes. The Punk Bands were the alternative to the proggresive rock and cheesy anthem rock that was going on at the time.

Alternative rock is anything that cannot be defined or cateogorized within the paradigms of mainstream music. Sonic Youth, R.E.M., The Cure, and The Velvet Underground were all alternatives to the music trends that was considered mainstream such as Hair-metal, and flowerpower psychedelia in the 1960's.

After the 90s, it doesn't really feel like "alternative" means anything. MTV and record companies pretty much destroyed the term with people like Bush and Live and Third Eye Blind etc.

Consider the fact that while you're in this "Alternative" forum, the only bands being discussed seem to be Muse, Radiohead, James Blunt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All of whom are huge-selling bands that couldn't get more mainstream (besides maybe Radiohead).

quote:

Originally posted by turbo:
After the 90s, it doesn't really feel like "alternative" means anything. MTV and record companies pretty much destroyed the term with people like Bush and Live and Third Eye Blind etc.

Consider the fact that while you're in this "Alternative" forum, the only bands being discussed seem to be Muse, Radiohead, James Blunt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All of whom are huge-selling bands that couldn't get more mainstream (besides maybe Radiohead).

Yeah Very much. After Nirvana exploded and brought Alternative to mainstream, Alternative became the mainstream. Third Eye Blind, Live, and Bush could also easily be considered radioready pop rock.

Its surprising how Alternative is now mainstream right now. Indie-rock is now being passed as the "Alternative" to the alternative rock common in radio and MTV. Bands like Arcade Fire, Interpol, and The Mars Volta. These indie bands are alternative right now.

However with the recent success, mainstream exposure and acclaim from bands like Franz Ferdinand, and Modest Mouse...I won't be surprised to see if indie-rock became mainstream in a couple of years. However I wouldn't count it just yet...

Franz Ferdinand isn't indie!

Alternative has become a paradox in music, and is about as meaningful as the word "emo" these days.

quote:

Originally posted by pak:
Franz Ferdinand isn't indie!

Alternative has become a paradox in music, and is about as meaningful as the word "emo" these days.

Franz Ferdinand is/was indie.