Genre Research:

Holly Masters

Introduction Alternative is a sub-genre of Rock music that emerged in

the 1980’s and became widely popular in the ‘90’s and 2000’s. The term was commonly involved with the loud distorted guitar sound, its original meaning was broader to the next generation that had a collective debt to Punk Rock, which in the late ‘70’s, laid the groundwork for Alternative music. Bands such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Nirvana were around in those days.

Alternative Origins• Nirvana• Red Hot Chili Peppers• Guided By Voices• The Cure• Primal Scream• The Replacements• The Sisters of Mercy

Modern Alternative• Rise Against• Red Jumpsuit Apparatus• Avenged Sevenfold• Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S)• Lostprophets• A Day To Remember• Green Day• Linkin Park

Typical Instruments Alternative commonly use instruments such as

electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards and vocals.

Notable Alternative Singers

Kurt Cobain - NirvanaAnthony Kiedis – Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Matt Bellamy - Muse

Billie Joe Armstrong - Green Day Hayley Williams - Paramore

Key Band – Nirvana Nirvana was an American rock band formed by the lead singer Kurt

Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in 1987. They went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting being Dave Grohl, who joined the band in 1990. The bands past members were Aaron Burckhard, Chad Channing, Dale Crover, Jason Everman, Dave Foster and Dan Peters. They were active from years 1987 – 1994, and were famous for playing alternative rock and also grunge. Nirvana’s run ended by the death of Kurt in 1994. :(

“The finest day I ever had was when tomorrow never came.” - Kurt Cobain

Key Band – Rise Against Rise Against is another American rock band from Chicago, and were

formed at the end of 1999. The band currently consists of Tim Mcllrath (lead singer, rhythm guitar), Zach Blair (lead guitar, backing vocals), Joe Principe (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Brandon Barnes (drums percussion). They play punk, alternative, medolic hardcore and hardcore punk rock.7

Cool Fact – Tim Mcilrath has amazing eyes. His left eye being blue and his right eye brown, known as heterochromia