Chapter 36: Alternative Rock in the 90s pt.1
Chapter 26 traces the rise of alternative rock from college radio and independent labels into the musical mainstream during the 1990s. Bands such as R.E.M., Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and the Pixies combined punk, heavy metal, and classic rock influences with a DIY philosophy, while the Riot Grrrl movement expanded alternative rock through feminist activism and independent music communities.
Important Terms
Alternative Rock – A broad style of rock that developed from independent music scenes, emphasizing artistic freedom, raw production, and a rejection of mainstream commercial rock.
College Rock – A branch of alternative rock promoted primarily through college radio stations and independent record labels during the 1980s.
Grunge – A style of alternative rock originating in Seattle that combined punk energy, heavy metal guitar sounds, and introspective lyrics.
Seattle Sound – The regional style of alternative rock associated with Seattle during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Independent Record Label – A record company operating outside the major corporate music industry.
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Ethic – An approach emphasizing independent recording, promotion, and distribution rather than relying on major labels.
College Radio – Student-operated radio stations that promoted independent and alternative music ignored by commercial broadcasters.
Jangle Guitar – A bright, ringing guitar sound commonly produced with twelve-string electric guitars.
Arpeggio – Notes of a chord played individually rather than simultaneously.
Quiet-Loud Dynamics – A songwriting technique alternating soft verses with loud, heavily distorted choruses.
Power Chord – A guitar chord emphasizing the root and fifth, commonly used in rock and grunge.
Prepared Guitar – A guitar modified by placing objects such as screwdrivers or drumsticks between the strings to create unusual sounds.
Alternate Tuning – Retuning guitar strings to pitches outside standard tuning to create new harmonic possibilities.
Feedback – A sustained sound created when amplified sound repeatedly cycles between speakers and pickups.
Leslie Speaker – A rotating speaker cabinet that produces a swirling, modulated sound.
Harmonic Feedback – Sustained tones created by controlled interaction between a guitar and an amplifier.
Offset Guitar – A Fender guitar design, such as the Jazzmaster or Jaguar, featuring an offset body and floating tremolo system.
Floating Tremolo – A bridge system allowing expressive pitch changes while producing sympathetic string resonance.
Sympathetic Resonance – The vibration of unused strings caused by nearby vibrating strings, adding additional overtones.
Riot Grrrl – A feminist punk movement combining music, activism, independent publishing, and political organizing.
Fanzine (Zine) – A small independently published magazine produced by fans or artists.
Artists Discussed
R.E.M. – Alternative rock band that helped bring college rock into the mainstream.
Michael Stipe – Lead singer and lyricist of R.E.M.
Peter Buck – Guitarist for R.E.M.
Dinosaur Jr. – Alternative rock band blending punk with guitar virtuosity.
J. Mascis – Guitarist, singer, and songwriter for Dinosaur Jr.
Lou Barlow – Bassist for Dinosaur Jr.
Galaxie 500 – Alternative rock band from Boston.
Morphine – Alternative rock band from Boston.
Pixies – Alternative rock band known for quiet-loud dynamics.
Sonic Youth – Experimental alternative rock band from New York.
Thurston Moore – Guitarist and singer for Sonic Youth.
Kim Gordon – Bassist, guitarist, and singer for Sonic Youth.
Lee Ranaldo – Guitarist for Sonic Youth.
Steve Shelley – Drummer for Sonic Youth.
Green River – Early Seattle grunge band.
Sub Pop Records – Independent Seattle label that promoted grunge.
Mudhoney – Seattle grunge band.
Mother Love Bone – Seattle band that preceded Pearl Jam.
Nirvana – Seattle grunge band that brought alternative rock into the mainstream.
Kurt Cobain – Singer, guitarist, and songwriter for Nirvana.
Krist Novoselic – Bassist for Nirvana.
Dave Grohl – Drummer for Nirvana and founder of Foo Fighters.
Courtney Love – Musician and wife of Kurt Cobain.
Steve Albini – Producer of In Utero.
Pearl Jam – Seattle grunge band.
Jeff Ament – Bassist for Pearl Jam.
Stone Gossard – Guitarist for Pearl Jam.
Mike McCready – Guitarist for Pearl Jam.
Eddie Vedder – Lead singer for Pearl Jam.
Soundgarden – Seattle grunge band.
Chris Cornell – Singer and guitarist for Soundgarden.
Kim Thayil – Guitarist for Soundgarden.
Alice in Chains – Seattle grunge band.
Layne Staley – Lead singer for Alice in Chains.
Jerry Cantrell – Guitarist and singer for Alice in Chains.
Stone Temple Pilots (STP) – Alternative rock band from San Diego.
Foo Fighters – Rock band founded by Dave Grohl.
The Afghan Whigs – Alternative rock band.
Taylor Hawkins – Drummer for Foo Fighters.
Kill Rock Stars (KRS) – Independent label central to Riot Grrrl.
Bikini Kill – Foundational Riot Grrrl band.
Huggy Bear – British Riot Grrrl band.
Julie Ruin – Kathleen Hanna's solo project.
Le Tigre – Electronic feminist band founded by Kathleen Hanna.
Bratmobile – Riot Grrrl band.
Team Dresch – Queer punk band associated with Riot Grrrl.
The Gossip – Band associated with Kill Rock Stars.
Sleater-Kinney – Riot Grrrl and alternative rock band.
Songs Referenced
"Radio Free Europe" – R.E.M.
"The One I Love" – R.E.M.
"Losing My Religion" – R.E.M.
"Feel the Pain" – Dinosaur Jr.
"Where Is My Mind?" – Pixies
"Teen Age Riot" – Sonic Youth
"Eric's Trip" – Sonic Youth
"Candle" – Sonic Youth
"Bull in the Heather" – Sonic Youth
"In the Kingdom #19" – Sonic Youth
"School" – Nirvana
"Blew" – Nirvana
"Love Buzz" – Nirvana (cover of Shocking Blue)
"About a Girl" – Nirvana
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana
"Come as You Are" – Nirvana
"Heart-Shaped Box" – Nirvana
"All Apologies" – Nirvana
"Rape Me" – Nirvana
"Even Flow" – Pearl Jam
"Alive" – Pearl Jam
"Jeremy" – Pearl Jam
"Go" – Pearl Jam
"Leash" – Pearl Jam
"Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" – Pearl Jam
"Indifference" – Pearl Jam
"Spin the Black Circle" – Pearl Jam
"Last Exit" – Pearl Jam
"Nothingman" – Pearl Jam
"Better Man" – Pearl Jam
"Aye Davanita" – Pearl Jam
"Bugs" – Pearl Jam
"Stupid Mop" – Pearl Jam
"Black Hole Sun" – Soundgarden
"Sex Type Thing" – Stone Temple Pilots
"Plush" – Stone Temple Pilots
"Creep" – Stone Temple Pilots
"Wicked Garden" – Stone Temple Pilots
"And So I Know" – Stone Temple Pilots
"X-Static" – Foo Fighters
"Big Me" – Foo Fighters
"Learn to Fly" – Foo Fighters
"Everlong" – Foo Fighters
"Rebel Girl" – Bikini Kill
"I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" – Sleater-Kinney
Albums
Murmur – R.E.M.
Reckoning – R.E.M.
Fables of the Reconstruction – R.E.M.
Document – R.E.M.
Green – R.E.M.
Out of Time – R.E.M.
You're Living All Over Me – Dinosaur Jr.
Surfer Rosa – Pixies
Doolittle – Pixies
Daydream Nation – Sonic Youth
Sub Pop 100 – Various Artists (Sub Pop Records compilation)
Sub Pop 200 – Various Artists (Sub Pop Records compilation)
Rehab Doll – Green River
Bleach – Nirvana
Nevermind – Nirvana
Dangerous – Michael Jackson
In Utero – Nirvana
MTV Unplugged in New York – Nirvana
Ten – Pearl Jam
Vs. – Pearl Jam
Vitalogy – Pearl Jam
Mirror Ball – Neil Young and Pearl Jam
Superunknown – Soundgarden
Facelift – Alice in Chains
Dirt – Alice in Chains
Jar of Flies – Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains – Alice in Chains
Core – Stone Temple Pilots
Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop – Stone Temple Pilots
Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters
The Colour and the Shape – Foo Fighters
One by One – Foo Fighters
In Your Honor – Foo Fighters
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace – Foo Fighters
Pussy Whipped – Bikini Kill
Reject All American – Bikini Kill
Call the Doctor – Sleater-Kinney
Films
Hype!
Over the Edge