Overview
Objectives
- Recall the primary values and ideas of alternative rock
- Identify the main stylistic and aesthetic elements of grunge rock
- Identify the main stylistic and aesthetic elements of the riotgrrrl movement
- Identify the main stylistic and aesthetic elements of jam bands
Conclusion
In general, alternative rock musicians rejected the values and ideas of mainstream listeners and record labels. At the same time, many groups such as R.E.M., Nirvana, and Pearl Jam eventually signed with major labels and sold thousands, even millions, of records. Other groups such as Phish have never cracked the album charts, but their live shows were always sold out. The troubled relationship between the values of alternative rock musicians and the success of alternative rock musicians led to a number of conflicts and tragedies during the 1990s,most notably, Kurt Cobain’s suicide. As alternative rock musicians achieve mainstream success, they grapple with issues of authenticity and fears of "selling out."
“There is a lot to say about what Bikini Kill and other 'riot grrrl' bands were able to achieve when they first set out. They were not some momentary, convulsive, creative spasm of independent music. There was a very real, relevant point of view being expressed.”
“Grunge was so self-consciously lowbrow and nonaspirational that it seemed, at first, impervious to the hype and glamour normally applied swiftly to any emerging trend. But sure enough, grunge anthems found their way onto the soundtracks of television commercials, and Dodge Neons were hawked by kids in flannel shirts saying, 'Whatever.'”
