Alternative Grab Bag IV – Part 2

I remember a time before the ‘90s when the term alternative music didn’t even exist, but as bands like the Cure, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam cracked the mainstream music scene the suits needed some kind of inoffensive marketing label to help sell these freaks to conformist consumers- and alternative was born. (I remember MTV even aired a one hour “special report” in 1991 to help explain this  “new” alternative music phenomenon to its confused viewership.)

King Tuff

To me alternative represents artists who- for the most part- grew up listening to commercial radio and followed the well-worn rock and oldies highway before going off-road and forging their own musical paths- only to find lots of other people following them. Here are some more of my favorite alternative songs including Goth, grunge, new wave, garage rock revival, ska revival, and alt dance. Enjoy!

The Gaslight Anthem

01. Pearl Jam – “Supersonic” (2009)

02. Pavement – “Frontwards” (1992)

03. Pearl Jam – “The Fixer” (2009)

04. King Tuff – “Screaming Skull” (2012)

04. New Order – “Weirdo” (1986)

05. The Gaslight Anthem – “‘45’” (2012)

06. Superchunk – “FOH” (2013)

07. The Cure – “The Only One” (2008)

08. The Specials – “Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think)” (1980)

09. Superchunk – “What a Time to Be Alive (Acoustic)” (2018)

10. The Cure – “The End of the World” (2004)

11. Fucked Up – “Queen of Hearts” (2011)

12. Lou Reed – “I’m So Free” (1972)

13. Jack White – “I’m Shakin’” (2012)

14. Elvis Costello and the Attractions – “Watch Your Step” (1981)

15. Stereophonics – “Positively 4th Street” (1999)

16. Stephen Malkmus – “Freeze the Saints” (2005)

17. Descendents – “Suburban Home” (1982)

18. Devo – “Whip It” (1980)

20. Baby Gramps – “Cape Cod Girls” (2006)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Devo – “Whip It”