Of course it would be difficult to speak of indie/alternative music without including post-punk and Goth artists- especially the Europeans- who helped to give indie/alternative music an air of mystery, danger, and theatre (as well as their followers- spooky “Goth girls”- who were easy to spot all dressed in black). Even some of the more commercial indie/alternative music of the second half of the ‘80s- usually from Europe- sounded great (and life affirming) coming out of late night speakers especially from radio stations such as Long Island’s WLIR (WDRE when I knew it) or MTV’s 120 Minutes on Sunday nights.
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| The Cure |
The goals of indie/alternative (college rock) were not complicated and reflected more of the ‘60s spirit of freedom and experimentation than most so-called rock bands of the ‘80s and ‘90s eras. As Ian Astbury of the Cult said, “Our music is just melodies and guitars. We’re like Big Country and U2, only better!” In the end, it was not European overcoats and big hair but the unpretentious American everyman “grunge look” that won the day in indie/alternative fashion (since denim and flannel were much easier to pull off than the hours it took to apply make-up and hair products, I guess). But really, if I’m paying money to go see a show then wouldn’t I rather see a band in costume doing their best to engage the audience than a bunch of stoned dudes in blue jeans and flannel shirts staring at the floor?
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| Dinosaur Jr. |
Those late ‘80s and early ‘90s days (and nights!) of indie/alternative music discoveries- when life still felt exciting and full of surprise and promise- are gone now, but the music remains and that pre-Internet underground music scene is forever captured by those who lived it in songs like “Left of the Dial” and “Freak Scene”. Here are some more of my favorite indie/alternative songs. Enjoy- and Happy 2021!
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| Simple Minds |
01. Pixies – “Catfish Kate” (2019)
02. Dinosaur Jr. – “Severed Lips” (1985)
03. The Replacements – “Androgynous” (1984)
04. The Cult – “She Sells Sanctuary” (1985)
05. The Cure – “Just Like Heaven” (1987)
06. The Replacements – “Left of the Dial” (1985)
07. Pixies – “Head On” (1991)
08. The La’s – “There She Goes (2 Meter Session)” (2010)
09. The Cure – “The Caterpillar” (1984)
10. The Alarm – “Rain in the Summertime” (1987)
11. Dinosaur Jr. – “Freak Scene” (1988)
12. The Wonder Stuff – “A Wish Away” (1988)
13. The Damned – “The Shadow of Love” (1985)
14. Simple Minds – “Alive and Kicking” (1985)
15. The Damned – “Eloise” (1986)
16. Björk – “Like Someone in Love” (1993)
17. Ween – “What Deaner Was Talkin’ About” (1994)
18. New Order – “Weirdo” (1986)
19. The Lightning Seeds – “Pure” (1989)
20. Ween – “Someday” (2002)
Listen to the playlist on Spotify...
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