Grunge, riot girl, alternative rock Flashcards
What was the state of indie rock in the late 1980s?
It was less relevant than it once was, with more people turning to dance music or hard rock. It was also no longer a consistent category of its own, with many subgenres.
Where did grunge originate?
In Seattle.
What record label is grunge tied to?
Sub Pop
Describe the musical characteristics of grunge.
It was a mixture of punk and heavy metal with dark lyrics. it was also inspired by Motown in terms of identity branding.
What was sub pop known for? Who was involved?
It was known for its creation of a distinct sound for the Seattle scene, as there was a big emphasis on the importance of place in music identification. This was largely because of the in-house producer Jack Endino.
Describe Sub Pop’s marketing strategy.
They adopted a sort of ironic capitalism, where they made a point of emphasizing the low budget and took an ironic, detached attitude towards capitalism. This was to distinguish grunge as an independent genre with its own feel and attitude, with a general lack of interest in the mainstream.
Who is the main grunge group discussed?
Nirvana
Describe the musical characteristics of Nirvana.
Their music relied on dynamic contrasts between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses.
What is Riot Girl?
It is a politicized/feminist take on grunge music that emerged from the culture of fanzines and local indie labels in the early 1990s. It consisted of all-female bands and lyrics that addressed feminism, empowerment, racism, queer romance, etc.
What is the major Riot Girl group discussed?
Bikini Kill
What was the relationship between Riot Girl and the media?
Many members of the scene felt that the media trivialized their concerns to the point where some bands called for a “media blackout”.
What is Scrunge?
It refers to the wave of bands that tried to build on the commercial success of Nirvana’s Nevermind to try to reach a larger audience, particularly as grunge was going mainstream.
Summarize the issue of authenticity and commercialism in Scrunge and Grunge.
As grunge became mainstream and scrunge emerged, it caused debates about the fact that the music that fans loved for being outside of the mainstream was now itself mainstream.
Give 3 examples of other grunge bands.
Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails
Explain how punk went pop in the 1990s and where this movement was concentrated.
Mainly in California, many bands crossed over because they blended punk energy with ska-influenced textures. Others combined the fast-paced rhythm of punk with catchy sung vocals and harmony.
