Alternative refers to artists that do not follow the mainstream sounds generally heard on the radio or in media. The genre of Alternative includes Jangle Pop, Noise Rock, Trip-Hop, Industrial, Grunge, Shoegaze, New Wave and some of the more eclectic Punk, Post-Punk, and Hardcore Punk bands, among other genres. Most Alternative bands in this wave were largely underground although some became cult hits like Pixies, The Replacements, and The Smiths. A few of these bands even gained mainstream success such as U2, R.E.M,and The Cure. In 1991 bands like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam brought Alternative to the mainstream.
In the late 70's Alternative genres such as New Wave, Post-Punk, and Punk started emerging. Artists like Talking Heads, Blondie, Joy Division, The Clash, and Elvis Costello are some of the more popular Alternative groups to emerge from the genre.
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