The current rage, as all of you are aware, is Alternative Rock. This form of rock has a very unfavorable label of which no one seems satisfied. Yet, it is the best term to date, much like the ill fated Generation X-ers who can never escape Douglas Coupland's insignia. This form of music has encaptured the young like no other form of music. There was hardly a music movement in the Eighties when Duran Duran, 'Til Tuesday, and Pat Benetar ruled the airwaves. That was a point in time when R.E.M. was still struggling to get their stuff played on college radio. Not to undermine the contributions of these bands, but, let's face it, they weren't inspiring any young kids to pick up guitars or sign away their hearts in the form of lyrics. Today's rock seems to have gripped the public to view music as a way of life, as an art form, as an inspiration, as something to aspire to.Eddie Vedder is admired for his talent not only as a musician, but as a poet. Kurt is mourned for the loss of his potential contributions to art. If one takes a step back, he/she is reminded of a not so long ago time when rock-n-rollers were also dying of drug overdoses, when young considered music a way of life, when music defined who you were and where you were going. The time I am referring to is the Sixties and the Seventies when Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, and Led Zeppelin (all together) were around. Somehow, through the twisted Eighties, that music mentality was lost but has found an amazing resurgance in the alternative form.

Today's bands not only arouse those under thrity to moshing and crowd surfing, they project attitude and exude conviction. Their music has a message, whether that be the Bosstones, wondering where did you go, or Pearl Jam, making child abuse a musical topic. To be associated with the alternative wave is not just a music choice, it's an attitude statement. The controversy lies in the popularity of the music form. How can Belly, Blind Melon, Alice In Chains, or the Smashing Pumpkins be cool when the same American public made Michael Jackson a god? How can the American public be trusted when Vanilla Ice made a Number One Single? It's embarrassing. Our past mistakes have created a mentality that anything too popular can't be all that good. So now those on a different, alternative surge shy away from the big names and look for the bands that are Green Day before they were Green Day. The more random the band, the better. And once that band hits the mainstream, forget it. They have sold out, they are no longer worthy of lifelong dedication. Thousands of college students have hidden away their Dave Matthews CD's with the proclamation, "we knew them before they were big." Of course, this writing off of bands is a dangerous mind-set. Most people would have to admit that not every good band is accessible to everyone before they hit the mainstream. One may laugh at the Flaming Lips for their jelly song, a one-hit wonder, but fail to realize that the Lips have some serious material out there. (Of course, appearing on 90210 does little for your credibility. But then again, I'd do it if they asked me.)

The current association and alliance to the alternative rock scene is impressive. Yet, it takes a lot of work to break away from the belief that to be popular and recognized by the public is contemptible. Rather, these "indie rockers" should be rejoicing in the fact that good music is finally getting the credit it deserves. Rock and roll is a way of life. It should shape our ideas of a good time and promote music as an art form. Fans should support this art not only through CD purchases and ticket buys, but through attendence at the local level as well. Apprecation is not something the listening public should be shying away from. Rather, the alternative world should be rejoicing at the new revolution taking place in the hands of "indie rock" bands everywhere.

© Trincoll Journal, 1995.