Indie Rock


Home Evolution of Indie Genres Grunge Present Scene Email	The Birth of Indie Rock The music labels rose to power in the glam rock and hair metal scene of the 80s, and had almost all the bands playing, performing and writing the same kind of songs. From the hair metal bands like Poison and White Lion, to the boring Hollywood strip bands, every one seemed to be doing the same kind of stuff. This is when the consciousness of the musicians arose, and hence was born the independent rock music movement. Shortened to Indie rock, the movement has it’s origins in the early 80s scene in the United Kingdom. Indie rock then was a form of alternative rock with guitar based tunes and it was this kind of music that dominated the indie charts. Bands like Aztec Camera and Orange Juice set the standards for the scene back then, and some more bands that defined the British indie sound were the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Smiths and the Stone Roses. This indie rock music movement set the tone for further diversification in the genre when Britpop and the shoe gazing bands came about. Also instrumental in this time was the twee pop sound of the Sarah Records bands. The contemporary scene in the United States was driven by heavier guitar riffs and a do it yourself technique that helped them explore greater variety in the sound. Although this scene too was descended from the alternative rock movement, there was a more ambient quality to the music here, with a more abrasive guitar heavy sound like that of bands like Sonic Youth being associated with the indie rock movement. Bands like the Pixies are considered the major influence on the modern indie rock scene.

The Birth of Indie Rock

The music labels rose to power in the glam rock and hair metal scene of the 80s, and had almost all the bands playing, performing and writing the same kind of songs. From the hair metal bands like Poison and White Lion, to the boring Hollywood strip bands, every one seemed to be doing the same kind of stuff. This is when the consciousness of the musicians arose, and hence was born the independent rock music movement. Shortened to Indie rock, the movement has it’s origins in the early 80s scene in the United Kingdom. Indie rock then was a form of alternative rock with guitar based tunes and it was this kind of music that dominated the indie charts.

Bands like Aztec Camera and Orange Juice set the standards for the scene back then, and some more bands that defined the British indie sound were the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Smiths and the Stone Roses. This indie rock music movement set the tone for further diversification in the genre when Britpop and the shoe gazing bands came about. Also instrumental in this time was the twee pop sound of the Sarah Records bands.

The contemporary scene in the United States was driven by heavier guitar riffs and a do it yourself technique that helped them explore greater variety in the sound. Although this scene too was descended from the alternative rock movement, there was a more ambient quality to the music here, with a more abrasive guitar heavy sound like that of bands like Sonic Youth being associated with the indie rock movement. Bands like the Pixies are considered the major influence on the modern indie rock scene.