What it is, what to hear first, and what sits next to it.
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. .