Powerstars

Ladies and gents...

We'll start with maybe the most famous Alternative band. In 1989, Nirvana released their first album, Bleach, on indie label Sub Pop, but it wasn't until 1991, with the massive single "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and album Nevermind, that they really took off. Lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Kurt Cobain, later denounced the track, saying it was a "Pixies knockoff."

In 1992, Kurt married the leader of grunge band Hole, Courtney Love. It was then that the couple's drug use began to make headlines. Kurt was arrested several times for drug use and threatening to kill himself. In 1993, the band released the their album, In Utero. It would be their last. In 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead in his greenhouse, of a presumably self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a suicide note.

After Kurt's death, Nirvana songs and albums continued being released, including the Unplugged album, and the hit single, "You Know You're Right." Meanwhile, bassist Krist Novoselic became a lawyer, and drummer Dave Grohl is still rockin' with Foo Fighters!

For the song, how about my favorite one from them, "Heart Shaped Box?"

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Trollheart

You want a title card for this? Say the word and I'll knock one up for ya!

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Powerstars

Yeah man, that sounds great!

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Powerstars

*snazzy logo by Trollheart*
The Smashing Pumpkins originally formed in 1988, and became successful with 1993's Siamse Dream, which contained everything from Shoegaze, to Heavy Metal, to Prog Rock, to Dream Pop. The album was a huge success and put the band on the map. In 1995, they released what lead vocalist Billy Corgan called "The Wall for Generation X," Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The album was universally praised. It was around this time that Billy got his iconic bald-head. For their next album (This time, without drummer Jimmy Chamberlin), Adore, the band adopted an electronic sound. Then, they reunited with Chamberlin for a brief tour. But then bassist D'arcy Wretzky left. The band released Machina and (strange for 2000) free digital-only Machina 2 before splitting in 2000.In 2005, the band reformed, with only Chamberlin and Corgan as original members. In 2009, Chamberlin quit/was fired for unknown reasons. The band has continued since, but fan reaction has been mixed.For this, I chose their single "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" from 1995's Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Enjoy!

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Powerstars

Ladies and gentlemen, the first alternative band to break into the mainstream, the one and only Stone Roses. Formed in 1983 from the remnants of a Clash-inspired band called The Patrol, The Roses had, quite possibly, the most well-regarded first album in all of the genre. The Stone Roses, released in 1989, with such great singles as "Made Of Stone" and "She Bangs The Drums," put the band on the map with their jangle pop sound.

Due to legal troubles, deaths of people close to the band, and loss of founding member Ian Fricke, it took 5 years for the follow-up, Second Coming to come out, and when it did, it was panned for changing the Jangle Pop of the first album to a more aggressive Blues Rock sound, though some have come to appreciate it. The band unsurprisingly broke up 2 years later.

In 2011, the Roses reformed and went on tour, and there may be a new album on the way.

For my song, I picked a single from the much-panned Second Coming. Enjoy, and remember, Love Spreads!

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Isbjørn

The twelve days of alternative seems like a great idea, and you, sir, just gained one more reader!

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Powerstars

Thanks man, always glad to have another reader!Muse formed in 1994, and released their first album, Showbiz, in 1999. They became popular in 2001 with Origin Of Symmetry, and continued with the critically acclaimed Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations, getting complimented by Queen themselves. Then they made a more electro album and everyone went crazy.You could say they went into "Hysteria!"

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butthead aka 216

Wow, I should have been paying more attention to this journal. I love The Smashing Pumpkins so much, and really like Nirvana as well. Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness is a true alt classic... Gonna have to listen to some of it now I think.


Interesting you mentioned Hole in the Nirvana write-up... I wonder if Hole could make an appearance in this journal? I only ask because I kinda like them too.

Powerstars

Actually no, but that wouldn't have been a bad idea. I've heard a few of their tracks, and I like them a hell of a lot more than I like Courtney as a person. xD

As for Mellon Collie, I'm still trying to get into it, because of the double album fatigue. I do enjoy a few tracks off it now though.

In any case, thanks for reading!

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Powerstars

Jellyfish formed in 1989, and released their first album Bellybutton in 1990. It was a modest commercial success, but guitarist Jason Falkner left after the tour. In 1993, they released their second and final album, Spilt Milk. Then they broke up the next year.

Here's my favorite track by them, "Too Much, Too Litttle, Too Late."

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