.TRENDS ‘Underground' music is branching out By Momotose Nishiyama Emerald Contributor The term alternative mu sic" is a broad name used to encompass the whole gamut of non popular music genres The label is normally used to designate new music that is not commercialized through other existing genres such as top 40. country and western, and heavy metal But just what can be classified as "alternative"? Unlike the alternative music scene of the '80s. the music of the 90s isn't so easy to classify It used to be that al ternative meant either post punk or hardcore music But diversity and increased acces sibility are current trends in alternative music According to John Ether idge. program director for community radio station KRVM the only station in Eu gene which airs modern mu sic. the trend in non commer cial radio programming is the acceptance of diversity of styles by radio programmers and stations There is defi mtely a diversity of musical styles We no longer have |ust punk or new wave."he said The wide range of styles un der the alternative umbrella is enormous Included are the aforementioned post punk, hardcore and new wave, but that s only the tip of the ice berg Some of the latest trends in modern music in elude "new beat (electronic hypnotic music often heard in dance clubs, which originated a few years back in Belgium), industrial (nihilistic, gloomy electronic music), and even rap Many artists combine a number of elements of exist mg forms to create their own distinct sound Among them are The Red Hot Chili Pep pers. which fuses rock, funk and rap and punk. The Pogues, which mix elements of traditional Irish folk with rock and punk, and Bad Brains a hardcore reggae band The 60s psychedelia meets 80s rock style is also widely used The exponents include The Primitives, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Church REM and the critically ac claimed Smithereens Electronic ("techno-pop") music is still going strong in the 90s, with groups like Camouflage. Erasure, Xymox. and New Order leading the way Even modern rock fla vored country artists, such as k d lang and Lyle Lovett, are considered to be alternative However, the biggest trend in alternative music seems to be the emergence and accept ance of world" music When asked about the future of the alternative music scene Eth eridge said. We will see more world music mixed in — music from all over the world that is He mentioned South America. Africa and the Caribbeans as likely sources of this genre Unlike the 80s. when world music usually meant reggae styles from all over the world are gaining more exposure Brazilian music has gotten a huge amount of help from Talking Heads David Byrne who compiled and released two albums of Brazilian pop songs along with a solo al bum of his own which incor porates Brazilian styles Music from Pakistan Zaire and Cuba have been released in the States through the Real World label, which was co founded by Peter Gabriel Oth er recording artists who have their international sounds re leased in America include Kassav , Kaoma. Ladysmith Black Marnbazo and the Bui garian State Radio and Televi Sion Female Choir Another trend in alternative music is the increased acces sibility to this music More al ternative artists are being signed by maior record com panics than ever before, and therefore are distributed wide iy Some major label artists such as The Cure and The B 52's have recently received mainstream attention al though they initially started out in alternative circles Up and coming groups like Red Lorry Yellow Lorry the Stone Roses, Severed Heads, and Passion Fodder have been recently released in the U S through major labels, and therefore are more accessible to the public Although alternative music in general does not sell as well as commercial pop mu sic there exists a market for the style Even though some underground artists are dis tributed with ease by big re cord companies, many are still found through indepen dent or import record labels According to Charlie Simp son, an employee at House of Records. Import records are hard to get The demand is high but the supply is low Therefore, most alternative music distributed through irn ports are less accessible But they do sell well, Simpson said When asked about which al ternative artists sell well at House of Records. Simpson said that Sub Pop (a Seattle based label with groups like* Mudhoney Soundgurden, and Nirvana) are the rage now and 4AD (a British record compa ny with the Pixies, Cocteau Twins and Throwing Muses on their rosier) sells well also He added that groups like Ministry, a nihilistic, hard driv ing rock band, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers are fast sellers as well There will always be a chan nel for those who prefer new and cutting edge music over the predictable top 40 music But for those alternative fol lowers increased diversity and accessibility will expose them to more variety within the field — Alpine Import Service_ I he VOIVO Spec i.ilists 12th & Main Winter Fitness Analysis • Oil change, genuine VOLVO filter and 4 quarts of nil •Complete maintenance < hec k of major c omponents • Inspection of joints, battf* terns,cool slai systems, tire's, wipers and all fluid levels For Appointment call 726-1808 wh^Byour WVOLVO Defining Men's Fashion For the 90's DlSIOXIR Cjioh-m Irxxiiir s nixv ONIONS I OR Ml \ IN ( OMIORIXHII N XII R XI IIHRI ( l()l IIIN(> I ROM XROt NO INI XXORII) l Sill I I R XX I I I’RODI ( IS I OR XII (.IOHI IROI MRS XM) l NIQl I I (II k XRI I’ll < I S .Jill SI I'l Ml l( \I\KKI I IXIWNSI MRS EASTSIDE LAUNDROMAT 1430 Orchard St. 345-6133 COIN OP DROP OFF ATTENDED 10-5:30 MWF DRY CLEANING iujme: Boai Gaub > •" Hi to ft/v ft/' Sewujeti1 /tan VuatW. 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