Alternative rock
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Alternative rock is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s with the likes of the grun
R.E.M., one of the first alternative rock bands, relied on college-radio airplay, constant touring, and a grassroots fanbase to break into the mainstream.
Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth performing in July 2005
Robert Smith of the Cure performing in June 2004
Nirvana's Kurt Cobain (right) and Krist Novoselic (left) performing at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1992
Punk rock
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Punk rock is a genre of music that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the overproduction and corporate nature of mainstream arena rock.
1980s punks with leather jackets and dyed mohawk hairstyles
Iggy Pop, sometimes referred to as the "godfather of punk."
The Kingsmen in 1966. Their cover of "Louie, Louie" was later referred to as punk rock's "ur-text".
The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" was later cited as an early progenitor of punk rock.