Culture · Geography · Health · History · Mathematics · Natural sciences · Philosophy · Religion · Society · Technology
Though the genre is considered to be rock, some of its subgenres are influenced by folk music, reggae, electronic music and jazz among other genres. At times alternative rock has been used as a catch-all phrase for rock music from underground artists in the 1980s, all music descended from punk rock (including punk itself, New Wave, and post-punk), and, ironically, for rock music in general in the 1990s and 2000s.
Frank Black (born April 6, 1965 as Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Active since 1985, Black is best known as leader of the influential alternative rock band Pixies, where he performed under the stage name Black Francis. Following the band's breakup in 1993, he embarked on a solo career under his current pseudonym. After releasing two albums with 4AD, he left the label and formed a backing band, Frank Black and the Catholics. Black reformed the Pixies in 2004 and continues to release solo records while touring and recording with the band.
Black's vocal style has varied from a screaming, yowling delivery as lead vocalist of the Pixies to a more measured and melodical style in later Pixies' albums and solo career. His cryptic lyrics mostly explore unconventional subjects, such as surrealism, incest and Biblical violence, along with dam collapses, science fiction and surf culture. His use of atypical meter signatures, loud-quiet dynamics and distinct preference for live-to-two-track recording in his career as a solo artist give him a unique style in alternative rock.
Dream Days at the Hotel Existence is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band Powderfinger, released by Universal Records on 2 June 2007 in Australia, and 19 November 2007 in the United Kingdom. It was released with a limited edition bonus DVD, titled Powderfinger's First XI, featuring eleven music videos spanning the band's career, from the first single, "Tail" to "Bless My Soul", the band's latest single before the release of the album.
Powderfinger reunited in late 2006, after a three year hiatus, to write songs for Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, which was recorded in Los Angeles, California, in early 2007 by producer Rob Schnapf. The first single from the album, "Lost and Running" was released on 12 May 2007, and reached number five on the ARIA singles chart. The second single "I Don't Remember", was released on 12 August 2007.
The album received critical acclaim, with many reviewers commenting that the album was "consistent" and "distinctly Australian". The album encountered controversy relating to the song "Black Tears" with claims that it may have influenced the Palm Island death in custody trial. Powderfinger released an abridged version of the song as a result of these accusations.
- September 17, 2008 Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl announces that the band will be taking a long hiatus of indefinite length and for fans not to expect a new album for several years. (NME)
- September 9, 2008 After the expiration of their contract with major label Geffen Records, Sonic Youth sign a one-album deal with Matador Records. (Billboard)
- September 2, 2008 The Smashing Pumpkins announce plans to issue their new single "G.L.O.W." as part of a download pack for the upcoming video game Guitar Hero: World Tour. Players will also be able to play as frontman Billy Corgan in the game. (Billboard)
- August 18, 2008 30 Seconds to Mars is sued for breach of contract by its record label Virgin Records for $30 million (Billboard)
- August 5, 2008 Conor Oberst releases a self-titled album Conor Oberst - his first in 13 years. The album was released on Merge Records.
- July 21, 2008 Paul Westerberg releases a new album online for download for 49 cents. (Billboard)
- July 9, 2008 Former members of Green River rehearse together in anticipation of a reunion performance at the Sub Pop 20th anniversary celebration on July 13. (Billboard)
- July 7, 2008 Alex James of Blur reveals that the band nearly reunited to headline the 2008 Glastonbury festival. (NME)
- June 19, 2008 Oasis sign a new three-album deal with Sony BMG. (Billboard)
- June 19, 2008 Coldplay's single "Viva la Vida" reaches number one on the US Billboard singles chart. (Billboard)
- June 13, 2008 Atlantic Records sues Stone Temple Pilots members Scott Weiland and Eric Kretz, claiming they are trying to prematurely end their recording contract. (Billboard)
- June 3, 2008: Radiohead's back catalogue has been made available on iTunes, making them one of the last high-profile bands to put their music on the download store.
- June 1, 2008: The ashes of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain have been stolen, according to his widow Courtney Love. (NME)
- ...that Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy was the original model for Maxell's "Blown Away Guy" ad campaign?
- ...that the Minutemen made Double Nickels on the Dime into a double album after learning Hüsker Dü were releasing their own double album, Zen Arcade?
- ...that Hüsker Dü guitarist and Sugar frontman Bob Mould once worked as a World Championship Wrestling scriptwriter?
- ...that, when writing their breakthrough single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nirvana's Kurt Cobain revealed he "was trying to rip of the Pixies"?
- ...that the cover of The Stone Roses' 1989 album The Stone Roses was inspired by the the Paris student riots of 1968?
Create: The Winter Hours • "Calling All Angels" • Glide
Expand: College rock • Dream pop • Noise pop • Flesh for Lulu • Gogogo Airheart • Happy Mondays • Dogmazic (from French)
- Alternative rock artists: R.E.M., Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Replacements, Wilco, Pixies, The Smiths, Radiohead
- List of indie rock musicians: Elliott Smith, Death Cab for Cutie, Pavement, Sonic Youth, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Arctic Monkeys, Electric Six
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 7 October 2008, at 10:19.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by PediaView.com. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with PediaView.com.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Portal:Alternative music".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.