Alternative styles of Music that Thrived in The Eighties

80s punk bands

One of the most iconic styles of music in the 80s was punk rock. Punk rock was not necessarily a new genre of music but more of a new style and attitude towards making music. The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Ramones are just a few punk rock bands that made their mark on the 80s. These bands are still popular even though they have been broken up for years. These bands are known for their raw lyrics, fast beats, and overall anti-establishment and anti-corporate sentiment. Some other punk rock bands from the 80s include Bad Religion, The Dead Milkmen, The Descendents, The Dickies, The Exploited, Fear, GBH, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Offspring, The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Social Distortion, The Suicide Machines, The Misfits, and The Vandals.

80s Rock Music

Rock music is one of the most famous and well-known types of music. It has been around since the 50s and has evolved and changed over the decades. Most rock music from the 80s is heavily influenced by the genres punk rock and new wave. It was a great time for rock music since bands were still experimenting with new sounds and ideas. Rock music from the 80s usually has a heavy focus on electric guitars, drums, and cymbals. Vocals are usually melodic and have a rough texture to them as well as choruses that are easy to sing along to. Some examples of rock music from the 80s include The Cure, The Cars, INXS, The Eurythmics, The Go-Go’s, Huey Lewis and the News, The Police, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and The Who.

80s Alternative Music

Alternative music is one of the most popular genres of music today. It is also one of the oldest genres of music still being made. The genre has changed and evolved over the years but its core essence has stayed the same. Alternative music is music that is different from pop and rock music. It is usually loud, fast, and heavy on the drums. Vocally, it can be melodic and smooth or louder and more abrasive. Some examples of alternative music from the 80s include The Cure, Culture Club, Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, INXS, Joy Division, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Killers, New Order, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Tears for Fears, and U2.

80s Rock Covers of Pop Songs

Rock music and pop music have been friends ever since they met. Rock bands usually cover pop songs because they are catchy and are a great way to experiment with different styles of music. Pop covers from the 80s include The Cure covering “Where the Wild Roses Grow” by Nick Cave, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics, and “Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure. A surprising rock cover of a pop song is “Take on Me” by A-ha. A-ha is a Norwegian synthpop band but their cover of “Take on Me” is a rock song and is played in bars and sporting venues across the world.

80s Heavy Metal and Metal Music

Heavy metal and metal music have been around since the 70s. It is one of the loudest and most abrasive genres of music. Metal music from the 80s is a lot different from metal music today. The 80s metal music is a lot simpler and less technical with less focus on solos. Metal music from the 80s is loud, abrasive, and heavy on the drums and cymbals. Vocally, metal music is a lot more aggressive than other genres of music with a lot of growling and screaming. Metal music is usually fast with simple, easy to remember beats and choruses. Some examples of metal music from the 80s include Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motörhead, Saxon, and The Wasp.

80s Electronic Music

Electronic music is one of the newest genres and also one of the most interesting. It uses instruments that are electronic or synthesized instead of real instruments. Electronic music is usually accompanied by a strong, hypnotic beat or rhythm. Electronic music from the 80s is a lot different from electronic music today. It is a lot less complex and more simplistic. The beats are usually slower and the music is a lot lighter than the music being made today. Electronic music from the 80s includes artists such as Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Conclusion

Punk Rock in the 80s was a weird and wonderful time for music. It was a perfect storm of influences, genres and ideas coming together to produce some of the best music from the movement.