REM

REM is probably one of the first bands that got labeled as alternative. Back in those days (1980) they introduced a new kind of sound to the scene.

As hair metal was getting ready to take over the world, REM stood out of the mainstream. Guitarist Peter Buck takes a lot of recognition for that. His way of playing the guitar was very original, long ringing tones gave the recognizable trademark to REM.

Of course the other element of success is the charismatic vocalist Michael Stipe.
During initial years REM was mostly played on college radios, their first single from those early days was "Radio Free Europe". This alt-college genre lasted for some 7 years.

In 1987. REM scored a major hit with a single "The One I Love". A classic rocker even by today’s standards. The success soon allowed them to sign a good deal with Warner Bros Records.

So along comes the second era of REM – the one that extends music further then just.. em, music. REM started playing big arena gigs while promoting environmentalism (and politics).

REM kept going strong and were rightfully introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

1980s were strange years with "super-happy-smiley" bands that usually rotated only a handful of subjects (girls, partying, good time), but REM stood there to bring back the social issues into rock n roll. This will secure them survival on through the 90s, while the former long haired guys took the plunge.