Indie rock, a subgenre of
rock music, is often used to refer to bands that are on small,
independent record labels[?] or who aren't on labels at all. In the
1980s, these bands were referred to as "alternative", since they were quite alternative to mainstream rock at that time. However, indie rock was effectively launched when
Nirvana broke into the mainstream along with several other bands, taking the "alternative" label with them, ironically enough. "Indie rock" tends to be an umbrella term covering everyone from the
Elephant 6 collective to the
Pixies to the
Cocteau Twins; the main thing tying these bands together is their existence in the underground. Some related genres include
emo,
lo-fi,
alternative rock,
twee pop and
Britpop.
Bands:
See also: List of indie labels
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