Greatest Alternative Acts of the 80s

From TV’s Stranger Things and recent releases like Atomic Blonde in the cinemas, the 80s are back with a bang. And what of music? The 80s were a decade during which the odd and the eccentric were celebrated, yet many millennials today are drawn to the combined sounds of synths, guitars and electronic beats.

The School of Popular Music – your favourite music school in Guernsey – takes a look at some of the most popular underground acts of the 80s which have gone on to influence musicians to this very day.

The Cure

This band is famed for their 80s hits such as “Just Like Heaven”, “The Lovecats” and “Lullaby”, along with their iconic image of smeared lipstick and wild, backcombed hair – a look particularly championed by lead singer Robert Smith. They were one of the first alternative bands to enjoy both commercial and critical success, even before alternative rock had managed to break into the mainstream. Their music has influenced bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead and The Rapture.

New Order

The song “Blue Monday” has now become a staple in modern dancefloors and film soundtracks. Its mechanical sound and immensely catchy beat exemplifies the style of this 80s alternative band, known for their mixture of electronics, post-punk and dance music. Thanks to their influence on dance-rock music and synth-pop, they have gained a reputation as one of the most important and talented bands to have come from the 80s.

Depeche Mode

Dubbed “The Godfathers of Techno”, Depeche Mode are arguably the most successful and influential electronic band of all time. Their ability to mix and blend genres like goth, rock, pop, techno and house as well as making use of various instruments such as guitars, piano, keyboards and synthesisers is mainly what has made their songs stand out so much. Martin Gore’s soulful and poetic lyrics combined with Dave Gahan’s deep baritone voice is one of those rare partnerships in popular music that has gone on to influence an innumerable number of other bands, including The Killers, Linkin Park and Rammstein.

REM

It’s impossible to be a fan of alternative rock without having been influenced by this band. Formed in 1976, the band went on to enjoy success in the 80s with singles like “The One I Love” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. They continued to be one of the biggest bands in the alternative scene during the 90s and the early 2000s, until calling it quits in 2011 – much to the disappointment of their dedicated fanbase.

Fancy learning some of these brilliant 80s songs? If you’re looking for music lessons in Guernsey, contact us at the School of Popular Music – we also offer drums, guitar and singing lessons in Guernsey.