First wave of British alternative bands still resonates with new fans

With the advent of the internet and social media, it is not surprising that all kinds of music previously unknown would break out of their niche and mass larger amounts of fans and attention. Within the United Kingdom, many bands surfaced during the punk movement and after, creating the post-punk movement.

Sex Pistols: A band made up of John Lydon, Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock, and most notoriously, the late Simon Ritchie also referred to as Sid Vicious. This band had a storied history of controversy, which is to be expected for a punk band. Their music consisted of simple song structures and lyrics rebelling against almost everything John hated, Record labels, the U.K. Government, you name it, Lydon probably didn’t like it. With Lydon leaving the band in 1978, the band fell apart. The band’s influence is still felt today as this band is cited as one of the most influential punk bands of all time. They had the simple music, the attitude and the politics to make something memorable, and even after the band disbanded, people still fondly remember the Sex Pistols.
Seventeen

The Cure: This band has had over 10 members over their active years, but its current lineup consists of Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, Rodger O’Donnell, Perry Bamonte, Jason Cooper and Reeves Gabiels. This band started in Crawley, West Sussex, riding the punk wave that had emerged at their time for their first album. However, the depressing time for England had a lasting impact on their music, as they would go on to write somber and sometimes downright depressing songs about life, love, whatever the frontman, Smith had come up with. While this band is over 40 years old, they still have devoted fans both new and old who connect with the bands unique style and downer tones.
A Forest (Remastered Version)

The Smiths: Formed in 1982, Steven Patrick Morrisey, Johnny Marr Andy Rourke, MIke Joyce and Craig Gannon came together to form The Smiths, a band with an interesting history. The band’s music usually has a more upbeat to neutral sound, but the topics of each song are characterized by the singer/songwriter Morrisey, who spent most of his time alone inside writing away about his life or things he felt. This band has come under heat because of Morrisey and his habits of saying what is on his mind bluntly, even if it’s controversial and no one agrees with him. Despite the artist, the fans are very devoted and passionate about the music itself. Despite never reaching any worldwide stardom, most people who have heard of The Smiths like them.
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (2011 Remaster)

Joy Division/ New Order: Forming originally in 1976, Joy Division was a post-punk phenomenon that held within it a sad true story about one man, Ian Curtis. Curtis was a 23-year-old man suffering from epileptic seizures and depression, playing live on stages with bright and flashing lights would cause these attacks. Eventually, After cheating and dealing with a divorce, on May 18, 1980, Curtis commitied suicide on the eve of the band’s American tour. People often remember how the band ended, but not how another began. Not long after the death of Curtis, the remaining band members came together to make New Order, taking a slightly more electronic and upbeat approach to their music, though most of the depressing parts of Joy Division were in no small part due to Curtis’s songwriting, taking from his trauma and writing it all down only to perform it live.  These two bands, sharing a history, are often remembered together, despite their differences and loss of a band member, fans still appreciate the other side of the coin.
Joy Division – She’s Lost Control (Official Reimagined Video)

New Order – Blue Monday (Official Lyric Video)

Here are what some students think of these bands:

Ava Pendleton: “I really enjoy The Smiths and The Cure, but I think that the Sex Pistols have contributed a lot to rock music today. I love their music and what they’ve done for the punk movement in the UK is incredible. They’re definitely one of the first British punk bands. I listen to The Smiths daily though. They 100 percent brought a new wave of rock music in the UK. I think The Smiths made great music, although I despise Morrissey.”

Abby Colton: “I personally love all of these, but the Smiths are my absolute favorite. I have almost their entire discography spread across all of my personal Spotify playlists. Morrissey’s (lead vocal) voice can be subjectively obnoxious or annoying to some due to how breathy it can be, but I personally find it to be beautiful. Their music is a jangle-pop, permanent wave sort-of combo with clear inspirations from David Bowie, The Who, The Cranberries, Oasis, etc. The lyrical content is melancholic and dreary and backed up by dreamy and catchy melodies and mid-tempo grooves.”

Walker Taylor: “Reminds me of good memories with my mother and provides a nice change of pace from my usual taste. I’m just about always willing to rock out to Anarchy in the UK.”  

Marajadyn Rodgers: “I like the Smiths but don’t listen to the others.”