I'm not young any more, so can someone tell me the difference between Rock, Alternative, and Punk music? Is there a special beat to listen for? Is it the Lyrics? The melody? How would you classify Good Charlotte?

Ok, you ready, Gerry. Here we go.

You know what rock is. Rock is one of the most varied, diverse genres ever. In the 50s and 60s, it was rock N roll. In the 70s, it was classic rock, funk, soft rock, etc. In the 80s, it was new wave, alternative, metal, etc. So now, it's just stuff that's evolved out of that. Now we've got retro rock, soft rock, exteme heavy rock, industrial, etc.

Now the alternative you're talking about is a type of rock. It started in the 80s with bands like R.E.M., U2, Violent Femmes, Talking Heads, etc. Basically, it was music that was under the radar of popular stuff. Then alternative rock became popular, but the basic raw sound with the down play of flashiness stayed the same. Check out this post for more.

And punk. Punk is a type of rock that stems from bands like Velvet Underground and The Stooges. It was started in the mid-70s as an idea that bands can make music doing everything themselves without the big names and lots of media attention. The chords were usually simplistic (3 chords and stuff). The punk scene is still around today, but it's more downplayed by popularized bands that resemble punk bands. I'd classify Good Charlotte as this popular punk (or pop-punk). Completely opposite of the ideals of punk since they're popular. They just sound like them.

So, the main thing to distinguish alternative and punk from other styles is how they compare to the more popular area of music. Both are like counter-styles. Beat or lyrics not used to distinguish.

How's that? Any questions?

No questions, Justin, you sure are a genius in this field, thanks for taking the time to nicely explain the differences and the history! I asked about Good Charlotte because my 11 year old grandaughter thinks they're the greatest. When I asked her what type of music they do, she answrered, "well, I think its sort of Punk"! Sounds like she was right! By the way, yes, I do have another question, she claims she likes to dress the "gothic" look. What exactly is that? Is it related to the type of dress that certain musical groups wear? Sometimes she likes to dress in leather and a black cap. I know you'll have the answer, so thanks up front!

Hey, thanks, Gerry.

The gothic look basically consists of a certain auroa. Think of those old buildings and cathedreals that are called gothic style and think how it would look with clothes. It's all about having a dark and gloomy look. Full out goth look usually looks like it's taking it back to the 1400s in the dark ages. I think this site gives a pretty good, full definition. I wouldn't say music and fashion are one in the same. They're just interrelated. The music is based on a certain sound (which like the look is also gloomy and has dark moods). A lot of musicians who make the goth sound just also have the goth look.

Here's a picture. Maybe it'll give you a little of the idea of how some can look. That's Siouxsie from one of the most well known goth groups, Siouxsie & the Banshees.


Hopefully, Lynda sees your question and perhaps has some more input or can critique mine. She's like the resident goth.

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Oh and I don't know if I'd flat out say Good Charlotte is punk. Pop-punk and punk are pretty different things. Popular punk (pretty much an oxymoron) doesn't really do much with the do-it-yourself idea. And that scene idea is mostly what the whole term is based on. They both sound the same, but it doesn't really hold them together except for maybe Warped Tour.

And actually, scratch that other picture. This looks like a better picture to sum it up.

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"It's all about having a dark and gloomy look."

Man, that's really a sucky explaination. Scratch it. More like this: There's a certain dark and gloomy mood that they try to convey through their clothes.

Justin...It's no small wonder that you were named Enthusiast of the Month! I sure now know where to go to get my music/style questions answered. Thank you very much!

hi there!

yup, took me long enough, but i saw this thread. finally.

Goth is complex. very complex. you can have anything from combat boots/skin head goth to romantic/we love vampires goth, and both ends of the spectrum will tell you that the other end is not 'real' goth.
to me, both are goth. just different interpretations of it.

there are goths who are truly miserable and that is why they dress like that, there are those that like the shock factor (think marilyn manson), and there are those that are in love with the 'romantic' version of goth. (thats me).
for me its about showing how beautiful things can be even in all black and gloom.
there are the poetic goths who claim that they wear all black to show they are 'mourning for the loss of your mortal soul'.
i get a kick out of the poetic goths.

as for your granddaughter, being 11 and loving good charolette, i think her goth look is stemming from the bands image. while i wouldnt classify their look as pure goth, more of a punk/goth hybrid that seems to be popular right now, she can call it what she wants. its her own version of goth.

Yay!

How are my Siouxsie & the Banshees pictures? A good picture of the look?

Come to think of it, I might not scratch that first Siouxsie picture.

acutally, those are gret pictures!
the first one is more the 'scary' goth, and the second is more 'romantic' goth, although showing a lot of 80s style.

My thoughts on your 3 definitions -

A lot of times anymore, all 3 are interchangeable, although "alternative" is more a moniker used in the 80's and 90's - at least where I come from.

Anymore, it's all about what the band calls their own genre. Someone like, for example, Starting Line may say they're a rock band, but play a lot of punk-rhythm beats, but really don't want to be classified, that cuts off a lot of audiences, and sales. I think this is the case with a lot of bands anymore who want to go mainstream radio - don't call yourself this or that, at the risk of cutting off listening audiences. "Rock" is the preferred label anymore it seems.

Yeah, back in the college rock era is when 'alternative' actually seemed like a useful term. Now it's just another vauge, bastarized term. My local "alternative" rock station uses it as an umbrella for anything rock that isn't played primarily on top 40 already. So that's almost all rock really.

Alternative to what?

Grammy’s ‘best alternative music’ category begs the question - MSNBC.com

well a good new punk pop band im into is STRIKE 2!. My friend from umgd told me about them and they have a great sound! Similar to OTHER BAND NAMES DELETED



(You have 2 strikes and no balls. - DG) (Lord, forgive me, I love my job so.)

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