Is It Really Alternative When They Have Platinum Bands On Their Covers?

Fellow SPU alumnus/Washington Literacy cohort, Joel Hartse, wrote this statistically interesting, if not accurate, overview of "Alternative Press" magazine. Joel and I worked together for a bit and during that time, it was clear that we had some similar musical interests and others that were vastly different. I still hung onto the pop-punk bands that made high school bareable and Joel allowed his musical tastes to evolve. We exchanged musings on popular culture and some of the bands he let me in on are now favorites of mine. Our rapport during the summer of 2002 is easily one of my favorite memories from the SPU days.

Which brings me back to his take on Alt. Press. You'd think with my fanship of pop-punk, I'd disagree with Joel, but I have, without a shadow of a doubt, always hated this magazine. So I agree with Joel's insight into the rag. Not only is it explotative of "alternative" music, it's also one of the ugliest looking magazines that supposedly covers the indie scene. There are more ads in it than "Vice" and "Spin" and lately the photography on the covers have all looked the same. They're all menacing-looking pop-punk/screamo/extremo bands "vamped" with make-up and clothes baring the names of other bands or companies owned by their peers (see: Atticus, Clandestine, Level 42, etc.).

The thing I've found kind of funny about "Alternative Press" is that in the last 10 years, it has been far from alternative. In the November 2005 issue, of the bands they featured, seven are on major labels, six are on independent labels with major label distribution and promotion, and only one band has African-Americans in it (two to be exact). As far as the lack of women go, that's an issue that Jessica Hopper wrote about in "Punk Planet" a few years ago and I think her stance on it still holds water.

"Alternative Press" continues to be popular because they change with the times, and granted that's just good business, but you have to question their motivation and their devotion to indie music when a few years ago they had Limp Bizkit and Korn on their covers.

These trends continue on because most kids don't feel that they have a choice. Music fans in rural areas -- where they lack an independent bookstore and/or internet -- are not going to know that they don't have to listen to Fall Out Boy or that MTV isn't the ultimate pop music judge. As along as there are magazines such as "Alternative Press" to not break new bands, then there will always be a sect of brainwashed youth culture (i.e. Absolutepunk.net).

Related Links:
Ross Siegel interview on Paste Punk
Ryan's Lampoon of Vampire Bands
Wonka Vision Magazine
How To Be a Mallpunk