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Covering the local underground alternative scene

Started by ruggedjackal68 · · 👁 6 views · 59 replies

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Participants ruggedjackal68Nicole Garcia3swiftangler2gentlegull93Sean Doyle97Patrick Cooper2graniteeagle41Kyle Morris7restlessdrifter692Kevin Chavez3Samuel Morgan40granitepumaMichelle Williams5velvetfalcon34Kyle Ward5
Kyle Morris7 Kyle Morris7 Active Member
62 messages
joined Feb 2010
#21 ·
I have to give credit where it’s due to Charmer... if it weren't for them, things would be significantly worse than they already are. However, we have to face the reality that very few people actually bother with what's labeled as "underground" or "alternative." Some might argue that popularity isn't their goal, but honestly, that's just nonsense... everyone wants to succeed. If that weren't true, they'd all just be playing in their basements or local garages, performing solely for themselves without ever caring if a single soul was listening to their music. I also suspect that those specific labels—"underground" and "alternative"—actually serve to push people away...
Most people, the moment they hear those terms, immediately assume they're dealing with some group of oddballs playing bizarre, unlistenable music. Therefore, we really ought to scrap those labels entirely; let's just call rock "rock" and metal "metal," rather than muddling through with these off-putting descriptors. Beyond having websites like Charmer's, which clearly aren't enough on their own, there needs to be some sort of further action taken... though I'm not quite certain what that entails. But I do know that it is possible to achieve greatness right here in America. If that punk known as Psy—whom even Mica Trofrtaljka considers a top-tier artist—was able to reach such heights, then it means anyone can truly make it... even someone from America!
graniteeagle41 graniteeagle41 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Mar 2014
#22 ·
When it comes to rock music, there’s a serious lack of talent and fresh ideas. It isn't a media issue. The reality is that nobody is willing to put in the actual work. Zele hit the nail on the head when he explained this earlier—
. I wouldn't call myself a fan of his, but he's making a valid point here.
restlessdrifter692 restlessdrifter692 Active Member
81 messages
joined May 2009
#23 ·
@ Kyle Morris7 if I recall correctly, you're talking about a textbook case of interconnected vessels here.😬
Kevin Chavez3 Kevin Chavez3 Veteran
2.4K messages
joined Dec 2002
#24 ·
Sean Doyle97 said:By the way, breaking into the mainstream isn't the only reason people stick to the underground...

This isn't even our scene, you idiot... 😁
Patrick Cooper2 Patrick Cooper2 Member
11 messages
joined Oct 2011
#25 ·
William Hughes40 said:I actually tried sharing a few links to some newer sources in response to your earlier question, but it seems I crossed a line because the moderators wiped them right away. It’s a bit confusing to me why the links in your own post were left untouched, but I suppose we just have to roll with it.

It might be worth taking a quick look through the community guidelines PDF; it explains pretty clearly that any posts consisting solely of anonymous links—unless the URL itself makes the content obvious—are subject to being removed. 😉
Kyle Morris7 Kyle Morris7 Active Member
62 messages
joined Feb 2010
#26 ·
Zele is spot on, everything checks out... for instance, that plain white t-shirt that kid is wearing is such a classic blunder for those self-proclaimed underground types and indie kids. They’d probably be the first ones to chime in, saying something about how much they couldn't care less about fashion or branding... but for a true rocker, you just can't get away with looking that casual...
graniteeagle41 graniteeagle41 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Mar 2014
#27 ·
She could have at least given it a bit of a rough treatment and made it look used... or maybe just capitalized the A. 🤣
Nicole Garcia3 Nicole Garcia3 Member
16 messages
joined May 2015
#28 ·
graniteeagle41 said:I'm really interested in the local rock scene—people talk about these amazing bands and the whole vibe so much, but I honestly don't know many of them. I know a few decent ones that mostly just play covers and maybe throw in an original track here or there. Could someone give me a bit more info?

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Samuel Morgan40 Samuel Morgan40 Active Member
178 messages
joined Mar 2010
#29 ·
William Hughes40 said:I actually tried posting a few links to some "fresh" names as a follow-up to your earlier question—but apparently, that’s against the rules, and the moderators wiped them out. I don't quite grasp why the links in your own post were left untouched, but whatever.

It's because he actually identified what the links were. 😉 Raw links without any context of "who or what" usually get scrubbed since most of those sites end up dead anyway. At least this way, people actually know what they're looking at—which means some might not even need to bother clicking.
ruggedjackal68 ruggedjackal68 MemberOP
17 messages
joined Mar 2014
#30 ·
Kyle Morris7 said:There’s actually been a site like this floating around for ages. It was run by Charmer, obviously. The OP is acting like they don't know what's going on, or maybe they're just...?

Kyle Morris7 said:The way this thread is set up makes it sound like some groundbreaking new initiative, so let’s not pretend we don't realize exactly what's being discussed here. Of course, promoting new bands is essential, and using various websites to do so is standard practice. The real question is whether this specific approach actually works. Charmer, along with several others, has been trying to push things this way for years without much to show for it. Clearly, that particular method isn't cutting it when it comes to real promotion. I mean, maybe we should look at how artists from smaller countries managed to break through—take Finnish or Swedish bands, for example. It’s definitely possible; if you look back twenty years, almost every major rock or metal icon was American or British. Nowadays, that landscape has shifted massively, and talent is popping up from everywhere. I just don't know why we haven't seen that same kind of breakout from America yet.🤷

I'm not playing coy, and I wasn't claiming to be the one who started something entirely unprecedented in this field, but who's to say this isn't a different tactical approach to band promotion? I didn't come here to list everything we've accomplished in the past or our grand future plans. My point is simply that we need multiple platforms dedicated to this because you have to attack the problem from every conceivable angle to get these bands noticed. In my eyes, this whole scene and these musicians deserve a much larger audience. Beyond the names I mentioned or those others have brought up in their posts, there are so many more incredible acts out there that people just aren't hearing about. And sure, someone might say, "That band broke up, so why bother promoting them?" But I think we should still keep their music alive. You never know—a specific melody, a lyric, or a certain sound might spark an inspiration in someone else, leading them to start their own project. Maybe someone discovers an old band that disbanded years ago and builds their entire career based on that influence. By promoting these groups, we aren't just building a space for advertisements; we're shaping the culture. Music moves people, and a single band can become the catalyst for a listener's own creative journey. That's why we have to keep pushing forward. This isn't just about building a better stage for performers or educating the public on the high caliber of talent we have here in the States; it's about fostering a society that knows how to value hard work and dedication. Now, I realize I'm drifting into a much deeper philosophical discussion than I originally intended...
.. but .. in the beginning, this wasn't even a full-blown website; it started as an internet radio station. Back then, I’d play tracks (without a formal DJ, mostly due to gear limitations), and we even hosted a special segment with a giveaway where we distributed five DVDs of a concert recording in collaboration with the band Bulldozer (from a small town near Chicago). Eventually, due to scheduling conflicts and inconsistent airtime, I transitioned into launching the portal. I spent a lot of time coding the design from scratch, redesigning it several times, and staying in constant contact with a huge community of people. I met so many wonderful individuals who offered incredible support, telling me all the time how much they enjoyed following the project. Through the site, I actually managed to reach a few thousand readers, and I even heard through the grapevine that word was spreading in certain circles, creating a positive ripple effect... and that's exactly why I'm not giving up on this...
To put it simply, our roadmap involves breathing new life into our radio shows and building out a homegrown database—think of it as a localized version of Bandcamp or MySpace—where users can use a lightning-fast search tool to find any band from right here in the States. We’ve already rolled out several new features, and there are plenty more in the pipeline waiting to be launched; we’ve got the drive and the creative spark to make it happen, which is why everything is still very much alive and kicking over at 🙂. Everything we’ve accomplished so far is the result of my own hard work combined with the incredible support of my colleagues and friends—I honestly can't thank them enough for everything they've done—and looking ahead, our entire volunteer crew is dedicated to one single mission: promoting local bands. There is so much more to come, but it really all boils down to pure hustle and the refusal to quit. I truly hope this evolves into a community where readers drop by with nothing but good intentions to support their favorite artists, and where bands feel empowered to drop their debut tracks, eagerly anticipating those first waves of listener feedback...
Kyle Morris7 Kyle Morris7 Active Member
62 messages
joined Feb 2010
#31 ·
Alright, I see you’re making an effort here, and I’ll admit my previous comment might have come off a bit too harsh... I do agree that we need to find every possible way to promote these bands, but clearly, what we have right now isn't quite cutting it. You should really give some thought to using terms like "underground" or "alternative"... to most people, those labels carry a certain stigma, and as soon as they hear them, they immediately picture a bunch of losers who just use being "non-mainstream" as a pathetic excuse for their own lack of success. Even the title itself feels a bit clunky and unpolished. Furthermore, the word soul brings to mind an entirely different genre of music—something lightyears away from anything remotely resembling rock. It’s similar to what I was mentioning regarding Zelet and that t-shirt if you actually took the time to listen to the link... You might think it’s just some trivial detail, but it really isn't...
granitepuma granitepuma Newcomer
3 messages
joined Feb 2012
#32 ·
Kyle Morris7, I’m reading this and I honestly can't believe my eyes 😁
So you say that labels like "underground" or "alternative" aren't great 😕 but then you go on about how we need to promote them at the same time... I guess what does "underground" even mean anymore?
Should the OP just make up some new term for it, or maybe we should just call them "lesser-known rockers"? Because I feel like a massive mainstream rocker like Zelet (🤣) could probably handle hearing people talk about them, but man, it's just... ugh, they really are so underground 🤮
Kyle Morris7 Kyle Morris7 Active Member
62 messages
joined Feb 2010
#33 ·
granitepuma said:.......... but what does "underground" actually imply?

It doesn't imply anything at all, and I suppose that is precisely where the issue lies... It is merely a fog of ambiguity, an unnecessary adoption of an English term that feels somewhat pathetic within our own domestic context.
Any other descriptor would be superior to that: emerging bands, young artists, unestablished acts, and so on...
granitepuma granitepuma Newcomer
3 messages
joined Feb 2012
#34 ·
using the word "underground" just sounds like a loser move😁 eh, maybe Kyle Morris7 is right—calling things "underground" feels a bit lame when you're just borrowing the term from English anyway, I guess
the whole local indie scene 🙂 is a total nightmare, seriously!!!!!
Michelle Williams5 Michelle Williams5 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Jun 2010
#35 ·
ruggedjackal68 said:Alright then—I’ll go ahead and take the plunge and share the link with you all. 😁

Here’s the link to the page— The radio sound of Underground Lyrics — Soul.

Thanks!
Looks great—now I just need to dive in and really dig into the details.

Kyle Morris7 Asks:
There’s been a site just like this around for ages—run by a certain rival fan club, obviously. Is the person who started this thread acting all high and mighty, or... what?

Kyle Morris7 said:Look, I set this topic up as a genuine, fresh attempt—so please, don't play coy with me as if you have no idea what I'm getting at.

Sure, there's a baseline—we have our foundation—but why stop there? It can't hurt to push boundaries—and honestly, that's usually where the magic happens. This could be the spark for a fresh idea, a better way to collaborate, or even just a new way to level up our game for future wins.

Kyle Morris7 said:You might want to reconsider using terms like "underground" or "alternative." To most people, those labels carry a bit of a stigma—it often gives off the vibe of a group of losers trying to justify their lack of success by claiming they aren't "mainstream." Plus, the title itself feels a little clunky—not exactly catchy. Soul—it’s just pure magic. It brings to mind a completely different kind of music—something lightyears away from anything in the rock genre. If you actually listened to that link, you'd catch the reference to Zelet and the t-shirt. You might think it’s just some trivial little detail, but trust me—it isn't.

I don't have anything against using names like "underground" or "alternative"—honestly, I'm totally fine with it. Maybe that kind of branding turns some people off, but if you ask me? It sounds pretty damn good—and honestly, quite intriguing. 🤣
Regarding the Soul abbreviation—I think I might actually be on the same page as you there. At first glance, it definitely feels a bit confusing—honestly, "cmar" is a much more intuitive example. 😉

To be honest—I don't know the first thing about music journalism, nor am I part of any band—I'm just a huge fan who loves supporting our local scene.

My current favorites have to be: Cold Snap—definitely my number one—followed by Muscle Tribe of Danger and excellence, and then maybe some lighter Silente vibes. 👋
graniteeagle41 graniteeagle41 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Mar 2014
#36 ·
granitepuma said:either the author comes up with a fresh label for them or we just call them "lesser-known rockers." Because a legitimate, mainstream rocker like Zelet (🤣) can stomach hearing about bands that actually have some grit, but damn, they're just too "underground" for him. 🤮

There have always been labels; my dad used to get his hair cut on street corners and they called those guys "shaggy types." 🤣 Nowadays, that just makes me think of cookies. 😁 Maybe one day these "alternative" kids will be associated with something leftist. 😂

What's your problem with Zelet 😁 even if his ego is bigger than a Dallas Cowboys owner's? Look, like Goran Bregovic once said—
—"a band that plays a hundred days a year." You rarely hear that kind of commitment from a rock band these days. 😉

Getting back to the point: personally, I never get why EVERYONE is constantly obsessing over "promoting the scene" or "lifting up the scene." They talk about promoting these MASSIVE bands that nobody has ever heard of because they're local, acting like this constant "support" thing is some grand mission. It's all fairy tales.

Why should I sit around writing about some random band for some website? I can just leave a comment and be done with it. A band's goal is to promote themselves and actually make something happen. Look, man, if you know how to command a decent paycheck for a gig, then you better know how to push your way into the spotlight yourself. Everyone wants everything overnight these days. There's no more "who cares, it's the weekend, if nobody pays us, we'll play for a couple of beers"... people will just walk all over you. Maybe someone who actually has capital will hear you. That doesn't exist anymore. Nobody's willing to bleed for rock and roll. 😁

I don't mind buying an album if a band puts it out, I don't mind buying a magazine, and I don't mind paying for concert tickets. But what's with all this volunteer work lately? I'm genuinely curious about your logic. Generally speaking, I hate volunteering and it honestly turns my stomach. Modern youth have been brainwashed into thinking volunteering is great, when in reality, it's often just an excuse for people not to pay a young professional what they're worth. It's garbage.

Wouldn't it be much better if, say, ten of you (including the thread starter, maybe an editor) started a serious magazine that people would actually buy and respect? You could earn some real money and reinvest it into quality until you hit a level where you actually matter. I've had enough of this "promoting" things for nothing. Fine, you love it, whatever. But sometimes, someone will read something, and that's it. It's not like it's being pushed by major media outlets. I agree that some people don't want to leave the underground, though I doubt any punk would find it hard to demand a decent stack of cash for a show or a spot on TV. This whole "underground" concept sounds stupid nowadays; for God's sake, everyone is on the internet. Forget the underground. 😁

In this supposed alternative scene that heavy metal fans won't shut up about, kompletan novinarstvo boils down to a handful of fans scribbling stuff down, and nothing more.

To make anything happen, you have to sink massive amounts of capital into a project first. Only after that investment—combined with the actual blood, sweat, and tears of the musicians—will you see any results. Until then, you've got nothing.
Sean Doyle97 Sean Doyle97 Active Member
72 messages
joined Dec 2011
#37 ·
Kevin Chavez3 said:this isn't even our underground scene, man😁

True—but honestly, the only American band that actually mattered outside the bubble was pataren😁

Look, I’m not against a good commercial hit—like those New Wave classics back in the day—but this current "alternative" stuff feels like basic Top 40 radio filler. Nothing special. Hey, that's just my taste, though. They should probably try harder, if you ask me.
Nicole Garcia3 Nicole Garcia3 Member
16 messages
joined May 2015
#38 ·
graniteeagle41 said:Why would I bother writing about some random band on some website right now? I can just leave my own comment—that works fine. I guess the whole point for a band is to get promoted and actually make something of themselves. Look, man, if you know how to secure some cash for a gig, then you should probably know how to push yourself out there, too.

If only it were that simple. In reality, it’s almost impossible nowadays for an "alternative" indie band to get enough exposure to actually break through to the mainstream.
graniteeagle41 said:Everyone wants everything overnight these days. It’s not like before—you know, where people would just say, "Who cares, it's the weekend, let's play for a couple of beers"—and maybe someone would hear you and invest. That doesn't exist anymore. There's no more dying for rock and roll.😁

That's not true, though... a good chunk of underground bands still operate on that exact principle.🤷
graniteeagle41 said:To achieve anything, you have to sink massive amounts of money into it, and then, after all the musicians' hard work and suffering, something might happen. Until then, nothing.

Nobody wants to invest money in that kind of music because it doesn't catch on with the general public. And the people who might actually want to invest... well, they don't have the capital to do it.
ruggedjackal68 ruggedjackal68 MemberOP
17 messages
joined Mar 2014
#39 ·
William Hughes40 said:If only it were that simple. In reality, it feels almost impossible nowadays for some young, "alternative" band to actually break through the noise and become a household name.

Honestly, it’s hard to wrap my head around that logic because you see so many great underground bands operating exactly like that every single day. I remember catching this tiny indie group playing a dive bar in Seattle back in the day, and they didn't have a massive label or a huge marketing budget, yet their whole business model was built on that exact same grassroots principle, and it worked beautifully for them. It just goes to show that the system isn't the only way to make an impact. 🤷

Honestly, I just don't see anyone finding it worth the investment to put money into music like this because it simply doesn't resonate with the mainstream American public. It’s one of those things that just doesn't catch fire in the streets. Plus, even if there were people out there actually looking to back this kind of sound, they probably wouldn't have the capital to make it happen anyway.

I couldn't agree more with that...

One more thing I wanted to touch on—I’m assuming most of you have had a chance to click through the link and get a general sense of my philosophy behind this whole project and what I was originally trying to achieve. I’d love to hear your honest thoughts, so if anyone has an idea for something we’re missing, or even just a suggestion for something you’d change to make it better, please let me know!
ruggedjackal68 ruggedjackal68 MemberOP
17 messages
joined Mar 2014
#40 ·
Hey everyone, I wanted to drop a quick little update here for the forum crew regarding our Sound of Underground radio lyric projects

We’re actually kicking off our very first radio broadcast tomorrow, 05/04/2014, at 8:30 PM! You can find all the specific details about the broadcast over on our main website www.radio-soul.org or just head over to our Facebook page (or check out our Facebook profile). If you're feeling curious, I've even posted a little teaser announcement over on YouTube http://youtu.be/Lb8ji2kZ8qM 🙂

I'm really looking forward to tuning in with all of you tomorrow night🙂

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