Alternative 80s

This page is dedicated to the countless alternative or Indie that made the 80s charts interesting. The Indie scene really grew in the 1980s and causing the major labels to adopt new strategies to become more 'indie'. I will look at the songs that really turned this genre into a relevant scene.

The Pixies - Monkey gone to Heaven Were an American alternative band and this song enjoyed great success long after it's release in 1989. The song touched on Environmental and biblical issues which were not the usual topics for hit singles but unusually worked. The song was written by singer Black Francis and produced by Gil Norton who had worked with Echo and the Bunnymen amongst others. The song peaked at number 60 in the UK singles charts but the song was popular amongst the written media. It was the single of the year in Melody Maker 1989 poll and NME ranked it 35 in the greatest Indie anthems of all time. A true classic song.


Killing Joke - Love like blood Killing Joke were a post punk band from London who formed in the late seventies and the above single is probably there most famous with the song being there only top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at 16 in 1985. The song was a very dark gothic feel to it and was produced by Chris Kimsey who had worked with New Model Army and Anti nowhere league amongst others.The song was released on E'G records and the track was Featured on the 'Night Time' album which peaked at 11 in the UK album charts and the work on that album is regarded as there finest with 'Kings and Queens' and 'eighties'.

New Model Army - No Rest An alternative rock band from Bradford and often expressed political and humanitarian messages in there material and were vocal against American imperialism which caused a few issues as they could not play over there! No Rest was one of there biggest commercial successes in the UK peaking at 28 in the singles chart.

The Smiths - What difference does it make? The smiths hailed from Manchester and was taken from the debut album 'The Smiths'. The track written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr and released on Rough Trade Records. The track was produced by John Porter who had worked with Japan and Billy Bragg amongst his credits. The song infamously was released without any video and Morrissey quipped that the video market would not last! The song peaked at number 12 in the UK single charts. A true classic guitar song to listen to.
Jesus and Mary Chain - April Skies An alternative rock band from Scotland and these guys shot to prominence with the album Psychocandy and the release of singles Upside Down and Just like honey which made an appearance in the top 50. After the early problems they encountered with personnel changes, arrests, concert meltdowns and general bad press, the band settled down and released the album Darklands and from this the gem 'April Skies'. The track became there first top 10 hit peaking at number 8. The song was written by the Reid brothers and was also produced by Bill Price who includes Sex Pistols and The Clash on his credits. The heavy influence of Guitars and Bass made this a true gem in between all the manufactured pop.
All about Eve - Martha's Harbour The band consisted of Julianne Regan and Andy Cousin and they perfected the early art of Goth Rock mixed with Folk. They shot to prominence with the haunting sound of Martha's Harbour with dreamlike lyrics which caught the imagination of the British public. The song was a top 10 hit in the UK and the song only consisted of Regan's vocals, Cousins acoustic guitar and sound affects of the sea. The song received publicity when an appearance on Top of the Pops where they sang over a dubbed version did not happen as the music did not relay to them, they just sat there until the end of the song unaware of what happened, TOTP invited them back and they did a live version to make up for the glaring error.