Hi everybody,

I'm currently writing my dissertation for the final year of my Music Degree in London, England. I'm looking into the Alternative Rock scene from the late eighties/early nineties that emanated from Los Angeles with bands like the Chili's and Jane's Addiction, both who were so important in the eventual success of the Seattle Grunge Scene. I'm also studying this trying to put light on the influence of drugs on the entire scene, from the use by some of the artists involved, to the potential influence the drug 'epidemic' happening in Los Angeles, Seattle and many other cities in the US might have had on the popularity and acceptance of these scenes.

If you guys could please take just a few moments out your day to answer these six questions, I would be so grateful! They just require one word answers, though if anyone would like to add any additional info to any answers, please feel free to, though this is in no way obligatory!

Thanks guys, and if anybody wants any further info on anything I've said or presented please feel free to either ask here or privately, and I'll get back to you immediately (time zone permitting!). Oh, and even if you think you can only answer one or two questions, please still take part, as all information is valuable to my research!

Many regards, James.

(The questions... please note any reference to 'Alternative' relates to either the LA Scene mentioned/ or the Seattle Grunge scene)

1. What was the first 'Alternative' album you heard during the era mentioned?

2. Which city/country were you in when you heard this album?

3. Were you using any recreational drugs around the time you became a fan of this musical scene? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW)

4. If so do you feel this had any impact on you becoming a fan of this musical scene?(YES, NO, DON'T KNOW, N/a)

5. Which band/artist do you feel was most responsible for the emergence and popularity of 'Alternative' music in this era?

6. Finally, do you feel the drug (crack) epidemic happening in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and many other US cities contributed to the success/acceptance of 'Alternative' music in the late eighties to early nineties? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW)

Thanks so much guys, I look forward to reading your responses, and if anyone would prefer to answer these questions privately please just PM me or answer via email (jammyshill@gmail.com).

Many regards, James.

1. What was the first 'Alternative' album you heard during the era mentioned? Jane's...Nothing's Shocking from the 80s L.A. scene.

2. Which city/country were you in when you heard this album? High school in Iowa in about 2002.

3. Were you using any recreational drugs around the time you became a fan of this musical scene? No.

4. If so do you feel this had any impact on you becoming a fan of this musical scene? N/A.

5. Which band/artist do you feel was most responsible for the emergence and popularity of 'Alternative' music in this era? Emergence: Pixies or Jane's Addiction; Popularity: Nirvana.

6. Finally, do you feel the drug (crack) epidemic happening in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and many other US cities contributed to the success/acceptance of 'Alternative' music in the late eighties to early nineties? No. Name me an era in the United States that doesn't have some sort of drug dependence "epidemic".

1. What was the first 'Alternative' album you heard during the era mentioned?

First alternative album I heard was Blood Sugar Sex Magik, by RHCP.

2. Which city/country were you in when you heard this album?

I was in Bethel, Alaska, USA.

3. Were you using any recreational drugs around the time you became a fan of this musical scene? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW)

No.

4. If so do you feel this had any impact on you becoming a fan of this musical scene?(YES, NO, DON'T KNOW, N/a)

N/A

5. Which band/artist do you feel was most responsible for the emergence and popularity of 'Alternative' music in this era?

Nirvana.

6. Finally, do you feel the drug (crack) epidemic happening in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and many other US cities contributed to the success/acceptance of 'Alternative' music in the late eighties to early nineties? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW)

No. Heroin actually brought it down. Crack was mostly uninvolved, in my opinion.

1. What was the first 'Alternative' album you heard during the era mentioned? nevermind or blood sugar sex magic.. forget which one i had first.. played nevermind way more

2. Which city/country were you in when you heard this album? pennsylvania, hour n a half north of philly

3. Were you using any recreational drugs around the time you became a fan of this musical scene? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW) smoked weed every now n then nothing major

4. If so do you feel this had any impact on you becoming a fan of this musical scene?(YES, NO, DON'T KNOW, N/a) nah this music was usually on at parties where i went to, but i dont see a connection between the drugs n music other than they were in the same place at the same time

5. Which band/artist do you feel was most responsible for the emergence and popularity of 'Alternative' music in this era? nirvana

6. Finally, do you feel the drug (crack) epidemic happening in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and many other US cities contributed to the success/acceptance of 'Alternative' music in the late eighties to early nineties? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW) nah because crackheads spend money on crack, not music

I had no clue seattle was influenced by the crack epidemic. In fact, i really didn't think crack could even be qualified as an epidemic amoung the white population. Yeah, it was used some.

Yeah, crack was and is pretty rare in the PNW. I mean, people used it then and they use it now but up here the drug then and now is heroin. I mean, if the OP is doing their research (I recognize you from the Soundgarden board, btw), then read the chapter in Grunge Is Dead about heroin. It's easier to name the people that weren't doing it (everyone in Soundgarden, everyone in Pearl Jam other than the possible exception of Mike) than the people that were. I believe that could apply to a lot of non-Seattle bands, too (Red Hot Chili Peppers, for example).

I blame the weather.

Hey guys, firstly sincerest thanks to all those who have replied..

Sorry, just to clear things up w/ regards to the 'crack' thing.. The 'Crack epidemic' is more the historical term seemed to be used based on the research I've done largely due to the sudden rise of crack use/cheapness of purchase etc etc in the early eighties and throughout the entire decade.. I bracketed it however as i meant the influence of of all drugs, as it seems most substance abuse in the States rose in the eighties, a problem Reagan seemed to put a lot of effort into halting. (For the record I'm not trying to suggest the music was reliant on drugs in any way, more the opposite as I try to dilute some of the generalisations placed on the scene, starting right back with Jane's/RHCP through to the 90's movement).

Sorry for any confusion, and thanks for the feedback. Please keep the replies coming ..

1. What was the first 'Alternative' album you heard during the era mentioned?
Either Blood Sugar Sex Magik or Nothing Shocking (I was most into Appetite for Destruction, but not sure if it counts, though it was part of the LA scene as well).

2. Which city/country were you in when you heard this album?
In America, state of Connecticut, halfway between the cities of Hartford and New Haven.

3. Were you using any recreational drugs around the time you became a fan of this musical scene?
No

4. If so do you feel this had any impact on you becoming a fan of this musical scene?
No, but I did like it more years later after I discovered marijuana.

5. Which band/artist do you feel was most responsible for the emergence and popularity of 'Alternative' music in this era?
Emergence: Jane's Addiction; Popularity: Nirvana

6. Finally, do you feel the drug (crack) epidemic happening in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and many other US cities contributed to the success/acceptance of 'Alternative' music in the late eighties to early nineties?

No. And I'm not sure crack was a problem (that was more popular in the black communities here in the US). Booze, heroin, cocaine seemed widespread but I wouldn't say it played a huge role.

1. What was the first 'Alternative' album you heard during the era mentioned?
Toadies. Rubberneck. they were and still are my hometown band.
2. Which city/country were you in when you heard this album?
Dallas, TX where I grew up
3. Were you using any recreational drugs around the time you became a fan of this musical scene? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW)
No
4. If so do you feel this had any impact on you becoming a fan of this musical scene?(YES, NO, DON'T KNOW, N/a)
n/a
5. Which band/artist do you feel was most responsible for the emergence and popularity of 'Alternative' music in this era?
Nirvana. I do not think they where the most talented band though.
6. Finally, do you feel the drug (crack) epidemic happening in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and many other US cities contributed to the success/acceptance of 'Alternative' music in the late eighties to early nineties? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW)
no
Heroin was the drug that was more prominent around this time. Crack was more of an epidemic in the black community than the white community... it is a big thing in hip hop

40 Oz. to Freedom - Sublime
Long Beach, CA
none
n/a
I agree with Junco re: Nirvana &
drug of choice being heroin

Bullshit.
Instead of doing any actual research on your topic, you were just using some all encompassing, borderline bigoted prejudice of americans. lol@ "dilute generalizations" as you're entire implication is nothing more than an unresearched stereotype. It sounds like your "research" amounts to watching "Singles" and 25 minutes of "Traffic"

What absolute nonsense. This particular area of research is a very small part of the dissertation, but one of the only parts where I need some primary statistical research.

With respect you have no idea what I am researching, why I am researching it, or the process I have gone about to get the information I require.

Thanks again to those who have contributed, and in over 100 responses I've got from various sources, I'm pleased to say that this is the first troll I've come across.

Its an important part of your dissertation, or you wouldn't be asking for an opinion. And Im Not trolling. I am calling you on your racist implications in your original post.

Feel free to point out where I've been racist.

To even mention "crack" and the seattle music season reeks of ignorance.

The music coming out of LA was vitally important to the Seattle scene (In my opinion, and I'm sure those involved would agree). Read "Whore's" and you'll see Jeff Ament saying how seeing Jane's Addiction were of massive importance to the formation of Mother Love Bone. Read about LA in the 80's, check out the background of Perry Farrell, themes of songs etc. Check out the other bands coming from LA, their background and influence to those who would come pout of Seattle. There is plenty outside the context (intentionally) presented to you on this site.

My dissertation does not revolve around Seattle, however it does come up. Hence me stating how this was a minor part of the study. You can accuse me of being ignorant if you like, but when presenting such a strong opinion on something you clearly know nothing about (that being the whole point of my studying and research), it will go to prove nothing other than your own ignorance/ stupidity.'

1. What was the first 'Alternative' album you heard during the era mentioned?
Soundgarden- Badmotorfinger

2. Which city/country were you in when you heard this album?
ugh Andrews South Carolina which is the middle of no where

3. Were you using any recreational drugs around the time you became a fan of this musical scene? (YES, NO, DON'T KNOW)
No

4. If so do you feel this had any impact on you becoming a fan of this musical scene?(YES, NO, DON'T KNOW, N/a)
N/A

5. Which band/artist do you feel was most responsible for the emergence and popularity of 'Alternative' music in this era?
In my life Pearl Jam, but overall for the masses Nirvana

6. Finally, do you feel the drug (crack) epidemic happening in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle and many other US cities contributed to the success/acceptance of 'Alternative' music in the late eighties to early
No. I never lived there so it might be hard to say, but I did not know people who were into that kind of music who did crack. There was one person from Myrtle Beach who was the lead singer of a popular local band that toured the southeast and we saw him hit the crack pipe on stage once. Rumors were always flying around he did it and his songs talked about it so it was no surprise but the fact he did crack we always thought was weird. It wasn’t like the drug any of us or our friends were even worried about trying.

what were the odds

Like the internet, right