Alternative and Indie

I dont understand, are these two genres the same thing? And doesnt alternative rock mean it doesnt fit in category so they call it alternative?

I think they are pretty close to the same genre.

Sort of. I'm not exactly a genre expert, partially because I think genres are somewhat arbitrary and just another way to simplify things, but "indie" refers more to unsigned "alternative" bands. At first alternative was used to describe bands with this new sound (pioneered by REM and U2), but then it generally fell into a fairly recognizable set of standards.

That probably makes very little sense since it is 2:37 am and I am a bit tired.

In general the styles can be rather similar, since 80% of the music under each lable is crap anyway.

Indie refers to independant bands, or in other words, is a rationalization as to why one would listen to a band that isn't good enough to sign with a major lable.

Don't get me wrong, I support local bands and there are some great bands out there that have not signed to big lables. But I see way too many bands that don't have what it takes to make it that fly the "indie" flag and are basically posers...

"Dude, like, I'm a band.. we're indie ya know, that make us cool... so like how old is your little sister anyway???? .. hey old man, like how do you finger a C chord anyway?"

I have to say that I'm a great big lover of Indie/Alternative music and find that statement to be a load of old cobblers.
Sorry Fulghers old chap but on this occasion you're talking bollocks.

I came here expecting Cheese's post to be full of alt rock bashing. I am shocked!

Check out Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, The Bravery, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, LCD Soundsystem, The Coral, The Zutons, The Music ... there's loads of great bands that are classed as "Indie" or "Alternative", it's just a label that means cock all really, great music is great music whatever it's classified as.

The Zutons is shite, Peter sent me some.

Hmmm, I believe your musical appreciation stops around 1979 Lars ...

Yes, exactly. I agree.

Nope i love Marillion and i like Porcupine Tree. And not to forget The Flower Kings.

Good golly how could one ever forget The Flower Kings!

Who are The Flower Kings again?

So what i understand from all this, is that alternative was once the same thing, but then became mainstream and started to some kind of general sound to it. but indie is unsigned music that really has its own style like how alternative once did.

Indie is just an abreviation of Independent and was originally assigned to bands that were signed to independent record labels.

I'm with Cheesus on this one. Interpol, Bright Eyes, The Killers, The Secret Machines, Franz Ferdinand, Muse, Kings of Leon are all doing very exciting things. For a while there, it was looking bleak.