Suburban Legends are an American third wave ska band[1] that formed in Hunt… Read Full Bio ↴Suburban Legends are an American third wave ska band[1] that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998 and later based themselves in Santa Ana, California. The band started out as a third wave ska band, but later moved to a pop and disco sound after a number of lineup changes in 2005. Since 2009 the band has returned to its ska roots, also incorporating Disney covers in their repertoire. Currently trombonist Brian Robertson is the only member that has been in the band since its inception. Vince Walker is also a founding member, but left the band in 2004, only to return in 2005, and guitarist Brian Klemm has been with the band since 1999.Current line up
Vincent Walker - Lead vocals, trumpet, guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboard (2005–present), trumpet, backing vocals (1998–2004)
Chris Lucca - trumpet (2013–present, 2009-2013 touring)
Brian "Robot" Robertson - trombone, backing vocals (1998–present)
Brian Klemm - lead guitar, vocals (1999–present)
Brad Polidori - bass, backing vocals (2010–present)
Edward Larsen - drums (2013–present)
Touring members

Alternative Is Dead
Suburban Legends Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I believe that alternative is dead
I used to be a grunge-rocker man
Corporate greed has choked the scene
Making it all dumb and trendy
I believe that alternative is dead and it ain't coming back

It ain't what it used to be
All these dumb kids crowding all around me

Jr. highers, grabbing the flyers
Going to the shows I want to see
Well, I believe that we'll learn from what happened before
So all the bands we see now
Won't end up in a Tower Records store
Old Man's a-prowling, searching for a brand new baby face
To fill Eddie Vedder's job

Well, I believe that job's not for me
Go pick on someone else

Overall Meaning

In the song "Alternative is Dead", Suburban Legends make a statement about the current state of alternative music. The singer is disillusioned with the current state of the genre, blaming corporate greed for turning it into a commercialized and trendy experience. The singer is a former grunge-rocker and believes that the current state of alternative is not what it used to be. He laments the presence of young, non-discriminating fans who attend concerts simply because it is what everyone else is doing. In the bridge, the singer expresses faith that the lessons of the past will be learned, and that bands who are truly passionate and innovative will not be sucked up by the music industry to become the same mainstream hits that flood the airwaves.

One can infer that the singer has a deep reverence for the alternative scene of the past, and is frustrated with the fact that it has lost its authenticity. He is also resistant to being a part of the scene as it currently stands, and is unwilling to compromise his integrity by becoming a part of the corporate machine. The use of the term "Old Man" in relation to the industry searching for a "brand new baby face" to fill Eddie Vedder's shoes suggests that the music industry is only interested in finding an image, rather than nurturing and supporting artists with real talent and something unique to offer.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I believe that alternative is dead
The singer believes that alternative music is no longer a popular or viable option

I used to be a grunge-rocker man
The singer used to enjoy listening to grunge rock music in the past

Corporate greed has choked the scene
The prevalence of money-focused business practices has eliminated the authenticity of the music scene

Making it all dumb and trendy
The increased focus on commercialization has reduced music quality to easily consumable and often shallow entertainment

I believe that alternative is dead and it ain't coming back
The singer believes that the current state of the music industry will prevent a return to the previous quality and authenticity of alternative music

It ain't what it used to be
The current state of the music industry has caused a significant departure from the type of music the singer used to enjoy

All these dumb kids crowding all around me
The singer is unhappy with the younger audience now surrounding him

Jr. highers, grabbing the flyers
Younger adolescents are eagerly taking promotional materials for bands, concerts, etc.

Going to the shows I want to see
The younger audience is attending the same concerts and events as the singer

Well, I believe that we'll learn from what happened before
The singer holds optimistic hope that people will learn from past mistakes to improve the current state of the music industry

So all the bands we see now
The current bands in the music industry

Won't end up in a Tower Records store
The singer hopes that the new bands will not fall into the fate of their predecessors in the music industry and end up bankrupt

Old Man's a-prowling, searching for a brand new baby face
The music industry is searching for a new, fresh face to promote and monetize

To fill Eddie Vedder's job
To replace a previous successful musician and market them the same way

Well, I believe that job's not for me
The singer does not desire to fall into the old patterns of the music industry and become a heavily promoted, corporate-created musician

Go pick on someone else
The singer is not interested in participating in the current music industry, and will not be a willing participant in the exploitation of new musicians.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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