Alternative for the Masses: The '90s Alt-Rock Revolution - An Oral History by Prato, Greg

Alternative for the Masses: The '90s Alt-Rock Revolution - An Oral History

Get the definitive story of the '90s alt-rock movement straight from the musicians and figures who lived...
$45.99 AUD
$45.99 AUD
Please hurry! Only 270 left in stock
Author: Greg Prato
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Subtotal: $45.99

Free Shipping (Orders $60 USD or More)

Alternative for the Masses: The '90s Alt-Rock Revolution - An Oral History by Prato, Greg

Alternative for the Masses: The '90s Alt-Rock Revolution - An Oral History

$45.99

Alternative for the Masses: The '90s Alt-Rock Revolution - An Oral History

$45.99
Author: Greg Prato
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Get the definitive story of the '90s alt-rock movement straight from the musicians and figures who lived it.

No period in the history of rock music offered such an abrupt shift in prevailing tastes as the 1990s. While just a short while before, radio and MTV were clamoring for hair metal bands, suddenly alt-rockers such as Jane's Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More, Primus, Smashing Pumpkins, and of course, Nirvana, brought a sea change not just in what the most popular bands sounded like, but also in fashion, politics, and seemingly all aspects of pop culture.

In Alternative for the Masses: The Oral History of the '90s Alt-Rock Revolution, veteran music critic Greg Prato presents more than 60 new interviews conducted exclusively for the book--with an emphasis on the 1990-1995 peak period--including insights from renowned names like:

  • Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Dischord Records)
  • Frank Black (Pixies)
  • Corey Glover (Living Colour)
  • Moby (solo artist/DJ)
  • Al Jourgensen (Ministry)
  • Les Claypool (Primus)
  • Kennedy (host of MTV's Alternative Nation)
  • Matt Pinfield (host of MTV's 120 Minutes)
  • Butch Vig (producer of Nirvana's Nevermind)
  • Tanya Donnelly (Belly, Breeders)
  • Fred Armisen (Portlandia, Saturday Night Live)

Prato also includes excerpts from one of the last interviews with Steve Albini, arguably the period's most influential recording engineer and producer, responsible for influential albums by the likes of Nirvana and PJ Harvey producer, among many others.

Prato sets out his book in thematic chapters covering topics such as:

  • The Lollapalooza music festival
  • The impact of Nirvana
  • Alt-rock's many subgenres
  • Notable producers of the period
  • The impact of women rockers
  • MTV's influence
  • Drugs and addiction
  • and much more!

Do you long for the days when it seemed rock artists were all about daring to be different, speaking their minds, and shaking up the music industry? The last decade before the internet, downloads, and streaming took over music? Alternative for the Masses will take you back to that time when alt-rock truly promised something different.

Author: Greg Prato
Publisher: Motorbooks International
Published: 10/28/2025
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.96lbs
Size: 9.12h x 6.40w x 1.21d
ISBN: 9780760398425


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 09/15/2025
Library Journal 10/17/2025 pg. 1

About the Author

Greg Prato is a Long Island, New York-based journalist who has written for Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Songfacts. He has written over 40 books, including such popular titles as Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music; The Yacht Rock Book: The Oral History of the Soft, Smooth Sounds of the 70s and 80s; and Primus, Over the Electric Grapevine: Insight into Primus and the World of Les Claypool, among many others.


Returns Policy

You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.

Shipping

We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.

When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.

Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.

Related Products

Recently Viewed Products