The Evolution of Alternative Country

In 1985, a garage rock band got together in Belleville, Illinois, and named themselves the Primitives. The Primitives was made up of Jay Farrar (guitar, vocals), Wade Farrar (vocals, harmonica), Mike Heidorn (drums), and Jeff Tweedy (bass, vocals), and focused mainly on playing covers of 1960s rock songs. A year or so later, the band changed its name to Uncle Tupelo. Wade Farrar left the band, resulting in his brother Jay and bandmate Jeff Tweedy taking over the vocal duties and songwriting. They started playing more originals that showed the diversity of their influences, which included everyone from Gram Parsons to Black Flag, and from Buck Owens to Husker Du. By 1990, they had been featured in Rolling Stone and voted best unsigned band in 1989.

In 1994, Uncle Tupelo Split and its members formed new bands - Wilco and Sun Volt - that have become Alt-Country’s most influential bands. Members of Uncle Tupelo have also played with other Alt-Country bands such as the Gourds and Swag.

Even earlier than the Gourds was new country artist Townes Van Zandt and other rogue country artists like Willie Nelson, who easily laid the groundwork for a new generation of derelict country-folk singers, songwriters and bands.

Nobody’s really sure where the alt.country name developed, but it’s more along the lines of something that’s evolved largely based on the influence of the members of Uncle Tupelo and its satellite bands. Today, bands from New Orleans to New York have picked up the Alt-Country torch and run with it. Magazines and websites are dedicated to the genre, and fans from Folk Festivals to Rock tours are turning out in support.