All you Alt girls…

[MeghanAndrews]

I grew up on punk/indie stuff and it's still at the root of my music interests. I'm like a lot of people who grew up listening to different music. I grew up around DC and was involved in mostly Dischord (record label) bands and ethos. It wasn't about the clothes you wore, it was more about how you lived your life and what you were doing while you were here. I always liked that you could see me on the street and you'd maybe have me pegged for listening to some other music other than what I was listening to on my headphones. I'll never forget when I was flying way before transition and I was in a suit with headphones on, like 2000 or 2001 I think. This punky looking kid next to me saw the ipod song that I was listening to (it was some Rites of Spring song) and tapped me on my arm and started a conversation. He couldn't BELIEVE that "a businessman" was listening to Rites of Spring. Sometimes the "alt" people around you might look like your mom or dad or the librarian or the banker. But lurking on their itunes is a playlist that looks like this:

[Nilisa]

I've seen My Bloody Valentine live.

I think my ears are still suffering for it a few years on.

[tekla]

I recall a couple of my students dragging me with them to Lollapaloza II (I had worked L1, so I was aware of the deal) and they kept on going on about how these bands were different from other bands because they were 'alternative'.  So I inquired about what exactly made these band so different - because as far as I could tell they were using the same equipment, the same style of songs, the same chord changes as the non-alternative bands were using.  So they told me that what really made them 'alternative' was that they were not bound to the old school/old standard of success like people like Frank Sinatra or the Beatles were.  So I pointed out to them that their favorite 'alternative' act on the bill was represented by the William Morris Agency, and were recording for Reprise Records, which just wasn't the old school standard, but pretty much the old school gold standard.  And Reprise Records?  Founded by the very same Frank Sinatra.

[MeghanAndrews]

So they told me that what really made them 'alternative' was that they were not bound to the old school/old standard of success like people like Frank Sinatra or the Beatles were.  So I pointed out to them that their favorite 'alternative' act on the bill was represented by the William Morris Agency, and were recording for Reprise Records, which just wasn't the old school standard, but pretty much the old school gold standard.

Lol, Tekla! Yeah, being at Lollapalooza and talking about bands that weren't bound to the "old school" standard of success is pretty funny. It's like when I go back and listen to the Sex Pistols (who I think went on to play in stadiums or something recently) and the music, which was considered so offensive and "punk rock" in the 70's and now it seems tame.

[tekla]

I was joking one night with my favorite local punk-rocker - after he drove up in a brand new state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV luxury vehicle - 'so are you selling out now?'  He laughed and told me "Hell, I'm not even finished buying-in yet."

[n00bsWithBoobs]

I was joking one night with my favorite local punk-rocker - after he drove up in a brand new state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV luxury vehicle - 'so are you selling out now?'  He laughed and told me "Hell, I'm not even finished buying-in yet."

Reminds me of SLC Punk.

My favorite character in that was Mike.

[MarinaM]

I get weird looks and conversation due to my playlists too. My favorite music scene is the one in Oakland, CA. A white girl that loves folk music (well, they see boy)! 

Akira is pretty much the only Anime that I'm semi-familiar with. My brothers are huge into all sorts of anime / steampunk / gaming. I did the Final Fantasy and D&D binge in High School. I was a dungeon master, it was fun, like allowing your friends to move through pictures that you painted. Life happens though, and here I am.

[tekla]

Yeah, except that he is a real punk star in SF and LA.  But what's punk without a luxury SUV?

[Stephanie.Izann]

I played in a Punk and progressive bands for most of my life. We were even on a label for a short while (really short LOL).  I still carry myself a little that way through my transition.  It's actually made it easier for me in the eyes of those around me.
I grew up listening to the Smiths, Duran Duran (yep), The Cure, Depeche Mode, INXS, The Smithereens, Suzie and the Banshees, The Cult, The Police...and a whole lot more.

[Jenna_Nicole105]

I've always been into the punk music scene and at times it's been obvious by looking at me.

I'm sure once I ultimately begin to transition, I'll continue to sport the look from time to time.

I'll certainly continue listening to the music and going to shows.

[SamanthaElle]

Does metal count? You wouldn't guess besides asking me and band shirts/metal coat with patches, though. I guess though typically there's not much more to it besides maybe having a beard, but naturally that's out of the question.

[blair]

I was very into the gothy, darkwave type stuff, especially when I was younger. I still love listening to a lot of it. Switchblade Symphony, Bauhaus, Siouxie of course. I even played the guitar in a gothy band called Elenora.

[AweSAM!]

I listen to alt, indy, and basically whatever sounds good... I don't discriminate. A small cross-section of alternative and alternrock I have includes: This is Fort Apache, The Beat(En) Generation Volume 1, Local H, Garbage, Filter, Lowest of the Low, Matthew Good, Modest Mouse, The New Pornographers, Stars (my fave), The Weakerthans, Travis, Sloan, Moseley Shoals, etc. You get the point. As for clothing style, I don't know, I still have to define it! As a guy I dressed more alt than anyone in my peer group; girls thought I looked cool, guys thought I looked gay (so did my parents, and they made sure I knew they knew). hahaha

[CaitJ]

Proudly Geek Chic; arcade jewelry, geek chic wear, 80s flouros, D20 bracelets and earings.
Hell, I even have a Jester's Cap tattooed on me:

[Serra]

Proudly Geek Chic; arcade jewelry, geek chic wear, 80s flouros, D20 bracelets and earings.
Hell, I even have a Jester's Cap tattooed on me:

I disbelieve, no one could have so much awesome.

[CaitJ]

I disbelieve, no one could have so much awesome.

Pics or didn't happen, eh?
I'll post some images of my goodies on here when I get home 

[CaitJ]

Here ya go:

[pixiegirl]

Emo, Goth, geek chic, into body mods, tattoos, piercings...you know, just alt.

Surely there must be more than just me out there in the wilds of susan's?

Nope, it's just you, and all those replies were just from your multiple personality alter egos

[Jacquelyn]

I love tattoos and piercings. I have sailor sparrows tattooed on my feet, a monroe piercing, and I have a couple more ideas for other tattoos I want to get eventually.

[Nilisa]

Cait; That purple one is so purty