Left of the Dial

Alternative rock from a time before “alternative” was a genre, Left of the Dial refers to the underground rock featured on many college radio stations in the 1980s and early 1990s, before Grunge swept alternative music into the mainstream. These college stations often broadcast at lower frequencies, which were located on the far left side of the analog FM radio dial. The term “Left of the Dial” was coined in a song by The Replacements, and an eventual compilation album by Rhino Records further cemented the phrase as a nickname for this era of music. A few of the bands and artists from this era found mainstream success, but all of them began as DIY underdogs and were incredibly influential in the evolution of the Grunge and Indie Rock that defined rock music in the 90s and 2000s. Left of the Dial is known for its wide variety of musical styles and unique personalities, including artists like Sonic Youth, REM, The Pixies, Depeche Mode, Meat Puppets, Kate Bush, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, The Smiths, and Dinosaur Jr. Students of all instruments and experience levels can expect good challenges playing these songs that often still sound innovative, even today.