On the other hand REM have been "mainstream" before everybody hurts and the Foo's success is pretty much based on Dave Grohl being a former member of Nirvana.

Alternative to what?

Actually, I think your mix shows why the term "alternative" is so bizarre -- all of this is hugely popular and commercially successful. It's simply Top 40 music skewed to a different demographic. So what I used to consider "alternative" music pre-Nirvana is now relegated to the "indie rock" or "college radio" bin. What's really sad is that most of the best non-mainstream music is never touched by "alternative" radio; the songs here are fine, at least for suburban teenagers, but there is far better, more innovative and interesting music out there that is far more deserving of classic "alternative" status than the Stone Temple Pilots on their ilk (i.e. Guided by Voices, Pavement, Yo La Tengo, Teenage Fanclub, Matthew Sweet, Wilco, Apples in Stereo, etc.).

I like your mix! The STP choice is top notch! Don't take too much concern from the comments - posting something like this with your belief of what is alternative behind it is an extremely LOADED gesture on this site. I made mixes like this a while ago and labeled them "Alternative Godfaters" and the such, but they are way back in my closet and I probably wouldn't post them due to the feedback I would get. My view of alternative music has changed so much that I stopped using the term. I think I would listen to this mix when I got my jones on for some 1995 rock radio! DAMN that's almost 10 years ago!! Holy crap, I'm old! Nice mix and take care!!

I love this. I would consider this alternative music, but that's just me.

...in a sense, all music is an alternative to something else, right? And that's the problem w/the term "alternative music" - is it meant to be taken literally, as in, "this music is an alternative to corporate rock? or corporate country? or corporate whatever?" Or does it in-fact denote a specific type of music that actually has a very tenuous relationship w/music that was originally termed "alternative?"
Labels are very helpful in identifying large subject areas (and demographics, but are much less helpful in actually describing those subject areas. This is especially so w/the "alternative" tag.
Still - all in all - there are some great songs on this mix - but keep checking AotM for some REALLY mind-blowing trax and artises!

I agree with CBlaze and 12vman and popkulcher and.... Forget the labels, post your mixes, and enjoy the site. Just like the "real world" there are all kinds of different opinions/people. Take everything with a grain of salt and live, learn and love.

Yeah, I only posted this mix because I wanted to get a lot of feedback. Good job guys! Haha, just kidding. I totally hear what you're all saying, but nevertheless, "alternative music" was not really a common term used for any genre of music pre-1991. And let's be honest, Nirvana have often been dubbed the Kings of Alternative Music, so despite what "alternative" actually means, it HAS taken on a new definition over the past 15 years. What I said was that these songs "propelled this music into the mainstream" so of course I was picking the hits and classics. Yes, there are a huge ton of songs I would have rather put on here that I like better, as well as a huge amount of great music that I'm sure many of you have never heard of, but that wouldn't be keeping with the theme I was going for. I was purposefully picking the classics. Regardless, thank you all for writing so readily. I was shocked to see the quick response. :)