Top 10 Alt-Rock Videos From 1996

By 1996, the alt-rock revolution was in full swing. Pretty much anyone with a guitar, a halfway catchy song and some bottled-up angst could score a hit during those fruitful times. The year's biggest alt-rock hits included British guys who wanted to be American, British guys who wanted to be the Beatles and the '90s' most mangled use of the word 'ironic.'

Bush, 'Swallowed'
The future Mr. Gwen Stefani desperately wanted his band to be Nirvana huge. So much so that they sounded a lot like them. A lot.
Primitive Radio Gods, 'Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand'
One-man-band Christopher O'Connor was never heard from again, but his one and only hit was one of the biggest modern rock songs of 1996.
Oasis, 'Champagne Supernova'
If the Beatles could get away with the seven-minute 'Hey Jude,' then surely Oasis were entitled to this chart topper that runs the same length, right?
The Cranberries, 'Salvation'
These Irish rockers could be all sweet and sugary. They could also be all fierce and loud, like on their second No. 1 hit.
311, 'Down'
The first No. 1 modern-rock hit from the Nebraskan stoner kings is all rap-rock rhyme slinging and raging guitars. And bleached hair, don't forget that.
Alanis Morissette, 'Ironic'
Actually, it isn't ironic at all if it rains on your wedding day or if some dude who hates flying happens to die in a plane crash. It's just really crappy luck.
Tracy Bonham, 'Mother Mother'
This Oregon singer and songwriter had some serious mommy issues. So serious, in fact, she had to say it twice in her only hit.
Butthole Surfers, 'Pepper'
How great were the mid '90s? For one thing, a band called Butthole Surfers had a No. 1 modern -rock hit. Butthole. Surfers.
Sublime, 'What I Got'
Sublime's singer was dead of a heroin overdose by the time their album was released, but that didn't stop their song from hitting No. 1.
Eels, 'Novocaine for the Soul'
Eels' Mark Everett scored a Top 10 hit four years earlier as E. As Eels, he's still making terrific albums, but this is their only big single.

Categories: Original Features, Videos