[.Genre Research.]

Before we could choose our genre, we needed to do some field research about exisiting genres that would appeal to our working style.

• Alternative Rock - Emerged in the late 1980's and became more popular in the 1990's. Alternative rock is a mixture of many subgenres that had flared up at the time, including Britpop, Grunge, Gothic Rock, Punk Rock and Indie pop; but also used as a nickname for the underground artists of the 1980's. Very few actually became mainstream, others kept with independant record labels, but in more recent years Alternative Rock has become a lot more popular. Alternative rock bands include: Biffy Clyro, lostprophets, Madina Lake, MUSE, Nirvana, and The Offspring
  
  
• Emo - Originated in the 1980's Washington D.C hardcore punk movement; Emo music is often known for being extremely emotional, with very confessional lyrics, being nicknamed 'emotional hardcore' and 'emocore'. Contraversy lies with the genre that it supposedly promoted the suicide and self-harming of a teenage girl in 2008. Emo artists include: 30 Seconds to Mars, Mayday Parade, The Spill Canvas and The Used
  
  
• Grunge - Also known as 'Seattle Sound', emerged during the mid 1980's and booming in the 1990's; inspired by hardcore Punk, heavy Metal, and Indie rock. Recognizable traits include the use of heavily distorted guitars, contrasting song dynamics and apathetic or angst filled lyrics. Grunge artists include: Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Hole

[.Music video analysis 2.]

Basket Case - Green Day (1994)

This iconic video by Green Day is set in a mental hospital; this is made apparent by the use of extras dressed in white coats, VERY exaggerated hair, and the use of chain link fences to add an element of captivity, whilst the decoration of the room is very 60's, bright coloured rooms, and mismatched carpets. The band seem to represent patients, as they are all dressed in scrubs, with similarly dressed people clawing at the doors/walls, all of which appealing to the name of the song "Basket Case" which is a person on the verge of insanity/nervous breakdowns.

Fans who are familiar with the band members recognize each one represented as a different form of mental patient. As the song begins, the doctors and nurses begin to ensemble the instruments in a very slow, scrambled fashion; all the instruments in which are covered in duct tape. As the song progresses; the band appear to be more and more insane as they appear to be playing to no crowd; spliced shots show the band members in typical areas of a mental hospital (padded rooms, medical areas, etc).

The use of 360 degree rotational camera angles add a sense of solidarity and paranoia towards the lead singer (Billy Joe Armstrong); which is further enhanced with random people walking around aimlessly in over-exaggerated pig masks, possibly symbolizing hallucinogens. As the song dramatically ends; the closing of the gate symbolises the end.

This video, although very controversial at the time of it's release, is very successful by remaining one of the most memorable music videos in rock music history.