Alternative Rock (ɔltə́rnətɪv rÁk) rose out of the independent underground rock music that was popular in the 80s. This style of music features very loud, and often distorted, guitar sounds coupled with the traditional punk sound that started it all. While the beginnings of Alternative Rock were small, bands like The Feelies and Violent Femmes saw a rising number of fans in the 80s. The genre rose in popularity once Nirvana released its Grunge sound. It was after this period that Alternative Rock began to see more radio airtime and more of a following. This genre of music has always stood on the rejection of commercial music and was made popular by bands such as REM, Sonic Youth, and Smashing Pumpkins.