College Rock (kálɪǰ rák) College Rock is a form of music that became popular in the 80s and was the first term used for what is now known as Alternative Rock. This style of music got its name from the underground college radio stations, where college students were into a completely new sound of rock. College Rock combines the sounds of Punk and New Wave to create a new music sound. This style became popular through the works of The Church, Midnight Oil, and Love and Rockets. The term College Rock was replaced with alternative in the 90s.