129 Alternative Trivia Questions with Answers
129 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
This alternative music trivia hub spans the genre’s landmark artists, albums, bands, and award-winning releases. Questions move from Fiona Apple’s 2020 Grammy-winning Fetch the Bolt Cutters to Television’s 1977 album Marquee Moon, the first Mercury Prize winner, and major records by Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Alanis Morissette, and The Replacements.
The set covers alternative rock and its wider musical culture across the United States, Britain, and Canada. It suits music fans, pub quizzes, playlist challenges, and game nights built around album knowledge. Some questions are approachable through famous songs and records, while others test release dates, debut-album milestones, national scenes, and the history of prizes such as the Mercury Prize and Grammy Awards.
Which alternative rock band released the 1989 album 'The Stone Roses'?
Answer
The Stone Roses
Which alternative rock band released the 1996 album 'If You're Feeling Sinister'?
Answer
Belle and Sebastian
Which alternative animated film was directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton?
Answer
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Which alternative film is set mainly in the fictional town of Twin Peaks?
Answer
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Which alternative film won the 1994 Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival?
Answer
Pulp Fiction
Which alternative rock band released the 1990 album 'Heaven or Las Vegas'?
Answer
Cocteau Twins
Which alternative rock band had the 1996 hit 'A Design for Life'?
Answer
Manic Street Preachers
Which alternative rock band recorded the 1994 album 'The Downward Spiral'?
Answer
Nine Inch Nails
Which alternative rock musician released the 1999 album When the Pawn...?
Answer
Fiona Apple
Which alternative rock band released the 1990 album Ritual de lo Habitual?
Answer
Jane's Addiction
Which alternative rock band released the 2005 album Frances the Mute?
Answer
The Mars Volta
Which alternative rock band released the 2007 album 'Neon Bible'?
Answer
Arcade Fire
Which alternative rock band released the 1997 album 'The Colour and the Shape'?
Answer
Foo Fighters
Which alternative rock musician founded the E Street Band?
Answer
Bruce Springsteen
Which alternative rock band released the 1995 album 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness'?
Answer
The Smashing Pumpkins
Which alternative rock singer released the 1993 album 'Rid of Me'?
Answer
PJ Harvey
Which alternative rock band released the 1977 album 'Marquee Moon'?
Answer
Television
Which band won the first Mercury Prize in 1992?
Answer
Primal Scream
Which British alternative rock band's 2004 self-titled debut album won the Mercury Prize?
Answer
Franz Ferdinand
Which alternative rock artist released the 1995 album 'Jagged Little Pill'?
Answer
Alanis Morissette
Which alternative rock band's 1984 album "Let It Be" is a classic of the genre?
Answer
The Replacements
Which alternative rock band's 1985 album "Psychocandy" is a landmark of noise pop?
Answer
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Which alternative rock band released the 2010 album "High Violet"?
Answer
The National
Which alternative rock band released the self-titled album "Vampire Weekend" in 2008?
Answer
Vampire Weekend
Which alternative rock band has the song "Feel Good Inc."?
Answer
Gorillaz
Which alternative rock band sings "Pumped Up Kicks"?
Answer
Foster the People
Which alternative band's 1999 album 'The Soft Bulletin' received critical acclaim?
Answer
The Flaming Lips
Which British trip-hop group released the 1998 album 'Mezzanine'?
Answer
Massive Attack
Alternative trivia — quick answers
What are good alternative music trivia questions?
Good alternative music questions identify artists from albums, albums from release years, bands from songs, and winners of major awards. Useful examples include matching Fetch the Bolt Cutters to Fiona Apple, Marquee Moon to Television, and Funeral to Arcade Fire.
How hard is alternative music trivia?
Alternative music trivia can range from moderate to difficult because the genre includes many scenes, eras, and overlapping labels. Questions about major albums are accessible, while release years, debut records, Mercury Prize history, and influential 1980s or 1990s acts require deeper listening knowledge.
Which album won Fiona Apple the 2021 Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album?
Fiona Apple won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album for Fetch the Bolt Cutters. The album was released in 2020 and received the award at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, held in 2021.
Which band released the album Marquee Moon?
Television released Marquee Moon in 1977. The New York band’s debut is widely regarded as an influential record in alternative and post-punk history, particularly for its extended guitar work and title track.