As the initial punk movement began to wane during the 1980s, and new wave became slicker and more mainstream, isolated music scenes emerged across the U.S. Each sounded unique to its own geography, like the scrappy and melodic racket of Minneapolis' Replacements and Husker Du, or the experimental noisemaking of New York City's Sonic Youth and Band of Susans. DIY touring and distribution defined and connected this movement, and small but influential record labels such as SST became hubs for many of the music's most groundbreaking artists. This was the precursor to what we now think of as 'indie rock.'

Notable Artists: Minutemen, Butthole Surfers, Dinosaur Jr.