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What songs were rocking college rock<\/a> radio back in 1986? Let’s take a closer look.<\/p>\n As we hop in the way-back machine, we’re taking you to a time in which being an alt-rock band meant you didn’t necessarily have a clear path to mainstream success. The 1980s<\/a> had a bit of an airplay hierarchy and for those acts that weren’t pop or had a clearly defined rock sound, you were often left to prove it in the world of college radio before the big stations granted you access.<\/p>\n From the late ’70s through the ’80s, what we now known as alt-rock or modern rock was not really a commercially viable format. But plenty of college stations loved playing tastemakers and giving some of these underground bands a chance. And in 1986, that meant you already had college rock radio stars such as R.E.M.,<\/a> The Smiths<\/a> and Husker Du<\/a> co-existing with newcomers like The Smithereens<\/a> and World Party.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> WTF Is College Rock? \u2014 10 Songs That Defined the Pre-Grunge Alternative Rock Era<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n It was a decade of college rock that leaned heavy on ’80s British new wave, electro rock and jangle pop, with some post-punk thrown in for good measure.<\/p>\n So join us as we take a trip back to 1986 when college rock radio was cultivating some of the stars of tomorrow. And below the gallery, check out a list of college rock radio acts that went on to become huge success stories.<\/p>\n In 1986’s college rock underground, these songs were laying the groundwork for bigger things ahead for most of these bands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n College rock specialized in introducing great talent that mainstream stations. In some cases, some of their discoveries eclipsed college rock into becoming massive bands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Subscribe to Loudwire on YouTube<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n20 Songs That Shaped College Rock Radio in 1986<\/h2>\n
10 College Rock Bands That Eventually Found Massive Success<\/h2>\n