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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 1993)
Alas Grunge, we hardly knew ye Grunge is dead. It was sick for some time, gasp ing for breath, struggling un der the weight of overexposure. As fashion designer after fashion design er came out with “grunge” lines, as models skipped through magazines in bandanas, grunge grew weary. It started in Seattle, apparently. From there it spread through the bars and wardrobes of the country. Grunge was a living, breathing entity, soft as flannel yet tough as the street. But Grunge grew up. It aged. The alternative became mainstream. Lit tle bead necklaces sprouted like flow ers on necks across the spectrum. These days you can read about grunge in newspapers or get fashion pointers on television. Even Dr. Mar tens are on sale at the Half-Price Store. I think a funeral should be held for Grunge.! liked him. He was nice to me, anyway. 1 bought the CDs. I had always worn the occasional flannel shirt, but I bought my favorite brown one in honor of the movement just last year. That guy from Nirvana could give the Grunge eulogy, although we wouldn’t be able to understand what he was saying. “Smells like yester day’s clothes,” perhaps. I picture a burial at sea, in the Puget Sound just off Seattle. The guys from Pearl Jam would be sniffling, griev ing for a lost friend. “For God’s sake, man, use this bandana,” someone will tell them. Then Grunge slides off the deck, deep into waters made deeper by tears from the new college radio pantheon. Or maybe Grunge should be put to rest in space, encased in a photon torpedo tube like Spock in “Star Trek II. That way Grunge could come back as a young vulcan. Then, in “Star Trek IV,” when the crew visits Earth JWWmW;t3t^nge^vourdbeahead of its own time. Crazy. Actually, Grunge probably would That guy from Nirvana could give the Grunge eulogy, although we wouldn’t be able to understand what he was saying. “Smells like yesterday’s clothes,” perhaps. come back without the Genesis Ef fect. Styles have a way of evolving rather than fading away. Don’t throw out those Long Johns yet. It’s not like Grunge was disco or something. Disco was a giant that fell hard, and his big, pointy collars pierced his flesh upon impact. But the spirit of Grunge lives on. If anyone doubts the staying power of clothes, just witness bell bottoms —the Richard Nixon of fashion. Both tell lies, whispering at night from your closet: “I am once again fashion able. Wear me — no one will laugh. I promise.” Just like Superman, Grunge will come back to life. For a time, perhaps, there will be imposters, both good and evil. Followers will be divided. Tem pers will flare. If we’re lucky, nostrils might flare as well. There’s just noth ing like a room full of wavy nostrils. And ajar of mayonnaise. Eventually, the clamor will die down. A new king will be chosen by the twin gods Spin and Rolling Stone, and the masses will celebrate with Bacchian revelry. “We know what clothes to buy again! Hooray!” they’ll shout, relieved that they can again look like Cool People. That is, Alternative Cool Peo ple, who are the only Real Cool Peo ple anyhow. It won’t be Grunge, exactly. The Post-Grunge era will be influenced by today, sure, but differences are bound to arise. After all, style is one of the most unpredictable, difficult aspects of human society to understand, on par with the stock market or the NU Board of Regents. The most important thing to real ize is that even in the days After Grunge, when winds of change howl across the wastelands of popular cul ture, people will be able to wear just about anything. Society is pretty ac cepting of clothes these days, and if you want to look stupid no one really cares. That may not have been true in the more straight-laced days of, say, the 1950s. But times are different, and even Republicans sometimes do their own thing, such as wearing baseball caps backward. Today, whether you’ re Liver Eatin’ Johnson or Six-Pack Drinkin’ Joe, you can walk the streets without wor rying someone will call you a fashion weenie. But the horizon of the future is mysterious and hazy. No one knows exactly what clothes will fill closets of tomorrow. When and if Grunge resurrects, he probably will mutate into some new, strange form the likes of which we can’t begin to imagine. It might be comforting, or it might be scary. And while I’m no soothsayer or fortune teller, here’s a phrase to keep in mind: Fish Heads. Rolly-Polly Fish Heads. *i.. Fbolpe U »4Htof wwi a Dally Nebraska* »eater reporter aad a colon ail t. Net?ra&kan Editor JeremyFHzpatrlck Night News Editors Managing Editor Wendy Mott KSnlTlCeeer Assoc. News Editors £j£B~*£» AdDta»r oSiTelSS. Editorial Page Editor Kathy Stelnauer D General Manager DanShattil Wire Editor Jeff Singer Production Manager KathjilnaPollctcy Copy Desk Editor Chris Hopteneperger Advertising Manager Jay Cruaa FAX NUMBER 472-1761 The Daily Nebraskan(USPS 144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board. Ne braska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, NE, Monday through Friday during the academic year; weekly during summer sessions. ^ ■ .. .. . . Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by phoning 472-1763 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The public also has access to the Publications Board. For information, contact Doug Fiedler, 436-6407. Postmaster: lend address changes to ttte Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St.,Lincoln, NE 68588-0448. Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, NE. ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1993DAILY NEBRASKAN RPAT Applications are now being accepted for positions on Racial Pluralism Action Team (RPAT). RPAT is: - An advisory group to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs on matters of race and diversity. - A group which promotes cultural awareness and racial understanding. - A group which co-sponsors the annual diversity retreat and the • diversity mini-conference. , - An advocate for those who feel that they have been discriminated against or the victim of some racial attack. For an application, come to 124 Administration Building or call 472-3755. The application deadline is Wednesday, September 15 at 5 p.m. RPAT meeting Thwday, fleptunfter in Nebraska Union. I With these, you can save right now Thai ptmy jar on your Artsscr ^(u&mSS+ira** IkjmKwmUffpkhfiomdi *_. fff fi Mm frid “sttssss*-' topk klMWatb C*btns " 6 m UppHtme Cob, Homo, mdfffU Bam*U&*rilL Now; you can get substantial savings on these Macintosh1 per sonal computers. You can also get special student financing with the Apple* Computer Loan1 - to make owning a Mac* even easier. Tb see just how affordable a Macintosh can be, visit your Apple Campus Reseller today. And discover the power more college students choose. The power of Macintosh. The power to be your best? The CRC Computer Shop* 501 Building ■ 501N. 10th Street, University of Nebraska, 472-5785, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.n». 'Students, faculty »nd staff status must meet CK Compuw Shop -— ttwntoAn*. ■i<iiii*W |fr‘r**~|— *" ~ _ __—