From the 60s British Invasion, through to the experimental and anthemic noises of today, invention and passion have always been key to the UK's idiosyncratic flavour of rock'n'roll. All that's changed is the scope; British Alternative Guitar Music is an ever-morphing beast, ever sticky-fingered and grabbing equally from the cutting edge and the finest moments of the past. It can encompass the sweaty poetry, torn jeans and ripped-off R'n'B riffs of the garage-rock revival, the electronics-propelled futurism of the post-rock movement, the raucous fury of modern metal and punk rock, dance-infused crossover grooves, even the poignant confessionals of the singer/songwriter set. Live music is more popular than ever, radio stations dedicated to the sound have flourished, new festivals for leftfield and underground guitar music have proved a major and sustained success, and the international influence of UK tastes is stronger than ever. This is music alternative in sound and mindset, but never marginalised.

Stevie Chick