Alter Natives were an instrumental band in

Richmond, Virginia (Thus do we reach the stars) , image_map = , mapsize = 250 px , map_caption = Location within Virginia , pushpin_map = Virginia#USA , pushpin_label = Richmond , pushpin_m ...

in the mid 1980s and early 1990s. Formed by Greg Ottinger, Jim Thomson, Chris Bopst, and

Eric Ungar Eric Ungar is an American saxophonist, flautist and guitarist. He is perhaps best recognized as a founding member of the jazz fusion ensemble Alter Natives as well as his contributions to the group Hotel X. Ungar left the Alter Natives after the ...

in 1984, their work has been described as a combination of "metal/tropical/surf" and as having "connections to progressive and space rock, albeit an unusually concise, powerful, and disciplined version of those genres", and "hard and fast instrumental fare geared tunefully by a mean, acidic guitar interplay and essential upfront rhythms".Henderson, Dave (1987) "Alter Natives - Hold Your Tongue", ''Underground'', April 1987, p. 10 The band signed to SST Records in 1986 and released three albums through the label. Though only four albums were released, material from a fifth unreleased album is available in rough form on the band's MySpace page.

Members

* Chris Bopst – bass guitar * Greg Ottinger – guitar * Jim Thomson –

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

– saxophone and

flute The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

(1985–1988)

Discography

*1985: ''Friends of The Farm'' (Self published cassette) *1986: ''

Hold Your Tongue ''Hold Your Tongue'' is the debut studio album of Alter Natives, released in 1986 by SST Records. Track listing Personnel Adapted from the ''Hold Your Tongue'' liner notes. ;Alter Natives * Chris Bopst – bass guitar * Greg Otti ...

'' *1988: ''

Group Therapy Group psychotherapy or group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group. The term can legitimately refer to any form of psychotherapy when delivered in a group format, i ...

'' *1989: ''

Buzz Buzz may refer to: People *Buzz (nickname), a list of people *J. Buzz Von Ornsteiner (born 1967; aka ''Dr. Buzz''), American forensic psychologist and journalist Fictional characters *Buzz, a character in the 1987 American comedy movie '' Reve ...

References

External links

*
Alter Natives
at Bandcamp * * American jazz ensembles Music of Richmond, Virginia Musical groups established in 1984 Musical groups disestablished in 1991 SST Records artists {{US-alternative-rock-band-stub