Artrocker, issue 94 published in October 2009 features the 'Alternative' band 'The Horrors' on the front cover.
The images used on the front cover, are cut out jagged pictures of each band member. This style of layout is unusual to others on the market and presents an 'Alternative' look. The use of multicoloured lines for their hair conotes the vintage VCR pattern. 'Alternative' bands often refer their style to a vintage look and idolize past trends and fashions.
By using black and white images with a pixelated texture look links to their band name 'The Horrors'. Looking as if they are on another side of a TV screen staring down at the reader to make them feel paranoid, intimidated but also drawn in. The members cold, emotionless facial expressions make the reader feel as if the band is 'cool, calm and collected'. They are made to look mysterious and sexy towards their female audience.
Two members of the band, including lead singer, Faris Badwan, are wearing the prop of blacked out sunglasses. This accessory gives the members a 'hidden identity' and a 'bad man' style and presence.
The typography throughout the front cover, although is mismatched, works together and is easily legible. The headline of 'The Horrors' is written out in a gothic, handwritten style text to relate to the band itself and is an 'Alternative' typography to other genres e.g. bubble writing for pop bands. For the brand name 'Artrocker' the typography used is in a painted, punk rock style. The 'E' in the word 'Artrocker' is made to look like a pacman style monster. This gives the brand name a quirky, more iconic edge and an identity. The pink used stands out against the nude, grey background and is completely different to any of the other colours used on the cover; this draws the readers eyes into the brand name to want to pick it up and read it.
As mentioned in my introduction and aims, 'Alternative' music magazines often use nude colours as a basic colour so the brighter, more eccentric colours stand out over top. This 'Artrocker' issue follows this trend with the washed out grey background with the bright brand name and multicoloured lines.
Throughout this front cover, it follows the conventions of an 'Alternative' music magazine. The colours, band used, typography and layout all present an 'Alternative' style. This type of look is rarely found in other genres, so it tends to stand out against other music magazines and carries its own individual style and identity.
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