Christian Alternative music is form of religious music where the focus remains largely on the artistic expression of music, but from a Christian (often Protestant) perspective. This contrasts with mainstream Christian Contemporary music (CCM) in that CCM is often viewed as a tool for ministry, where the art of the music is not as important.
Christian Alternative music was formed in the 1970s, partly as a result of movements like the Jesus People. Larry Norman was one of the first musicians in this genre to blend trend-setting music with Christian themes. Another band which started in that era, Daniel Amos, quickly took Alternative Christian music to new heights. Although Daniel Amos started as an country act, within two releases, Terry Taylor, Jerry Chamberlain, Ed McTaggart, and the rest of the band were taking the lastest new wave music to often-unappreciative Christian audiences.
In addition to Daniel Amos, some of the most influential Christian Alternative bands have been Undercover, the 77s, Adam Again, the Choir, Lifesavers Underground, The Altar Boys, Steve Taylor and Vector.