The direct definition of non-mainstream in Hong Kong, Taiwan or local countries mostly only refers to the number of people, the sales volume of their albums, or even just the title of a commercial method. Image is always marginalized and a niche thing. The outside world's impression of non-mainstream music is that it is neurotic, alternative and even a little unsafe, and any music that is political, confrontational or subversive is classified as alternative music by local music critics. Mainstream music is what normal people listen to. This is what we often call "herd behavior". In order to gain a sense of identity, one puts oneself in a group and uses the projection of countless people to create the illusion of greatness for oneself. Chinese-American listeners are the majority. Businessmen are too aware of this human weakness, which is why local music is poor.

In the mid-1980s, heavy metal entered the mainstream music scene, and its traces can be found in all major mainstream music charts. However, not all heavy metal is popular or mainstream. The emergence of art heavy metal (prog metal, art metal) is the best proof. However, when today's local Chinese listeners see people with long hair, tattoos, and gold belt rings, they think they are very different and a commercial technique. For the entire music environment, this is not just a term. The mistake is actually a difference in taste and knowledge of music. We can even say that it is a serious backwardness.

This situation causes bands or musicians to unconsciously take issues such as the public and sales into consideration when considering their musical direction, which delays the entire music process. A musician should focus on "music creation" instead of wasting time on "brand creation." In such a distorted environment, musicians will gradually fall into the polarization between mainstream and alternative music. It seems even more elusive to achieve the blooming of European and American music. Underground music is a way for underground groups to express their feelings, and it is also a manifestation of underground culture. It is a musical phenomenon opposite to the "mainstream". Most underground music opposes commercial packaging, emphasizes the ideological nature of works, and pursues the originality and personalization of musical language. But usually, after a period of "underground" development, alternative music is bought by big companies and integrated into the mainstream. The most typical examples are X, Nirvana, Radiohead, R.E.M.