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KROQ VS ALT 98.7 (Question for Alt enthusiast)

A

acheron1982

Alright LA, I need your help. I live out in St. Louis so I know very little about alternative in LA with regards to the radio. However, LA is one of the few cities in the country with two commercial alternative stations going at it. I'm curious; Between CBS and Clear Channel, which one does the best job and why.

DISCLAIMER: I'm aware that non commercial radio is better. Sadly, radio is mostly commercial and unless we go to the internet, we rely on the big d*cks for the alternative so I'm curious about CBS and Clear Channel.
 
First of all, I am not so sure that non-commercial radio is better. It's a nice change of pace (vs. commercial radio) but I think commercial radio still does a good job of presenting alternative rock music.

As for KROQ vs. ALT 98.7 (KYSR)...KROQ is an LA legend, going back to its "Rock of the 80's" days. Legendary DJ's like Romando & Evans, Richard Blade, Jed The Fish, Rodney on the ROQ, Poorman, Slugo, April Whitney, etc. to Kevin & Bean of today. KYSR has never had that; so, the battle has been uphill for them. Nevertheless, ALT 98.7 has held their own, musically speaking. ALT leans a bit more current hits whereas KROQ plays more recurrents and "oldies". Counting Kevin & Bean (morning drives), I probably listen more to KROQ but outside of mornings, I probably listen more to ALT.
 
I was in LA for a couple of days recently, and found myself flicking around. Wasn't really that interested in KROQ. I listened, but always found my way back to ALT 98.7. After that (slightly off topic), I ended up at MY-FM.
 
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KROQ tends to play heavier rock while KYSR runs a lighter mix. I'm a huge Kevin & Bean fan so it's KROQ for me in the morning but during the day I tend to punch up KYSR when I need a mellower mix of modern.

BTW KFSR is a non-com that used to play alternative in Fresno, CA when I was anchoring the 5pm news as a student. Their playlist was huge and they preferred to play vinyl over CDs. Then again that was 1991 so things may have changed since then. ;)
 
ajc_trw said:
BTW KFSR is a non-com that used to play alternative in Fresno, CA when I was anchoring the 5pm news as a student. Their playlist was huge and they preferred to play vinyl over CDs. Then again that was 1991 so things may have changed since then. ;)
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It looks like KFSR is primarily jazz, blues and standards these days, although they may have an indie show weekday evenings. You can listen at their website.
 
While not in the LA market, I've tried both online, and greatly prefer KYSR over Kroq--while not as personality driven, Alt does have some personality, and a way better music mix in my opinion. I also generally enjoy Clear Channel's imaging and presentation of alternative stations over KROQ and Live (the only CBS owned alt stations I can think of.)
 
tjolsen said:
While not in the LA market, I've tried both online, and greatly prefer KYSR over Kroq--while not as personality driven, Alt does have some personality, and a way better music mix in my opinion. I also generally enjoy Clear Channel's imaging and presentation of alternative stations over KROQ and Live (the only CBS owned alt stations I can think of.)
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They also own X107.5 out of Las Vegas and HFS in Baltimore, both of which are pretty good, IMO. I also prefer KYSR over KROQ, as the latter is really a shell of its old self, music-wise. I remember when I first got into Alternative, over the years 2001-03, KROQ was always breaking music before everyone else. They're nowhere near those days anymore.
 
And what KYSR claims, I found to be true: KROQ plays more commercials, so I usually go back to 98.7 merely for the fact that all I hear are commercials on KROQ
 
Interesting - I would think most would be for KROQ over 98.7.

Personally - I like WEQX out of Vermont which is an independently ran alternative station (thought they don't play obscure stuff 24/7 like some independent alt stations do).

With respect to Alt 98.7 - I found the format to sound like most Clear Channel alt stations around the country like Radio 104.5 in Philly, The Edge in Dallas, The Buzz in Houston and a few other ones that I am failing to mention.

LIVE 105 out of San Fran (the other CBS station) I thought was sounding pretty damn good about 6 months ago when they were mixing in some 80s new wave with their music but they have drifted away from that and I'm starting to hear little difference between the Clear Channel alt stations and CBS alt stations which is why I was curious.

Again - You alt music lovers - Check out WEQX playlist if you get a chance. Station sounds pretty good.
 
Merely looking at the playlists, I'd choose Alt 98.7 over KROQ. KROQ seems a bit more repetitive and narrow in its playlist, and is a bit heavier than Alt 98.7.

I second the approval of WEQX.
 
I quite enjoy the little bits of eqx I've checked out. I also quite enjoy x 103.9 outside of the main LA market--it's a pretty high energy, station with a very wide music mix and ais very actively involved in the local music scene.
 
I checked out X103.9. Not bad at all. They may be slightly more active than WEQX or should I say, less indie than WEQX but I can't knock a station that plays Movies by Alien Ant Farm!

I still have to give WEQX the station of the Nation in terms of alternative.
 
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