The Evolution of X98.5

[awp69]

Figured since someone posted about Earth's changing playlist, I'd also post that X98.5 has really changed over the past year or so.

Back when it started (hard to believe three years ago now), it played a decent amount of active leaning bands that may have once been played on Alternative during the lull in the 2000s but never really were right for the format like Korn, Incubus, Papa Roach, etc. All of that is gone. Completely. Other more truly alternative bands from the 2000s like Snow Patrol and Keane have been added.

And while the focus still has been new alternative, which the station has done an excellent job keeping up with, they've been making moves to include more classic alternative as well. First with a broader range of 90s music (ie., not just grunge) like Radiohead, Matthew Sweet, Gin Blossoms, etc. And now, they are stretching into the 80s a bit with tracks from New Order, The Cure, R.E.M., U2, Echo & The Bunnymen and others. That's not to say that they aren't aggressive with new music -- they are.

The result is really impressive. X, IMO, has joined the ranks of some of the best alt stations like Radio 104.5 in Philadelphia. They also are slowly changing their imaging from the New Rock Alternative to Greenville's Only Alternative.

The only problem still facing X is its signal, which still is not reaching as far as it needs to for the suburban communities where their demo would primarily be and is at times almost unlistenable even as close in as the Woodruff Road area on sunny mornings (especially in the Summer).

Anyway, only posting to let anyone who has an interest in the alternative format and hadn't listened to them in a while, you might want to give them another listen. Summit has put a lot of work into the station considering its on a small translator.

 

[awp69]

For anyone interested, X has shifted even more into classic alt starting today. Like probably once ever 5 songs. INXS, Joy Division, Psychedelic Furs and a lot more. Really sounding awesome.

Also, they are now reporting to Mediabase, giving the station more legitimacy.

 

[vchimpanzee]

You don't really mention today's alternative music. The only bands I would know are the Avett Brothers (who are from around here), Mumford and Sons, and the band that was on Saturday's classic SNL Florence and the Machine.

 

[awp69]

You don't really mention today's alternative music. The only bands I would know are the Avett Brothers (who are from around here), Mumford and Sons, and the band that was on Saturday's classic SNL Florence and the Machine.

Yeah, I guess I was primarily noting that X has changed a lot in its classic alt playlist.

The vast majority is still new alternative. And they are very aggressive with new adds. Have all the latest from staples like Muse, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Weezer, Black Keys and Death Cab for Cutie.

But they also play a lot of newer bands - Cold War Kids, Nathaniel Rateliff, Chvches, Saint Motel, Jr Jr, Disclosure, Nothing But Thieves, etc., as well as those you mentioned. Don't think they've played the Avett Brothers though (probably should).

I just like that they pulled away from active rock, which I think they were doing to pull Planet listeners at first. Mixing in the classic alt and not as much grunge also just gives it an overall more consistent sound.

It just needs more listeners -- with its inconsistent and weak signal not helping it.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I saw an article about Chvrches (I think you misspelled it) but other than that I haven't heard of any of those bands in that second list.

 

[awp69]

I saw an article about Chvrches (I think you misspelled it) but other than that I haven't heard of any of those bands in that second list.

Yes, I did misspell it. Ironically, they're also my favorite band of those.

But that's also what I like about alternative is the fact that I'm always discovering new bands. Don't think there's any other format that is more open to new bands than alternative.

 

[acheron1982]

Yes, I did misspell it. Ironically, they're also my favorite band of those.

But that's also what I like about alternative is the fact that I'm always discovering new bands. Don't think there's any other format that is more open to new bands than alternative.

They are sounding great. I thought they died. I didn't even realize they were still around. WOW! Playlist looks amazing.

KZQ is another one that is pretty awesome out of Myrtle Beach. Doesn't entertain the older stuff but they are not afraid to play Tool which may have been abducted by active rock stations but damn, that is also alternative in my book as well.

I'm in Atlanta and we have Radio 105.7. I actually listen to my XM radio more than that station. Too repetitive and way too safe. Radio 1045 is also not as good as it use to be. X985 is MUCH better than Radio 104.5

I'm on the SC board because I wanted to point out Savannah. Cumulus has just removed Nash 96.5 and changed it back to KIX which is the original name. I bring that up because 102.1, WZAT, a 100K WATT monster in Savannah is the Nash Icon station pulling piss poor numbers in the ratings. I'm hoping they go alternative as cumulus has launched a pretty respectful alternative format (much better than iheart). Savannah already has an active rock station and a horrible mainstream rock station that is repetitive as hell. I'm hoping Cumulus brings back the old Z102 when it was alternative in the mid 90s. Keep your eye out.

 

[vchimpanzee]

KZQ is another one that is pretty awesome out of Myrtle Beach. Doesn't entertain the older stuff but they are not afraid to play Tool which may have been abducted by active rock stations but damn, that is also alternative in my book as well.

Do they not still say "classic alternative" when describing their music? I didn't think to notice that this year. So it's just "new rock" now, not "new and classic"?

 

[awp69]

They are sounding great. I thought they died. I didn't even realize they were still around. WOW! Playlist looks amazing.

KZQ is another one that is pretty awesome out of Myrtle Beach. Doesn't entertain the older stuff but they are not afraid to play Tool which may have been abducted by active rock stations but damn, that is also alternative in my book as well.

I'm in Atlanta and we have Radio 105.7. I actually listen to my XM radio more than that station. Too repetitive and way too safe. Radio 1045 is also not as good as it use to be. X985 is MUCH better than Radio 104.5

I'm on the SC board because I wanted to point out Savannah. Cumulus has just removed Nash 96.5 and changed it back to KIX which is the original name. I bring that up because 102.1, WZAT, a 100K WATT monster in Savannah is the Nash Icon station pulling piss poor numbers in the ratings. I'm hoping they go alternative as cumulus has launched a pretty respectful alternative format (much better than iheart). Savannah already has an active rock station and a horrible mainstream rock station that is repetitive as hell. I'm hoping Cumulus brings back the old Z102 when it was alternative in the mid 90s. Keep your eye out.

KZQ is really good too. Haven't listened to them lately but last time I was in Myrtle Beach (about a year and a half ago) they were playing some classic alt in the mix. I know they have Kinard there who used to be with 99X long ago when it was in its prime so I'm sure he is the reason the station has sounded better than most.

I also haven't listened to Radio 104.5 in quite a while. Used to love that station, but X98.5 has improved so dramatically (and they were decent to begin with) that I really have no reason to listen to anything else. Used to flip between 104.5 and X98.5 when it first started because there was a lot that 98.5 wasn't playing. Now they are. And that added boost of classic alt has really elevated them to the next level. As long as they switch out those older tunes every few months and continue to be aggressive with new adds, I'm happy.

Just hope Summit never decides to kill it. It's ratings aren't great but the signal IMO is the issue -- not the format or playlist. Don't think anything else could do much better with the issues the translator has.

I'll have to keep an eye out to see if Savannah gets an alt station back. It's a great format and am glad that it's picked up a good bit in the last few years after a dip in the early 2000s.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I was reading that Savannah has AAA but I can't tell whether that's anything like what you want. Plus it's on AM.

 

[acheron1982]

Savannah has two AAA stations now (officially). The new station is simulcast on the FM side as well. While I say Savannah has two AAA stations, in reality, those stations are basically AC ROCK stations. I wouldn't call any of the true AAA stations.

I tried listening to the new station there in Savannah but it sounds identical to the original station that was labeled AAA. Typically, AAA leans modern with more folkier adult alternative music. In otherwords, you won't hear Nine Inch Nails but you will hear The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons. AAA stations will also play a handful of older songs from the college rock/new wave days like REM and even some cuts from David Bowie. The AAA stations in Savannah are leaning older with only a handful of newer stuff. The slogan "Timeless Favorites" is being used on the new station which really isn't AAA. The original AAA station in Savannah uses "Quality Rock" which is closer to the true idea of AAA but still, the to lean older in the music.

 

[awp69]

Savannah has two AAA stations now (officially). The new station is simulcast on the FM side as well. While I say Savannah has two AAA stations, in reality, those stations are basically AC ROCK stations. I wouldn't call any of the true AAA stations.

I tried listening to the new station there in Savannah but it sounds identical to the original station that was labeled AAA. Typically, AAA leans modern with more folkier adult alternative music. In otherwords, you won't hear Nine Inch Nails but you will hear The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons. AAA stations will also play a handful of older songs from the college rock/new wave days like REM and even some cuts from David Bowie. The AAA stations in Savannah are leaning older with only a handful of newer stuff. The slogan "Timeless Favorites" is being used on the new station which really isn't AAA. The original AAA station in Savannah uses "Quality Rock" which is closer to the true idea of AAA but still, the to lean older in the music.

I suppose those are better than nothing. But alternative has made somewhat of a comeback in the last few years so maybe Savannah will get a true alt station. I'm just glad X98.5 has survived and since it never got great numbers, I feel hope that it's drawing enough advertising dollars to keep it there. I can't believe it's been here for over three years now. Some people didn't think it would last the first year.

Aside from a bad Summer book (which is when the station also comes in the worst), it has gotten close to double its original ratings in the last year. The current fall trend is still low but that also is when we're still hot enough that the sunny mornings are filled with static. Hoping it bounces back again in the Winter book.

I can't say Summit hasn't supported it well though. The programmer there does a LOT for a translator with special weekends, Throwback Thursdays and constant adds. A lot of translators are just sort of there with little done to keep the music playlists strong.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I don't know if this means anything. I was reading about a change in Miami when Entercom bought a very popular station there. Someone said Entercom is really trying to get Seattle-style alternative rock onto its stations. And The Planet has gotten a lot of criticism, at least here. Or does Entercom still own The Planet? I've lost track.

 

[awp69]

I don't know if this means anything. I was reading about a change in Miami when Entercom bought a very popular station there. Someone said Entercom is really trying to get Seattle-style alternative rock onto its stations. And The Planet has gotten a lot of criticism, at least here. Or does Entercom still own The Planet? I've lost track.

Entercom does own The Planet. I'd like to see that. I personally think the station is horrible and it has dipped a bit in 12+ ratings.

But I think the combination of The Rise Guys (whose popularity I still don't understand) plus sports like Clemson games has been giving them a good revenue stream.

If they were smart, they'd switch the music format to alternative, keeping TRG and sports, and I think they could draw better ratings outside of those two biggies. The active rock mix they play is just abysmal and they do seem to have no desire to improve it. TRG might not be a good fit for alt though. But even KZQ's syndicated morning show (which escapes me ATM) is kind of an odd pair with alternative.

That's my 2 cents at least. I really do think alternative would do better on a mainstream signal in the Upstate. I guess college kids don't do much for diaries, but it would probably be huge in Clemson, which X doesn't even come close to reaching.

If they ever did, I would hope "Seattle-style" doesn't mean a grunge focus, alternative is so much more these days with a lot of more electronic infused music, folkier tunes and even honky tonk type stuff like Nathaniel Rateliff. It's actually much closer to the way it was in the 80s before the grunge boom.

Edit: KZQ used to have the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show, which if I recall had that same kind of crass humor as The Rise Guys. Now they have ESPN's Mike & Mike so they have an alternative / sports pairing like The Planet would have if they ever flipped.