KZOK playlist shakeup

[skwm]

KZOK has added 90's rock from the likes of Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam (among others) to their playlist. At least "Matchbox Twenty" and "Train" haven't made the cut. Perhaps a response to the existence of the new "Rock 98 - 9"

To be fair, Nate Connors in particular would play some Metallica and Queensryche, Black Crowes, and Guns n Roses has been in their library for a while. The new stuff is Alice in Chains ("Man in the Box" and "Rooster"), RHCP ("Under the Bridge" is the only song I've heard by them on the station), and Pearl Jam ("Alive," "Evenflow," and I think "Jeremy.") Amanda J played REM's "Losing My Religion" last night though--not sure I agree with that being in the rotation. Wouldn't be surprised if we hear some early Soundgarden eventually given their connection to the Pacific Northwest, maybe some Mudhoney too.

I think there's just enough of it for variety but it's jarring. Classic rock isn't usually dark in the same way the grunge stuff is. With classic rock, the problems are often "out there" in the world. With grunge, the problems are usually emotional/psychological and they seem to be hopeless. Of course there are exceptions. Nevertheless, the tonal shift of going from Suffragette City to Man in the Box to One Way Out seems extreme to me.

 

[Bongwater]

To be fair, Nate Connors in particular would play some Metallica and Queensryche, Black Crowes, and Guns n Roses has been in their library for a while. The new stuff is Alice in Chains ("Man in the Box" and "Rooster"), RHCP ("Under the Bridge" is the only song I've heard by them on the station), and Pearl Jam ("Alive," "Evenflow," and I think "Jeremy.") Amanda J played REM's "Losing My Religion" last night though--not sure I agree with that being in the rotation. Wouldn't be surprised if we hear some early Soundgarden eventually given their connection to the Pacific Northwest, maybe some Mudhoney too.

I think there's just enough of it for variety but it's jarring. Classic rock isn't usually dark in the same way the grunge stuff is. With classic rock, the problems are often "out there" in the world. With grunge, the problems are usually emotional/psychological and they seem to be hopeless. Of course there are exceptions. Nevertheless, the tonal shift of going from Suffragette City to Man in the Box to One Way Out seems extreme to me.

If you think those are extreme transitions, wait until they phase in the Nu-Metal years of 1995-2002. Bands like Linkin Park, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, 311, Disturbed, System Of A Down, etc.

These songs were played by ad nauseum by rock radio in those days. And there's a generation that actually grew up with this stuff. And like alternative/grunge, there will be no escaping it for Classic Rock radio.

 

[Roddybob]

As a 55 year old male that graduated from High School in the heyday of late 70's KISW--Langan & West, Dr. Rock, Crow & Hovanes, Steve Slaton, Jessie Brandon & John Napier--I have had my Speaker Lab 7's turned up to 11 for hours and hours at a time with the analog dial of my Pioneer Tuner on (or near) 102.5FM. But recently I have scrolled down near 98.9...in just the 9am hour on this Monday, I heard, in order-- Rage Against the Machine, Guns N Roses, The Clash, Jimi Hendrix, Helmet, Van Halen, Seven Mary Three, Def Leppard, Weezer, Heart, and AC/DC. That is a good mix right there! The Classic rock, the Nu Metal, and the just plain Rockin! How can you not be a fan of "Rock" music and not just have it cranked up...I know you do, you just won't admit it.....

 

[AQH]

If you think those are extreme transitions, wait until they phase in the Nu-Metal years of 1995-2002. Bands like Linkin Park, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, 311, Disturbed, System Of A Down, etc.

These songs were played by ad nauseum by rock radio in those days. And there's a generation that actually grew up with this stuff. And like alternative/grunge, there will be no escaping it for Classic Rock radio.

Just because one can use Google and name some bands within a specific time period does not automatically equate to a Classic Rock station playing them.

 

[KMan]

I also wouldn't lump 311 in with the rest of those bands (though I thought, at the time, and still think now, that they pretty much all stink, 311 included).

 

[fordranger797]

Just because one can use Google and name some bands within a specific time period does not automatically equate to a Classic Rock station playing them.

It does make sense for groups like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains to weave their way into Classic Rock radio, as all of these bands stand the test of time and are relevant to people who grew up with more conventional rock bands. As for the "nu-metal" that Bongwater brought up, most (if not all) of those groups appeal only to certain listeners, and it would be hard for me to picture a day when that type of rock would ever flow with a mix of 80's rock music. But again, I'm no programmer.

 

[AQH]

It does make sense for groups like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains to weave their way into Classic Rock radio, as all of these bands stand the test of time and are relevant to people who grew up with more conventional rock bands. As for the "nu-metal" that Bongwater brought up, most (if not all) of those groups appeal only to certain listeners, and it would be hard for me to picture a day when that type of rock would ever flow with a mix of 80's rock music. But again, I'm no programmer.

Good, valid observations. The PD is a smart one, so there is solid reasoning as to why he didn't jump on the grunge stuff sooner. They are still a tiny piece of their active playlist, even though some deem it "jarring".

 

[boombox4]

It does make sense for groups like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains to weave their way into Classic Rock radio, as all of these bands stand the test of time and are relevant to people who grew up with more conventional rock bands. As for the "nu-metal" that Bongwater brought up, most (if not all) of those groups appeal only to certain listeners, and it would be hard for me to picture a day when that type of rock would ever flow with a mix of 80's rock music. But again, I'm no programmer.

The Nu-metal acts were staples of rock radio during the turn of the century. They may not appeal to the staid classic rock listeners of today, any more than 80's hits appeal to oldies fans.

But nu-metal comprises a large swath of the late 1990's - early 2000's rock music, and although I'm not a programmer either, eventually classic rock station will have to add it or they will lose audience -- it will age away, just as oldies has in most metros.

 

[KMan]

The Nu-metal acts were staples of rock radio during the turn of the century. They may not appeal to the staid classic rock listeners of today, any more than 80's hits appeal to oldies fans.

But nu-metal comprises a large swath of the late 1990's - early 2000's rock music, and although I'm not a programmer either, eventually classic rock station will have to add it or they will lose audience -- it will age away, just as oldies has in most metros.

The nu-metal bands were not just on modern rock stations like KISW at the turn of the century, but were heavily played on alt-rock stations like The End, alongside Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the aforementioned grunge groups. It will be interesting to see how they are treated, because I didn't feel they really fit in on the alt stations then, and don't know how to categorize them now.

 

[skwm]

If you think those are extreme transitions, wait until they phase in the Nu-Metal years of 1995-2002. Bands like Linkin Park, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, 311, Disturbed, System Of A Down, etc.

These songs were played by ad nauseum by rock radio in those days. And there's a generation that actually grew up with this stuff. And like alternative/grunge, there will be no escaping it for Classic Rock radio.

Please no. I'd have to stop listening at that point. I AM the generation that grew up in that era. I was in high school. In fact, that was when I discovered classic rock--to get away from that garbage.

 

[skwm]

It does make sense for groups like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains to weave their way into Classic Rock radio, as all of these bands stand the test of time and are relevant to people who grew up with more conventional rock bands. As for the "nu-metal" that Bongwater brought up, most (if not all) of those groups appeal only to certain listeners, and it would be hard for me to picture a day when that type of rock would ever flow with a mix of 80's rock music. But again, I'm no programmer.

But there's a connection between some of the grunge and classic rock, particularly with Pearl Jam but I think with Soundgarden as well--and the influence on the Black Crowes is obvious. I think it makes sense in ways that it doesn't with REM (heard Zak Paul play "The One I Love" tonight) doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the catalogue. And I don't think the nu-metal really does either; it was sort of a post-post-grunge thing as popular music wandered in the darkness until finding its way again in the early aughts. Hopefully by the time classic rock radio feels pressure to put that garbage on we'll have colonized Mars and I can go there to get away from it.

 

[KMan]

And I don't think the nu-metal really does either; it was sort of a post-post-grunge thing as popular music wandered in the darkness until finding its way again in the early aughts. Hopefully by the time classic rock radio feels pressure to put that garbage on we'll have colonized Mars and I can go there to get away from it.

Circa 2001 I had a co-worker who was weird, awkward, and dorky. We were both high school aged. I don't remember the context for the conversation, but I do remember this choice line from him - "You don't know the real me. The real me listens to Slipknot and Limp Bizkit."

He was so proud of how hard core he thought he was. I didn't like that music, anyways, but I can't hear any of those bands now and not think of this awkward poser wanna be metal head I worked with fifteen years ago.

 

[bobdavcav]

But there's a connection between some of the grunge and classic rock, particularly with Pearl Jam but I think with Soundgarden as well--and the influence on the Black Crowes is obvious. I think it makes sense in ways that it doesn't with REM (heard Zak Paul play "The One I Love" tonight) doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the catalogue. And I don't think the nu-metal really does either; it was sort of a post-post-grunge thing as popular music wandered in the darkness until finding its way again in the early aughts. Hopefully by the time classic rock radio feels pressure to put that garbage on we'll have colonized Mars and I can go there to get away from it.

I see the sarcasm in this post, but I don't think Mars is going to be an escape, because their's going to be a rock station there too. I would say you've got about 10-15 years left with the format.

 

[Bongwater]

Please no. I'd have to stop listening at that point. I AM the generation that grew up in that era. I was in high school. In fact, that was when I discovered classic rock--to get away from that garbage.

Arguably about the time it does comes around, Classic Rock will be waning and aging out (it's showing signs of it now.) Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Def Leppard and ZZ Top will be KIXI fodder by then (if terrestrial radio hasn't already began the transition to streaming only and shutting off the transmitters by then.)

We were warned back in 1999 when "Butterfly" Crazytown became a big hit that one day in the future, this rock/rap stuff's time will come when it will take over Classic Rock radio. And make no mistake, it will likely have some kind of nostalgia revival when it hits around the 20-30 year mark of it's peak. (Sure is going to look funny to watch a bunch of middle-agers get funky to "I did it all for the nookie/The nookie/So you can take that cookie/And stick it up your.....")

 

[fordranger797]

Hopefully by the time classic rock radio feels pressure to put that garbage on we'll have colonized Mars and I can go there to get away from it.

Can't disagree. I think there are a lot of people who would tune out if that junk made its way into the playlist. That style of music was catered for the angry high schoolers of the time (as Kman mentioned). It barely holds up now.

 

[boombox4]

Nu-metal may not fit in with the rest of Classic Rock now, but it will as the older stuff ages out. As in all genres, there was good and bad. With 70's rock, you had your Led Zeppelins, but then you also had such "classics" like Asia and Kingdom Come -- stuff that got lots of airplay back then but apparently no one now admits to liking.

It's the same with nu-metal and rap-rock.

 

[semoochie]

Nu-metal may not fit in with the rest of Classic Rock now, but it will as the older stuff ages out. As in all genres, there was good and bad. With 70's rock, you had your Led Zeppelins, but then you also had such "classics" like Asia and Kingdom Come -- stuff that got lots of airplay back then but apparently no one now admits to liking.

It's the same with nu-metal and rap-rock.

As I was saying the other day, Rock has been an ever decreasing niche' since about 1990. I don't think it's possible to have a mass appeal Classic Niche' format.

 

[skwm]

"You don't know the real me. The real me listens to Slipknot and Limp Bizkit."

LOL

 

[skwm]

Arguably about the time it does comes around, Classic Rock will be waning and aging out (it's showing signs of it now.) Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Def Leppard and ZZ Top will be KIXI fodder by then (if terrestrial radio hasn't already began the transition to streaming only and shutting off the transmitters by then.)

We were warned back in 1999 when "Butterfly" Crazytown became a big hit that one day in the future, this rock/rap stuff's time will come when it will take over Classic Rock radio. And make no mistake, it will likely have some kind of nostalgia revival when it hits around the 20-30 year mark of it's peak. (Sure is going to look funny to watch a bunch of middle-agers get funky to "I did it all for the nookie/The nookie/So you can take that cookie/And stick it up your.....")

A chilling glimpse into our dark future.

 

[Radio-X]

Arguably about the time it does comes around, Classic Rock will be waning and aging out (it's showing signs of it now.) Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Def Leppard and ZZ Top will be KIXI fodder by then (if terrestrial radio hasn't already began the transition to streaming only and shutting off the transmitters by then.)

I'm looking forward to the day where KIXI will use those "generic classic rock star intros" in their imaging...

"'Hi, I'm Steven Tyler from Aerosmith'...'This is Billy Gibbons with ZZ Top here'...'I'm Roger Waters with Pink Floyd'

...Music that rocks as much now as it did back then...with Robin and Maynard in the Morning....

88-0 the X...KIXI Mercer Island-Seattle"


Radio-X