103-3 The Edge

[PassDutch]

How long have they been playing AC/DC, Guns N Roses & Motley Crue on its playlist? They're more of an alternative/active rock hybrid, similar to that of DC101 Washington, 104.1 WBCN in Boston and Canadian alternative stations 99.3 The Fox in Vancouver, FM96 in London, Ontario, and 94X in Prince George, BC.

 

[ThePickleReport]

> How long have they been playing AC/DC, Guns N Roses & Motley
> Crue on its playlist? They're more of an alternative/active
> rock hybrid....


It kinda varies but I do hear more rock/metal product on the station. I heard "Damage, Inc." by Metallica last week.

 

[PassDutch]

> It kinda varies but I do hear more rock/metal product on the
> station. I heard "Damage, Inc." by Metallica last week.

Metallica gets rotation on alternative stations, BTW.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

> It kinda varies but I do hear more rock/metal product on
> the station.
103.3 is sounding more and more like it should be called the fox again.<P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>

 

[wired]

passDutch...
answering your Original question..

it has been approx. 18-24 months of this "new" sound
to wedg-103.3

quite a while ago, i asked a regular dj for 103.3 (still employed @ the edge)
would they play...a few select songs...That person, said..tune to 97Rock.

that following sept. which would be, 2 years ago..the "fall line up"
the 9-from the 90's promo, the 'edge-tacy' (short lived dance show)..
etc,etc...well, that time frame, the nine from the 90's..."caught on"
-Either with the sales team, or with the [email protected] fm -- at any rate,
shortly after that, 90's weekends, went from being a novelity..to
more and more common. In Recent Months, they have declined them,
since they are playing 90s music alot more..THE EDGE saves its weekends
for other styles of music...will they do another 90s weekend, yes..
*IF there is nothing else topping the priorty list!!*

it differs from the fox, because fox-103.3 would always/Only play
artists from that time..they, (103.3)now, will play Select songs,
from certain 90's artists..and select songs, from the 80s hair-band
groups..but as mentioned, will rock out with the new stuff !!

 

[Obtuse]

IMHO "The Edge" has never really committed itself to the alternative format, as they have always leaned heavy/active rock. Once you add Motley Crue and Def Leppard to the Metallica (all decidedly un-alternative artists)....you have crossed the line into active/mainstream rock land. Which leaves T.O.'s CFNY as Buffalo's only true (but just barely) commercial alternative station once again. All that's old is new again......

 

[Radknowski]

> IMHO "The Edge" has never really committed itself to the
> alternative format, as they have always leaned heavy/active
> rock. Once you add Motley Crue and Def Leppard to the
> Metallica (all decidedly un-alternative artists)....you have
> crossed the line into active/mainstream rock land. Which
> leaves T.O.'s CFNY as Buffalo's only true (but just barely)
> commercial alternative station once again. All that's old is
> new again......
>
<font face="times new roman" size="3" color="330066">
One wonders just what Alternative actually is these days. Seems at one time, it was a "movement" [see The sixties, The Fuggs, MC5, Hendrix, Cream, Vanilla Fudge, Soft Machine, Jefferson Airplane, etc.]

Alternative then became a format. After the (major) labels seized control and began marketing it, Alternative wasn't alternative anymore... it became mainstream and eventually just another box on the shelf for consumers to sample and buy.

Then, Curt blew his mind in the garden and the whole ball of yarn seemed to unravel. The real Alternative these days may be hip-hop and rap... again.</font>

Where's Dr. Trance when you need him!?

 

[Renegade_X]

Bah. Alternative music is doing better than ever. It's known as Indie Rock. Ever checked your local club scene? Notice those unknown bands selling the place out night after night? Ever take a look at the CUME and TTSL of Indie Rock stations on Shoutcast? The numbers are massive.

Alternative Rock still exists, just radio (for the most part) has forgot about it. And whatever happened to the day when Alternative radio consisted of more than jarring guitars with suburban white males on vocals? You don't even see one hit wonders like Tasmin Archer anymore.

Lot's of good alternative music. You'll find it online, in your local club, and in Canada on CBC Radio 3. Or if you prefer try 6 Radio at www.bbc.co.uk. And maybe it's better it remains a little difficult to access.

 

[wired]

*New*Observation:

> Bah. Alternative music is doing better than ever.
I take it, u enjoy this sound.

-When I am feeelin' dance music, during the 'summa'
I notice, it's every where and it's not dead.

-During the ERiE.Co_fair, i notice, every one kicks up
their boots..and wyrk has a spike in it's audience/numbers.


-On a Friday Nite, moments, after midnite, an annoying
rap song, sounds, hott..
....deliah, inspires you...well, there are limits...!

MY Point::::i think iF u believe,it is the sound of NOW..
or, enjoy the passion of the sound, of Course
..it's format/genre, is <blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

"is doing better than ever.."

-not to keep saying it, *With NO AFFILATION* to ckey, but
i think they are the station of the summer. they sound
like the "energy" of niagara..and, more and more reports,
of people ( not numbers) but, peeps are saying they are
listening longer, and more often...<if they tweek, a little more
in the right direction, i will STOP being faithful to z-103/toronto,
and rip off the dial, keepin' it in on 101.1 >

*And, yea* Mike Radknowski....the doctor should be in,
"burn baby burn : ) !!"

 

[Renegade_X]

Re: *New*Observation:

> > Bah. Alternative music is doing better than ever.
> I take it, u enjoy this sound.

I like "most" styles of music, tho I can't say I'm running out to buy Country music, and I find classic rock really tired. Same for most "rock". But yeah, I like Indie rock, I think it's stronger than ever. It's just the Indie rock that's strong isn't getting to the FM dial anymore.

I was looking at old charts tonite, and I realized that bands like NiN and whatever Soundgarden clone is out there now are all 10 years old. Not only is alternative NOT alternative, but it's become the nemesis it always hated. It's become "classic rock".

 

[majicrockstar]

Re: *New*Observation:

> > Not only is alternative NOT
> alternative, but it's become the nemesis it always hated.
> It's become "classic rock".

****YES!!!!! Im glad im not the only one who sees this!! The thing that made alternative fresh and exciting before was just that its artists were fresh new and exciting!! Status quo is how to best describe the genre today. Its like a baby still breast feeding from its mother, except the mother in this case is anything from 92-95!!!

 

[majicrockstar]

>
> Then, Curt blew his mind in the garden and the whole ball of
> yarn seemed to unravel. The real Alternative these days may
> be hip-hop and rap... again.
>

By the way its Kurt not Curt!! Sorry i couldnt help myself..

 

[Renegade_X]

Re: *New*Observation:

Thanks....

And it is. I was listening to an online stream the other day and they played Tasmin Archer - Sleeping Satellite. It reminded me that long ago that was a song that got played on "alternative" radio. It got played next to Skinny Puppy, The Stone Roses, Ministry, Erasure etc. Note all those bands, ALL different styles of music.

Alternative radio doesn't exist in America. What exists is "white boy suburban rock radio". It's the same soundtrack, a group of "dysfunctional" types that write blistering riffs and lyrics screaming at the system....while they profit mightly from it. The same anti-corporate kids buy 100 dollar t-shirts at West 49 in the mall.

With few exceptions, alternative radio is boring and dead. While the FM alt rock radio types THINK they're avant garde, no doubt the real alternative music fans look down in disgust. UP here in Toronto region, it's a repeat of 1985 all over, only CFNY/Edge102 is now Q107, but there isn't a replacement for CFNY. At least not on the FM dial

Alt rock programmers should drop their spreadsheets & consultants and take a peak at the CUME and TTSL of many of the shoutcast online stations playing "new indie music". They're doing quite well. I know several indie rock fans with HUGE music collections....and they never listen to the radio. It's absolutely irrelevant.

Pretty scary...if you happen to be programming an alternative rocker.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Re: *New*Observation:

> While the FM alt rock radio types THINK they're avant garde,
> no doubt the real alternative music fans look down in
> disgust. UP here in Toronto region, it's a repeat of 1985
> all over, only CFNY/Edge102 is now Q107, but there isn't a
> replacement for CFNY. At least not on the FM dial

In 1985, at least CFNY and CILQ were two different companies.
Today, all that matters, now that Q&Edge are owned by the same company, is that there is a CLEAR difference between the two stations, even if it means that the TRUE Alternative fan is squashed out of the picture.

One New Rock station, and one Classic Rock station. Unless some indepandant station out there wants to be brave enough to welcome the TRUE alternative rock ear again, it's not going to happen. All the big players in the Toronto market have other plans...and I think it's the same for Buffalo too.
(But I welcome a correction!)<P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>

 

[Renegade_X]

Re: *New*Observation:

I think you're right on the money. Why? Because music fans are leaving radio, and I suspect radio's long term niche will be chasing those people that really aren't deeply into music. The revenue generation scheme of radio doesn't allow for taking risks...and being heavily profitable.

Everyone wanted consolidation, now they have it. Profits are up, interest is down. A perfectly fine siutation from a business standpoint when you don't have any competitors, but now you do.

But how tight can you make your playlist?


> Today, all that matters, now that Q&Edge are owned by the
> same company, is that there is a CLEAR difference between
> the two stations, even if it means that the TRUE Alternative
> fan is squashed out of the picture.
>
> One New Rock station, and one Classic Rock station. Unless
> some indepandant station out there wants to be brave enough
> to welcome the TRUE alternative rock ear again, it's not
> going to happen. All the big players in the Toronto market
> have other plans...and I think it's the same for Buffalo
> too.
> (But I welcome a correction!)
>

 

[Radknowski]

Re: Keen Observation:

> I think you're right on the money. Why? Because music fans
> are leaving radio, and I suspect radio's long term niche
> will be chasing those people that really aren't deeply into
> music. The revenue generation scheme of radio doesn't allow
> for taking risks...and being heavily profitable.
>
> Everyone wanted consolidation, now they have it. Profits
> are up, interest is down. A perfectly fine siutation from a
> business standpoint when you don't have any competitors, but
> now you do.
>
This is a keen observation, but profits aren't altogether up and we're seeing a softening of the market. Check the share price of any major publicly traded company and you'll see that stocks aren't trading at record high valuations.

Music fans may very well be leaving radio or at the very least not staying with it anywhere near as long as they did five years ago. This is certainly true of those in the 12-24 demo. I've observed it first hand with cousins, nephews, neices and my own kids.

There are many factors that should be considered as cause for the abondoment of radio as a primary source of music and aural entertainment. Frantic lifestyles, on-line Internet use, video gaming, restrictive playlists, too damn many commericials in every commercial break and plain old disinterest. Add the iPod to the list and you've got a grand slam.

While technology often finds it way to younger minds and hands first, it is eventually adapted to and embraced by older men and women. Studies have shown an increasing number 60+ users of email, Internet shopping and I-M use. A grandmother in Buffalo keeps in touch with her sister in Florida and her grandchildren in college using email and I-M.

More and more 40+ people are burning CDs, ripping their favorite CD tracks, legitimately downloading music and sharing music on line.

A friend in the business is fond of (half seriously) saying that Country formats have the most loyal listeners because the listeners haven't yet learned how to download the music on line. I don't agree with that stereotype myself, as I know many Country music listeners and they're every bit as bright and knowledgeable as listeners to, say, NPR.

I will say this, however, AC appears to be one format that may resist being abondoned by its core, simply because many 35+ women are just too damn busy working and raising a family to have time to download tunes and fire up their iPods. That's another generalization, to be sure, but it's made with respect and appreciation for what so many women in society face on a day to day basis.

 

[Renegade_X]

Re: Keen Observation:

I think alot of people are too tired to take the time to load up their iPod. I think alot of 'radio haters' miss that point as well. iPods do not bring you new music, they only replay what you've aquired. To aquire such, takes time, energy and effort. Not alot of people, outside real music fans, will spend time looking, reading and downloading the music.

I think the first to suffer from the new media will be Classic Rock & Hit music. New technology usually appeals to men (need a guy ladies, try Best Buy). They're be the first to buy Sirius and try it. Men generally tend to like "Rock" music. Youth are just computer saavy, and don't require a radio. I'm a 36 year old computer dood, and until recently, I didn't have a radio in my house. I listen to radio all the time, I just do so over my computer. I broadcast to my house on the FM dial out of my comp.

I disagree country listeners are stupid. I think country fans are loyal, but so are urban radio fans. Classical fans are loyal, so are Jazz fans...but they aren't seen as dense.

AC's bright spot is office listening. That's free advertising, there you are, stuck in an office and guess what's on the radio. God knows, they aren't going to play Jay Z.

But you know, it will be cool 30 years from now when Jay Z is classic music. Will Oldies 98.5 play Jay Z? Will offices play it? Will 40 somethings still walk with a limp. I can't wait. Sometimes life is worth living :?)


I think you're right on the money. Why? Because music
> fans
> > are leaving radio, and I suspect radio's long term niche
> > will be chasing those people that really aren't deeply
> into
> > music. The revenue generation scheme of radio doesn't
> allow
> > for taking risks...and being heavily profitable.
> >
> > Everyone wanted consolidation, now they have it. Profits
> > are up, interest is down. A perfectly fine siutation from
> a
> > business standpoint when you don't have any competitors,
> but
> > now you do.
> >
> This is a keen observation, but profits aren't altogether up
> and we're seeing a softening of the market. Check the share
> price of any major publicly traded company and you'll see
> that stocks aren't trading at record high valuations.
>
> Music fans may very well be leaving radio or at the very
> least not staying with it anywhere near as long as they did
> five years ago. This is certainly true of those in the 12-24
> demo. I've observed it first hand with cousins, nephews,
> neices and my own kids.
>
> There are many factors that should be considered as cause
> for the abondoment of radio as a primary source of music and
> aural entertainment. Frantic lifestyles, on-line Internet
> use, video gaming, restrictive playlists, too damn many
> commericials in every commercial break and plain old
> disinterest. Add the iPod to the list and you've got a grand
> slam.
>
> While technology often finds it way to younger minds and
> hands first, it is eventually adapted to and embraced by
> older men and women. Studies have shown an increasing number
> 60+ users of email, Internet shopping and I-M use. A
> grandmother in Buffalo keeps in touch with her sister in
> Florida and her grandchildren in college using email and
> I-M.
>
> More and more 40+ people are burning CDs, ripping their
> favorite CD tracks, legitimately downloading music and
> sharing music on line.
>
> A friend in the business is fond of (half seriously) saying
> that Country formats have the most loyal listeners because
> the listeners haven't yet learned how to download the music
> on line. I don't agree with that stereotype myself, as I
> know many Country music listeners and they're every bit as
> bright and knowledgeable as listeners to, say, NPR.
>
> I will say this, however, AC appears to be one format that
> may resist being abondoned by its core, simply because many
> 35+ women are just too damn busy working and raising a
> family to have time to download tunes and fire up their
> iPods. That's another generalization, to be sure, but it's
> made with respect and appreciation for what so many women in
> society face on a day to day basis.
>

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Re: Keen Observation:

Classic oldies--->oldies---->Modern oldies--->Retro classic--->Retro/Modern Retro--->Classic hits---->Hits. <P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>