Another new Cox translator for Greenville?

[carolinaradio]

BTW, I've been noticing MY is playing a decent amount of non-grunge 90s Alternative. Kind of interesting to hear some of the stuff that was considered Alternative back then (like "Everything You Want" by Vertical Horizon, "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry, "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, "3AM" by MB20, etc.) that 95% of Alternative stations wouldn't touch now.

 

[awp69]

BTW, I've been noticing MY is playing a decent amount of non-grunge 90s Alternative. Kind of interesting to hear some of the stuff that was considered Alternative back then (like "Everything You Want" by Vertical Horizon, "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry, "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, "3AM" by MB20, etc.) that 95% of Alternative stations wouldn't touch now.

Yeah, it is funny -- and maybe a little sad -- that groups like the Goo Goo Dolls (which really were better in the early years any way) won't see the light of day on alternative stations now. I was even surprised when X played No Doubt recently (which, no surprise, went away). But others like the Dave Matthews Band, the Counting Crows, R.E.M. and even Alanis Morrisette were big on alternative in the '90s and now are relegated to Hot AC or even AC. It frustrates me in many cases groups like the Counting Crows, R.E.M., U2 and The Cure - there's only a few songs that they'll even play on Hot AC. So everything else is banished from radio, in general.

I remember back in the '80s even 10,000 Maniacs, Erasure and others you would never think of today were on alternative stations (although Natalie Merchant did better on her own on Hot AC/AC)

 

[carolinaradio]

I guess it's considered too soft these days. I have no idea, but it sounds better than the grunge and I think the softer stuff has held up better. Stations like 97.7 Chuck FM play a ton of the 90s Alternative like you mentioned. U2, The Cure, REM, Gin Blossoms, No Doubt, etc. 106.3 Charlie FM played even more.

I don't even think stations like Magic play much Alternative - except for maybe the obligatory "Big Yellow Taxi" by Counting Crows, or "Iris" by GGD, or "I Still Haven't Found.." by U2. AC stations seem to play the same crummy 90s songs over and over again. I think stuff like Dave Matthews or the Gin Blossoms would fit well on a format like that but apparently not. Even stuff like "Wild Wild West" by The Escape Club was a hit on Alternative back in the day, I think. Hard to believe.

 

[awp69]

I guess it's considered too soft these days.  I have no idea, but it sounds better than the grunge and I think the softer stuff has held up better.  Stations like 97.7 Chuck FM play a ton of the 90s Alternative like you mentioned.  U2, The Cure, REM, Gin Blossoms, No Doubt, etc.  106.3 Charlie FM played even more. 

Yeah, every once in a while while I'm flipping through I'll hear Chuck play some '90s alternative. Guess it's just too far and few between for me to listen to on a consistent basis, but that is the nature of a variety hits station. Charlie did play more so it's the older tilt that keeps me from listening to Chuck more.

If I remember correctly, the last time I was in Mrytle Beach, KZQ played some of the non-grunge alternative. Think I did hear things like The Smiths and R.E.M. Just was looking at the playlist and don't see much today (might have been a weekend thing). But KZQ isn't afraid to play things that are either a little softer, like Better than Ezra or Garbage or newer songs by groups like a Slient Film or Keane, or more nontraditional songs by Radiohead like "Karma Police" (I hate that the only song that X plays by Radiohead -- and this goes for a lot of alternative stations today -- is "Creep"). And I'd rather hear '90s punk like Bad Religion, also on KZQ's playlist, than grunge, grunge, grunge.

It's harder, but Paramore's new song actually reminds me a bit of early, more aggressive songs by No Doubt. I saw on KZQ's homepage that Depeche Mode has a new album coming out, which I'm sure they will play (if it's any good). But wonder whether X will touch it.

I definately DO appreciate X98.5 and they have been good with playing some new stuff by bands I haven't heard from before. They are better than a lot of other alternative stations, even IMO 99X, which got too generic towards the end and even, probably in an attempt to save itself, played more active rock. While I still consider WHFS back in the '80s and early '90s to be the most groundbreaking alt station, 99X was great in the beginning. Besides the groups already mentioned, I remember plenty of other groups like Matthew Sweet and Jesus Jones, which you'd probably be hard pressed to find anywhere now.

 

[awp69]

Slightly off topic, but was surprised to see the announcement of The Black Keys coming to Charter Ampitheater. It doesn't say "presented" by X98.5 (or 93.3 for that matter), but I wonder if X had any influence on getting a tour date here. I've always wanted a successful outdoor venue here and while the Charter Ampitheater has hosted some concerts, it's still isn't really comparible to other outdoor venues like Verizon Ampitheater. So it's still impressive to see them snag a concert like this and hope it leads to more summer tours coming through the area.

BTW, guess I was bored, and decided to put my theory that X is playing less Active Rock to the test and found that it looks like I'm right.
Groups like Korn, Staind, Disturbed, Tool, Chevelle, Shinedown and the like have all either fallen off X's playlist or been relegated to just one or two plays in a 48 hour period. I'm pretty sure those groups were in higher rotation initially (probably in an effort to get Planet listeners). The only borderline Active Rock band (well, from my selection) still getting somewhat regular airplay is Incubus.

So, that makes me happy and goes along with my thoughts that there's plenty of alternative from as far back as the late '80s through today (which is obviously where the emphasis will be with "new rock") that you shouldn't have to backfill with a lot of Active Rock. Still think they could use a good shaking up of their older tracks, but at least their not leaning on active like a lot of other alt stations are doing.

 

[carolinaradio]

That is good news. The closest I remember to something like that in recent years is when the Gin Blossoms and Tonic (along with someone else I believe) came to Freedom Weekend Aloft several years back. Typically, our "live" shows in this area have been artists like Eddie Money and AC/DC. Not that I really mind them but some variety would be better. Charleston attracts a lot of good outdoor shows it seems - Dave Matthews Band was there a while back, Hootie & The Blowfish host the "Homegrown" concert around there a lot. They have an AAA station there that I LOVE (105.5 The Bridge), so that might have an impact. Not sure.

The only one of those groups you mentioned that I like is Shinedown. They had a semi-successful Hot AC hit with "Second Chance." We don't need 2 Active Rock stations. Still, I've heard Active-friendly Alternatives like 106-5 The End in Charlotte that still mix in Depeche Mode, DMB, No Doubt, U2, REM, Cure, etc. Since I haven't heard any of that stuff added, I guess we can take away from the test that the type of Alternative from the 90s we're wanting to hear wasn't that popular. Sad.

 

[awp69]

The only one of those groups you mentioned that I like is Shinedown.  They had a semi-successful Hot AC hit with "Second Chance."  We don't need 2 Active Rock stations.  Still, I've heard Active-friendly Alternatives like 106-5 The End in Charlotte that still mix in Depeche Mode, DMB, No Doubt, U2, REM, Cure, etc.  Since I haven't heard any of that stuff added, I guess we can take away from the test that the type of Alternative from the 90s we're wanting to hear wasn't that popular.  Sad.

I agree. But that last music questionnaire also didn't include a question about that so really I suppose it's just our two voices on their FB page that have asked them about it. Hope they at least give it some more thought and maybe put a question like that on their next questionnaire.

I wonder whether the last one had anything to do with the reduction of active rock. There wasn't really any specific question on that except for one more active rock song in the survey (that I didn't even recognize). At least they seem to be leaning away from that direction, now my only real gripe is with the '90s selection.

As far as concerts, I used to cover entertainment for The Greenville News in the days of 103X and we did get some decent stuff at that time, Bush (with No Doubt opening and they were actually FAR better live than Bush was), Green Day, The Gin Blossoms also had come to Furman and a lot of smaller alt bands played at The Handlebar (Vertical Horizon was one among many). Wilco played an outdoor show at Braves stadium -- believe it or not I think that was a Planet show -- even though they never played the band!  I know there were other that are slipping my mind. But seems like a lot of the tide in concerts also has turned towards the outdoor venues over the summer months. Even back then there was push to do more outdoor shows over at the Greenville fairgrounds and even a plan to build a more permanent venue (that never happened). So I hope Charter Ampitheater does open some doors for more concerts like that.

 

[awp69]

Thinking of my days of doing concert reviews brought back a few more trips down memory lane of the 103X period....I remember the old "Cowboys" over on the westside of Greenville had Collective Soul and Del Amitri (felt bad for Del Amitri as there literally were like 30 people there while Collective Soul probably broke fire hazard laws with how jam packed it was.) Also remember U2 at Clemson. That was an awesome show.

 

[carolinaradio]

That was Alternative's golden era! Wow! I didn't live in the Greenville area back then but then again I don't know if I would have followed the concerts at the time. Like I keep saying, I don't think those groups will ever, as a whole, be topped. There's some good stuff out now, but the 90s had so many heavy hitting groups that turned out such timeless, quality stuff. The concerts around here have been kinda crummy in recent years. There certainly aren't big Alternative acts coming here now (except for the upcoming Black Keys concert), and with a lot of them up-and-coming, it seems like they would be more inclined to come to some more midsized cities. The overwhelming majority of the outdoor concerts around here have been pretty un-impressive - B-93.7 has brought some pop-rock acts outdoors like The Ready Set, We The Kings (pretty much unknowns), Boys Like Girls, etc. and Mat Kearney, but that's about all that I know the radio stations have sponsored. Seems like Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat kicked their tour together last year at the Charter Ampitheater.

You know, you're right about the survey. I also filled out the Chuck FM survey and it had a 90s Alternative section (if my mind isn't playing with me) that had a lot of the more pop-friendly groups listed.

 

[awp69]

Yeah, I honestly haven't been paying attention much to The Handlebar's concert calendar (unfortunately don't have that much time for concert going these days anyway), but wouldn't be surprised if they still get some smaller alt acts --- more along the lines of something that would be played on WNCW.

But other than that, it's been pretty dry from everything else I know as far as alternative concerts coming to the area in the past 10 years or so. It was fun to be covering music during the '90s and I was even surprised at the groups that flowed into the area. Of course, it wasn't like Atlanta or Charlotte, but still some decent stuff.

Green Day and the Dave Matthews Band played at the old Greenville Memorial Auditorium. And, if memory serves me correctly, that Bush show with No Doubt was one of the first concerts the Bi-Lo Center (Janet Jackson opened the venue) -- although that may have been at GMA as well. And both Furman (also remembered a Dishwalla concert there as well) and Clemson were pretty active in getting shows. I believe Spacehog came to a bar in downtown Greenville and there was also a few bars in Spartanburg that got a few alternative/punk groups that had just broke. The Wallflowers came to Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. Groups like Cracker, The Fixx, Smash Mouth and Third Eye Blind played at Characters (now The Platnium Club -- LOL). U2 (which surprisingly had Rage Against The Machine opening) and The Eagles were probably the last big "stadium" shows at Clemson. Of course, no group really does those big stadium shows any more.

Those really were the golden days of alternative and even concert wise for Greenville.

Greenville gets a fair amount of shows still - mostly in country now a days, but if X succeeds, maybe more alternative groups will come back to the area.

 

[upstate29651]

Once Cox sells (remember, their local stations are currently for sale), look for current translator programming to change or end.

G

 

[awp69]

Once Cox sells (remember, their local stations are currently for sale), look for current translator programming to change or end.

G

Well, I honestly hope that whoever buys the stations sees merit in what Chuck and X98.5 are bringing to the area. There's little overhead and if Cox is able to show that they're profitable then there may be no reason to change or end programming on them. Of course, they may be programmed a bit different with the new owners, but I do hope the formats themselves prove worthy of keeping.

 

[carolinaradio]

Whoever buys these stations will keep the translator. It's way too valuable to quit leasing. Who wouldn't want an extra signal or two? Whether they see more value in something else other than the Alternative format is what remains to be seen.

Green Day and the Dave Matthews Band played at the old Greenville Memorial Auditorium. And, if memory serves me correctly, that Bush show with No Doubt was one of the first concerts the Bi-Lo Center (Janet Jackson opened the venue) -- although that may have been at GMA as well. And both Furman (also remembered a Dishwalla concert there as well) and Clemson were pretty active in getting shows. I believe Spacehog came to a bar in downtown Greenville and there was also a few bars in Spartanburg that got a few alternative/punk groups that had just broke. The Wallflowers came to Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. Groups like Cracker, The Fixx, Smash Mouth and Third Eye Blind played at Characters (now The Platnium Club -- LOL). U2 (which surprisingly had Rage Against The Machine opening) and The Eagles were probably the last big "stadium" shows at Clemson. Of course, no group really does those big stadium shows any more.

Those really were the golden days of alternative and even concert wise for Greenville.

Greenville gets a fair amount of shows still - mostly in country now a days, but if X succeeds, maybe more alternative groups will come back to the area.

Wow. That's a pretty impressive list of acts. It seems like the majority of mainstream acts skip Greenville and go to Charlotte these days. Most of them are country these days or washed-up classic rock bands/artists.

 

[awp69]

Whether they see more value in something else other than the Alternative format is what remains to be seen.

God help us if Alternative is dumped. I'd already say we're 99.9% sure MY is going to get flipped. And not that MY was much of a salvation, but without either X or MY, I'd be back to hating Greenville radio. I seriously wonder whether X98.5 would even be a serious competitor against The Planet if they were on a stronger signal. It may have been a stretch a few years ago, but with Alternative generating more hit bands and The Planet staying stagant for so long, I think it would have a chance -- even with the "redneck" population that may favor the hard trash they play. I think there's a decent amount of the population that has to be tired of hearing basically no "new" rock (I don't consider thrashing rock that blurs together "new" regardless of when it was released).

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for the long term chances of X.

Wow.  That's a pretty impressive list of acts.  It seems like the majority of mainstream acts skip Greenville and go to Charlotte these days.  Most of them are country these days or washed-up classic rock bands/artists.

Besides the big names at the auditoriums, both Cowboys and Characters failed miserably as clubs, but they did help a lot to bring breaking acts to the area. Unfortunately, The Handlebar is the only bar/concert venue that still really brings in anything. Looking at their calendar, it seems they're pretty much focused on blues, bluegrass and things, as I mentioned, more along the lines of what WNCW would play. Hinder, sadly, is the only rock act that I see upcoming.

 

[awp69]

X98.5 does seem to be switching out some of their '90s stuff, but not really in a good way IMO. Heard Silverchair and Seven Mary Three today -- stuff, again, that could be heard on The Planet.

What's interesting is that a week or so ago, there was a FB post that mentioned that the station was "trying to build a better planet" but yet playing stuff that is played on The Planet (the active and grunge stuff being the most overlap IMO). Why is that interesting? One of the Cox managers "liked" that post. Besides the generic X98.5 user name, I had never seen an actual Cox manager like or comment on a post.

I was wondering -- perhaps even hoping -- that this Cox manager is going to be part of the new Summit Media group being formed to buy out this and the rest of the Cox stations in this and the other markets they were selling. Less Planet overlap would be a good thing.

 

[awp69]

Ok....well, maybe I was wrong and they're planning to mix things up even more. Depeche Mode and The Cranberries just within the past 20 minutes! Yeah, something other than grunge from the '90s! Although they may not always respond it's nice to see a station that actually at least sometimes pays attention to the opinions of its listeners.....

 

[awp69]

Yeah, I know I'm talking to a wall unless carolinaradio reads this, but seems like those non-grunge '90s songs may have been a little test. Looked at what they played overnight and there was even more '90s alternative thrown in, another Depeche Mode song, The Breeders, Dishwalla, Sponge....

But since the overnight hours, they haven't played a single song out of the norm as far as '90s offerings (ie., still grunge and none of the aforementioned groups). It sounds just like every other day. We'll see. Hope yesterday's changes filter back in.

 

[carolinaradio]

Sometimes stations play different songs in the overnight hours that they wouldn't play during the day (dayparting). Magic 98.9 does this. I know a lot of CHR's drop new songs in overnight hours to get in better graces with the record labels, and test tracks out, but I've never really heard of doing it with older stuff (again, outside of Magic).

I still think it sounds good, but if they are just going to focus on grunge from the 90s, I'd rather them just stay with more new stuff. Ideally, though, I would still like a mix like Radio 104.5 of 80s/90s pop Alternative (with just a little grunge), 00s Alternative (somewhat of a dead era compared to the 90s), and a wide variety of currents. Maybe when this station is out of Cox's control they'll have the freedom to open things up.

 

[awp69]

Sometimes stations play different songs in the overnight hours that they wouldn't play during the day (dayparting).

I would have thought the same thing, but the Depeche Mode and Cranberries songs were actually played during the day yesterday. They even posted on their FB at the time (just checked their playlist and it was 3:47 p.m.).

BUT now I see that it's happening again tonight (since 6 p.m.) -- '90s songs from Sponge, Spacehog and Presidents of the USA have been played. Not that I like all of those selections, but at least even those are change from the constant Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, etc.

Since they did it yesterday during the day, hope they start to bring some more of the '90s non-grunge over to the day time as well.

 

[awp69]

They seem to be testing this at various times of the day for just a few hours and with just a small group of songs by the groups mentioned in earlier posts (like Dishwalla, Sponge, Better than Ezra). It's just kind of a strange way of doing it though. Not sure how they're going to get much response by just doing it a few hours a day and with a limited selection of groups. Like this afternoon - two Sponge songs within an hour? With the exception of Depeche Mode, I'm not really crazy about the groups they've selected as there's plenty of better '90s alt. They're definately better than the grunge though and any movement to increase the '90s playlist is good.

I think ideally it might be nice to see X do like a '90s weekend and see what kind of response it gets. If it gets good reaction, increase the '90s tunes (non-grunge since they have enough of the grunge already) during all hours. Of course, still keeping the focus on currents.

Other than the new stuff, I'm actually really getting burnt out with the older selection of music they're playing. Same grunge/post-grunge 90% of the time. Finding myself flipping more than I did at first just because I could put up with it for the rest of the newer music. Now, it's just driving me insane.

As you say, hopefully the reigns will be loosened after the Cox sale goes through.