Cumulus chills out on "Warm," launches a refreshed "Ninety Nine X" @ 98.9

[acheron1982]

You got to think, Industrial music started on Alt station. If Nine Inch Nails or Tool had a new single out today, Alternative stations wouldn't touch it. It's like a pendulum and it has swung too far in the other direction.

 

[awp69]

You got to think, Industrial music started on Alt station. If Nine Inch Nails or Tool had a new single out today, Alternative stations wouldn't touch it. It's like a pendulum and it has swung too far in the other direction.

Depends on the station. I think NIN would be played (my local station plays them). Tool, IMO, is active rock and a band that got on alt stations during that lull.

I seriously doubt a band like Tool would ever been played on an alt station in the 90s. To me that's hard rock/active -- not alternative.

 

[chrocket87]

Acheron, one thing to disagree on: Entercom can't do anything with 92.9, as its a CBS station. Not to mention, the Game has gained some nice traction in ratings/revenue since bringing on the Falcons.

I agree with your thoughts on having more rock product on Alternative stations. I enjoy harder stuff like Chevelle and Rise Against, but I also like indie stuff like Of Monsters and Men and Joywave. The poppy stuff (especially 'Genghis Khan') tends to irritate me.

Side note: the top two songs on Alt. are rockier songs (Nothing but Thieves and Foals). That is much better than what else they're playing, IMO.

 

[awp69]

I guess to me alternative also kind of splintered. And the harder bands like Chevelle, Tool, Rise Against and White Zombie became active rock. While the more "pop rock" side of spectrum remained alternative.

I still think that split sounds better. I do like the more rock edge like Nothing But Theives but that still are far from the hard guitar driven bands like I mentioned above.

I'll just agree to disagree on that.

 

[acheron1982]

Tool was most def alternative band that was played on active rock stations. Prog Rock and Industrial was founded on alt station well before the active spike of the early 2ks. Think of White Zombie's Astro-Creep 2000 album. That came out in 1995 as well and alt stations were playing it. Industrial music from Ministry and the such were all a follow up to Nine Inch Nails who was also a foundation to Alternative and it's popularity in the 90s. Tool came out with the undertow album back in the mid 90s (I think 1995) and I remember 99X use to play the shit out of it mostly at night. 96 Rock, the mainstream active leaning station in Atlanta didn't touch Tool until the late 90s after they got "POPular".

chrocket - You may be right about the game picking up traction but CBS is selling all their stations per a release I saw on this board a few weeks ago. Only logical beneficiary of V103 and The Game would be Entercom who owns 94.1. Clear Channel and Cumulus are maxed out. I guess Alpha Media is another option who is growing but V103, being one of the most popular urban stations in the country, will likely be led but a larger corp such as Entercom vs Alpha... I would think anyway.

 

[acheron1982]

Here are the top spins from Alt Rock stations in 1995.

1995

Top Modern/Alternative Songs of 1995
by Alex Cosper

ALANIS MORISSETTE - You Oughta Know
GREEN DAY - When I Come Around
OASIS - Wonderwall
PEARL JAM - Better Man (1994)
LIVE - Lightning Crashes
WHITE ZOMBIE - More Human Than Human
NINE INCH NAILS - Hurt
BUSH - Everything Zen
FILTER - Hey Man, Nice Shot
FOO FIGHTERS - I'll Stick Around

1995 Top Pop Hits
1995 Top Albums
1995 Top Ballads/Adult Contemporary
1995 Top Country Hits
1995 Top Dance Hits
1995 Top Modern/Alternative Hits
1995 Top R&B Hits
1995 Top Rock Hits

More Top Modern/Alternative Songs of 1995

COLLECTIVE SOUL - December
PEARL JAM - Corduroy
SMASHING PUMPKINS - 1979
TOADIES - Possum Kingdom
MAD SEASON - River of Deceit
SILVERCHAIR - Tomorrow
GREEN DAY - She
FOLK IMPLOSION - Natural One
BUSH - Comedown
NIRVANA - The Man Who Sold The World
HOLE - Violet
GOO GOO DOLLS - Name
SMASHING PUMPKINS - Bullet With Butterfly Wings
NO DOUBT - Just a Girl
WEEZER - Buddy Holly
FOO FIGHTERS - This Is A Call
P.J. HARVEY - Down By The Water
BUSH - Little Things
COLLECTIVE SOUL - The World I Know
OUR LADY PEACE - Starseed
U2 - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
BLUES TRAVELER - Run Around
RANCID - Salvation
BUSH - Glycerine
GREEN DAY - J.A.R.
SEAL - Kiss From a Rose
OFFSPRING - Smash It Up
OASIS - Live Forever
ALANIS MORISSETTE - All I Really Want
DEEP BLUE SOMETHING - Breakfast at Tiffany's
PEARL JAM - Nothing Man
LETTERS TO CLEO - Here and Now
SOUNDGARDEN - The Day I Tried To Live
OFFSPRING - Kick Him When He's Down
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND - What Would You Say
CRANBERRIES - Ode To My Family
BETTER THAN EZRA - In The Blood
BLUES TRAVELER - Hook
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND - Ants Marching
KORN - Blind
SPONGE - Molly
PEARL JAM - I Got Id
PRIMUS - Wynona's Big Brown Beaver
PORTISHEAD - Sour Times
NATALIE MERCHANT - Carnival
RANCID - Ruby Soho
ELASTICA - Connection
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - Unglued
NINE INCH NAILS - Dead Souls
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Lump
ALANIS MORISSETTE - Hand In My Pocket
R.E.M. - Crush With Eyeliner
SPONGE - Plowed
BETTER THAN EZRA - Good
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Only Wanna Be With You
LIVE - All Over You
NATALIE MERCHANT - Wonder
TOAD THE WET SPROCKET - Good Intentions
RANCID - Time Bomb
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - My Friends
SMASHING PUMPKINS - Never Let You Down Again
R.E.M. - Bang and Blame
SEVEN MARY THREE - Cumbersome
SIMPLE MINDS - She's a River
PEARL JAM - Long Road
JOAN OSBOURNE - One of Us
RANCID - Roots Radical
STONE ROSES - Love Spreads
WEEZER - Say It Ain't So
TOAD THE WET SPROCKET - Crazy Life
NINE INCH NAILS - Piggy
GREEN DAY - Geek Stink Breath
OASIS - (What's the Story) Morning Glory
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Hold My Hand
R.E.M. - Strange Currencies
SHERYL CROW - Strong Enough
MATTHEW SWEET - Sick of Myself
SOUL ASYLUM - Misery
SUBLIME - Date Rate
RADIOHEAD - Fake Plastic Trees
NIXONS - Happy Song
HEATHER NOVA - Walk This World
SOUL ASYLUM - Just Like Anyone
FOR SQUIRRELS - Mighty KC
MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS - Mockingbird Girl
ALANIS MORISSETTE - Ironic
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - Dancing Days
PHISH - Bouncing Around the Room
SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - O Baby
R.E.M. - Star 69
OASIS - Rock N' Roll Star
OUR LADY PEACE - Naveed
NIRVANA - Polly
EDWYN COLLINS - A Girl Like You
SMOKING POPES - Need You Around
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - Warped
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Kitty
HUM - Stars
CAKE - Rock and Roll Lifestyle
DEL AMITRI - Roll To Me
TRIPPING DAISY - I Got a Girl
CRACKER - Shake Some Action
ALICE IN CHAINS - Grind
OFFSPRING - Bad Habit
MATTHEW SWEET - We're The Same
WOLFGANG PRESS - Going South
GIN BLOSSOMS - Til I Hear It From You
LIVE - White, Discussion
MONSTER MAGNET - Negasonic Teenage Warhead
CHRIS ISAAK - Somebody's Crying
LISA LOEB & NINE STORIES - Do You Sleep
THE THE - I Saw The Light
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Hey Hey What Can I Do
PAVEMENT - Rattled By the Rush
ADAM ANT - Wonderful
THROWING MUSES - Bright Yellow Gun
GARBAGE - Queer
FACE TO FACE - Disconnected
PEARL JAM - Immortality
HOLE - Asking For It
CRANBERRIES - Ridiculous Thoughts
4 NON BLONDES - Misty Mountain Hop
SILVERCHAIR - Pure Massacre
CANDLEBOX - Understanding
BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS - In The Morning
DANZIG - Can't Speak
BABES IN TOYLAND - Sweet 69
MIKE WATT & EDDIE VEDDER - Against The 70s
WAX - California
COLLECTIVE SOUL - Gel
CONNELLS - 74-75
RENTALS - Friends of P
MASSIVE ATTACK - Protection
NOFX - Leave It Alone
PRIMITIVES - Crash '95
BLIND MELON - Galaxie
GOO GOO DOLLS - The Only One
JULIANA HATFIELD - Universal Heartbeat
CRACKER - Good Times, Bad Times
JIM CARROLL BAND with PEARL JAM - Catholic Boy
VERUCA SALT - Number One Blind
CAKE - Jolene
DANDELION - Weird Out
EVERCLEAR - Fire Maple Song
SARAH McLACHLAN - Hold On
FAITH NO MORE - Ricochet
CATHERINE WHEEL - Way Down
DEFTONES - 7 Words
BJORK - Army of Me
SHERYL CROW - Can't Cry Anymore
ELASTICA - Stutter
CAKE - Ruby Sees All
GOD LIVES UNDERWATER - No More Lies
PETER MURPHY - The Scarlet Thing In You
BELLY - Super-connected
BETTER THAN EZRA - Rosealia
CANDLEBOX - Simple Lessons
CATHERINE WHEEL - Judy Staring At The Sun
MAIDS OF GRAVITY - Only Dreaming
BELLY - Now They'll Sleep
ASSPONYS - Little Bastard

 

[acheron1982]

I think the point I am trying to make is that the harder and edgier side of Alternative actually began in the 90s and was even harder in the 2ks. You are wanting more of what the 80s and only the 80s played in terms of alternative. So bands like Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Howard Jones and Fine Young Cannibals. These were some of the carvings of alt radio or new wave of the 80s but it was also some of the carvings of Top 40 in the 80s as well. You can thank MTV for that lack of differentiation of alternative (new wave) and TOP 40.

 

[acheron1982]

One more thing - I think that "pop rock" that awp mentioned above got separated from alternative in the 2ks because of the creation of AAA stations. When DAVE was founded in the early 2ks, you saw 99X without an identity. They basically had to find that niche between the active rock stations (96 ROCK and The Buzz) and the AAA station (DAVE).

 

[awp69]

That list has a ton of more pop songs on it though too. Hootie and the Blowfish? Gin Blossoms? Toad the Wet Sprocket? Sheryl Crow?

So, yes, there are some harder bands like Tool, Korn and White Zombie.

I guess like I said I feel like there was a split. I'd even consider grunge to be "active" rock now. Look at the active rock playlists and probably every harder band in your listing is on it.

My thought is that that's a good thing. It makes more sense.

But again, that's just my opinion. I like the direction of alt today and people who want bands like Tool and Korn can certainly hear them on active stations.

 

[acheron1982]

Don't believe "Active Rock" was a term in the 90s. Perhaps I'm wrong but there was a "Rock" format which I guess was mainstream. Here is the listing.

P.S. - Doesn't look like active rock existed. Appears it was alternative or mainstream rock. Difference had nothing to do with sound more to do with the mainstream level. I guess, hell if I know. Bit confusing looking at 90s radio charts.

Top Rock Songs of 1995
by Alex Cosper

LIVE - Lightning Crashes
PEARL JAM - Corduroy
GREEN DAY - When I Come Around
BLUES TRAVELER - Run-Around
COLLECTIVE SOUL - December
SMASHING PUMPKINS - Bullet With Butterfly Wings
SILVERCHAIR - Tomorrow
FOO FIGHTERS - This Is a Call
BUSH - Everything Zen
WHITE ZOMBIE - More Human Than Human

1995 Top Pop Hits
1995 Top Albums
1995 Top Ballads/Adult Contemporary
1995 Top Country Hits
1995 Top Dance Hits
1995 Top Modern/Alternative Hits
1995 Top R&B Hits
1995 Top Rock Hits

More Top Rock Songs of 1995:

BETTER THAN EZRA - Good
BUSH - Comedown
TOADIES - Possum Kingdom
TOM PETTY - You Don't Know How It Feels
FOO FIGHTERS - I'll Stick Around
ALANIS MORISSETTE - Hand In My Pocket
SMASHING PUMPKINS - 1979
NEIL YOUNG & PEARL JAM - Downtown
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Lump
BUSH - Little Things
VAN HALEN - Can't Stop Lovin' You
MELISSA ETHERIDGE - Your Little Secret
COLLECTIVE SOUL - The World I Know
BRYAN ADAMS - Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman
NIRVANA - The Man Who Sold the World
AC/DC - Hard As a Rock
PEARL JAM - Better Man
OZZIE OSBOURNE - Perry Mason
ALANIS MORISSETTE - You Oughta Know
SHERYL CROW - Stong Enough
OUR LADY PEACE - Starseed
BLUES TRAVELER - Hook
KORN - Blind
GREEN DAY - J.A.R.
U2 - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
BROTHER CANE - And Fools Shine On
THE BEATLES - Free As a Bird
BUSH - Glycerine
OFFSPRING - Smash It Up
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Kitty
PEARL JAM - I Got Id
ELASTICA - Connection
PRIMUS - Wynona's Big Brown Beaver
HOLE - Violet
OFFSPRING - Gotta Get Away
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Only Wanna Be With You
GREEN DAY - She
MAD SEASON - River of Deceit
AC/DC - Cover You In Oil
PEARL JAM - Nothing Man
OFFSPRING - Kick Him When He's Down
SPONGE - Plowed
KENNY WAYNE SHEPPARD - Deja Voodoo
FILTER - Hey Man, Nice Shot
LIVE - All Over You
R.E.M. - Crush With Eyeliner
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - Unglued
BETTER THAN EZRA - In The Blood
GIN BLOSSOMS - Til I Hear It From You
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS - Waiting For Tonight
COLLECTIVE SOUL - Gel
LIVE - All Over You
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - My Friends
CANDLEBOX - Understanding
SILVERCHAIR - Pure Massacre
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND - What Would You Say
SOUL ASYLUM - Misery
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - Hold My Hand
WEEZER - Buddy Holly
P.J. HARVEY - Down By The Water
GOO GOO DOLLS - Name
MIKE WATT & EDDIE VEDDER - Against the 70s
SEVEN MARY THREE - Cumbersome
R.E.M. - Bang and Blame
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND - Ants Marching
MATTHEW SWEET - Sick of Myself
FAITH NO MORE - Ricochet
MELISSA EHTERIDGE - If I Wanted To
BONNIE RAITT - You Got It
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - Dancing Days
R.E.M. - Star 69
DEL AMITRI - Roll To Me
GREEN DAY - Geek Stink Breath
ALANIS MORISSETTE - All I Really Want
R.E.M. - Bang and Blame
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - Warped
MONSTER MAGNET - Negasonic Teenage Warhead
LIVE - White, Discussion
ALICE IN CHAINS - Grind

 

[awp69]

Yes, active rock didn't really exist in the 90s. What I'm saying is in the mid 2000s it began to split off into active and alternative.

And with the exception of some hybrid stations, that pretty much completed when alt started to get more product in the 2010s.

Wouldn't you agree?

I don't know. But I personally like alt stations without active. That's not saying there shouldn't be more rock based acts like the White Stripes, The Black Keys and even Nine Inch Nails amongst others. Just that the really hard guitar driven stuff is better split off. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RadioDoogie]

Adding also to my earlier comment...I also think pop's downfall in the early 90s not only affected the boost of the alternative movement but also gave country its golden era in the early 90s. Also think The Other Side of the River should be on a bigger signal. I think it would be very successful in the metro.

 

[musicislife]

I don't think an Alt/Active mix station would work. I remember several months after 100.5 "merged" with 98.9 The Bone, 100.5 tried to add Alt stuff and the listeners were absolutely not having it. I think it lasted about 2 or 3 months before 100.5 went all classic rock.

 

[awp69]

I don't think an Alt/Active mix station would work. I remember several months after 100.5 "merged" with 98.9 The Bone, 100.5 tried to add Alt stuff and the listeners were absolutely not having it. I think it lasted about 2 or 3 months before 100.5 went all classic rock.

There are a few that have made it work -- mostly some alt stations that didn't kick the active to the side as alternative got more hits and product. But by and large, most alt stations have purged the vast majority of active rock. But most larger markets, at least, have an active rock station as well so everyone can be happy

 

[acheron1982]

You are right - Rock 100.5 was a joke when they tried adding some alt acts into the mix. It sounded awkward but I think it had more to do with how it was executed. Again, go check out the playlist for 105.7 The Point and you will see a perfect execution of alt/active. Mind you, The Point gets out the new alternative music weeks and in some cases, months before the Iheart radio stations do. Yes, you can be edgier and newer base in alternative/indie while still having somewhat of a harder side.

http://www.1057thepoint.com/broadcasthistory


Note: I'm talking Chevelle, System of a Down, Trapt - Not so much Five Finger Death Punch or Volbeat. The Point doesn't do those artist. I can't put my finger on it but there is a difference between artist like Chevelle and artist like Volbeat. It's like comparing Smashing Pumpkins with Metallica.

 

[MarkW]

99X went downhill when it was taken over by Cumulus and the playlist became generic.

While the station certainly began sounding worse than before once Cumulus took over, the ratings nosedive began when the station was still under Susquehanna ownership.

I remember several months after 100.5 "merged" with 98.9 The Bone, 100.5 tried to add Alt stuff and the listeners were absolutely not having it. I think it lasted about 2 or 3 months before 100.5 went all classic rock.

100.5 sounded like an absolute trainwreck during that brief period; I think it was a pathetic attempt on their part to counter Radio 105-7. I wonder who came up with that horrible playlist - Troy Hanson or John Dickey?

 

[acheron1982]

If I'm not mistaken, the person that came up with that came from the Nashville Rock Station where that was attempted and it actually worked. Difference is though, 100.5 was also including classic rock into that mix instead of just alt and active. It was executed totally wrong. Plus, an active/alternative hybrid can't just play any active or alternative song. For example, your not going to hear Chvrches on 105.7 The Point but you are also not going to hear Five Finger Death Punch either. They try to go in the middle by playing Muse and Chevelle; Foals and System of a Down; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night and Rage Against the Machine; Catfish and the Bottlemen & Deftones. There is even a bit of a shift by time of day (harder and older vs more newer and poppier). 100.5, when they were attempting the hybrid, was literally doing it all from Pink Floyd to AC/DC to Metallica to Cage the Elephant to The Killers to Pop Evil. That execution is simply lazy.

 

[awp69]

I'm saddened to say that after 3.5 wonderful years that I think, based on some reliable sources, X98.5 in Greenville is on its way out. Only posting here to get sympathy since no one in the lifeless South Carolina forum would probably care. And I want to hope it's not true....but I think it is. Please help me mourn if it happens!

Apparently it was pulling 3.7 on weekends 18-34, which is incredible for the worst radio signal in the GSP market, in the most recent trend.

 

[secondchoice]

I can only guess that there was not an advertiser(s) that got results from the station. Is / was there a station in there cluster that sells the same or similar demos that could be sold in combo or as a value added / bonus? If not I could understand a sales person who is trying to make a quota not spending much time beating the bushes for advertisers.

 

[awp69]

I can only guess that there was not an advertiser(s) that got results from the station. Is / was there a station in there cluster that sells the same or similar demos that could be sold in combo or as a value added / bonus? If not I could understand a sales person who is trying to make a quota not spending much time beating the bushes for advertisers.

There is a second translator, adult hits Chuck FM, which I believe X was likely doing combos with. I *think* that may also die as its ratings have declined. It's on a better signal and once had higher ratings than X98.5, but has had identical ratings as X in recent trends.

The owner of both stations, Summit Media, has been struggling financially so I am not sure if they will even pay what it would take to flip these stations. So my best guess is that if they indeed go, the group will just sell or stop the use of them.