G-Rock Suggested Changes

[mondoradio]

As far as Mike Gavin is concerned - seems to me that the station didn't sound drastically different than it did under the previous PD.

Then you don't know the facts. Through some Googling, I found out that Mike Gavin was PD from the time Darrin Smith left to go to Sirius (early '04) till September of '06. It was in the last days of Darrin Smith that the station was spinning Santana and Norah Jones (not to mention Sugar Ray, Lifehouse, Matchbox 20, Creed, etc). It was after Gavin took over that the Franz's and Modest Mouse's started to "break through" as you say, and the station became more Alternative He was the PD through the G Rock merge with B 98.5, he brought Zanyor back to afternoons, added Matt Knight to nights (from B 98.5), and was there during the subsequent ratings spike. The station sound was very, very different when he left than it was when he took over. You can't dispute that.

Let me continue by saying, I don't think the station sounds bad now. I like the new "classic" stuff that's been added, and I like that they're playing harder stuff during the day. I just liked Gavin as an on-air guy, and you can't argue that he is the one who made G 106.3/G Rock viable as an alternative station. I think Press may have shot themselves in the foot with all these knee-jerk changes (including letting Zanyor go). I guess we'll see when the ratings come out.

 

[Matt Knight]

This is what I was told - There were a handfull of people that wanted Mike Gavin out. Brian Phillips, Matt Knight and Brooke Connelly to name a few. So when Brooke went to Frank Calderero for a full time air shift she had Phillips and Knight to back her. This was the first step in getting Mike Gavin off of the air and Brooke getting mid days. Since she had the support of upper management it was likely for Calderero to give her a shot.

I will NOT sit back and allow Brian Phillips', Brooke Connolly's or MY name be dragged through the mud on an internet radio site. I will also not sit back and hide behind the anonymity of a "user handle." I am Matt Knight from G Rock 106.3 / 106.5 and the views I share are MY OWN and not those of my company or co-workers. I have never posted on this board in the 7+ years I've been working in this business and thought I'd never have to. But when personal attacks that are made based on "reliable sources", then I have no problem defending myself on this forum.

I'm in no position of authority at G Rock to make personnel changes. I am the afternoon drive jock and I also partake in the station's music meetings. That is the EXTENT of my alleged "authority" at G Rock. My opinions are part of a multi-person music meeting and I am by no means the final say of THAT meeting. I served as the APD/MD of B98.5. I am NOT in that position at G Rock. That being said...

While Gavin was at G Rock, Brooke was a part-time jock. So your basis of argument, "aroundtheway", is that a part-time weekend jock, and the night jock (me) went to the General Manager and demanded the removal of the PROGRAM DIRECTOR??? Are you aware how RIDICULOUS that sounds? In the heirarchy of any business (not just radio) I'm sure that if someone who is lower on the totem pole of management went above their direct manager's head, that it would be grounds for insubordination now wouldn't it? It's not "put a name in a hat and pick your job" week to week.

Let me also clear up that Maryelizabeth was not released from G Rock. She left on her own due to personal reasons and we were sad to see her leave. She always was on the air before my Saturday shift doing the Breakfast Club and her and I were friends, and still remain so to this day. So please stop making assumptions that she was let go.

If people want to talk about what they think is good/bad about G Rock as a station, that's fine. This is an open forum to discuss things of that nature. But when you start making it PERSONAL, it's over the line. Unless you work in our building, you have NO IDEA what is happening within our company. So stop making assumptions of what is going on at the radio station. What you hear on the air is what is meant to be heard by the listeners. You want to comment about the music, the jocks, the promos...go nuts. All I'm asking is that the personal attacks and supposed "in the know" nonsense stop because you are taking the names of some hardworking people and slandering them unjustly...myself included.

It's very easy to forget that we ARE, in fact, HUMAN BEINGS. All of the "holier than thou" attitude by most posters on this board (I say MOST, not ALL) makes it sound like everything WE do is wrong, but everything THEY suggest is the right way.

Listen to the radio...don't overanalyze it. It's supposed to be fun. We come to work knowing there's a task at hand every day, but we're blessed to work in a business that allows us to be creative and have a fun time doing it. I still love what I do for a living. And while I can't speak on behalf of anyone else, I'm pretty sure that all of our staff loves what they do too or else they'd have left a long time ago.

For those who support G Rock, thank you. For those who have nothing better to do than complain about us (or any other radio station for that matter), well...you have to be LISTENING to complain right?

Thanks for your time,
Matt Knight
G Rock 106.3 / 106.5
Afternoon Drive 2pm-7pm

 

[hubcity]

This is what I was told - There were a handfull of people that wanted Mike Gavin out.

But when personal attacks that are made based on "reliable sources", then I have no problem defending myself on this forum.

How dare you cloud up this discussion with the facts!

 

[SoulCrusher]

Then you don't know the facts. Through some Googling, I found out that Mike Gavin was PD from the time Darrin Smith left to go to Sirius (early '04) till September of '06. It was in the last days of Darrin Smith that the station was spinning Santana and Norah Jones (not to mention Sugar Ray, Lifehouse, Matchbox 20, Creed, etc). It was after Gavin took over that the Franz's and Modest Mouse's started to "break through" as you say, and the station became more Alternative He was the PD through the G Rock merge with B 98.5, he brought Zanyor back to afternoons, added Matt Knight to nights (from B 98.5), and was there during the subsequent ratings spike. The station sound was very, very different when he left than it was when he took over. You can't dispute that.

I stand corrected. I thought Darrin Smith was on board when the station moved past its Modern AC period to become closer to an Alternative format. Thumbs up to Mike Gavin for overseeing the format that evolved into G Rock, thumbs down for the lack of '80s music and edgier rock on the playlist during his time with the station. They didn't even play much '80s (or '90s, for that matter) U2 during that time period, instead overplaying the lame "please love us" pop/rock of their last two albums (yes, I think both of their '00s albums are rubbish). Then again, that decision may not have been up to Gavin for all we know. Anyway, I do wish Gavin the best of luck in his future endeavors - there are some stations out there that could use his guidance.

Proof that we're hearing certain songs more often than we should be:

1:44pm The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes
6:10am The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes

That's a little excessive for a song that's a year old - don't you think? There's certain other songs that are nearly as old that have received the same type of excessive airplay, as I've mentioned before. This kind of repetition turns the more mature listeners away. They could be making room for the '80s acts that seldom ever receive airplay on the station (The Smiths, for one). Sadly, the '80s music they do play disappears in the evening and is replaced with an even more concentrated, "pound the hits and tired Gold tracks" approach with very little in the way of edgier rock, among which is the new Chevelle song which they are dayparting for whatever reason. If there's one change that I would like to see on G Rock more than any other, it's a less tired sound during the evenings. Play more edgier acts along with more '90s and '80s, rather than exclusively targeting the younger audience with hits of the last five years.

Today, we're seeing some more tracks that never received spins in the regular rotation. That deserves kudos:

2:30pm Depeche Mode Just Can't Get Enough
11:34am Squeeze Is That Love
10:43am Big Audio Dynamite (II) Rush
10:38am Blondie Hanging On The Telephone
10:06am Pearl Jam Crazy Mary

Finally, a new feature started on G Rock yesterday called the 5 O'Clock Shuffle, where listeners send lists of 5 songs in and Matt Knight plays one of them. This is very similar to a feature that B 98.5 once had. The only disappointing thing is that Matt picked a very safe list that included already overplayed songs by Stone Temple Pilots and The Shins, among others. Hopefully we will start to hear something unexpected during this time period instead. When you pick a list like that, it almost defeats the purpose of having a special feature.

 

[SoulCrusher]

A follow-up to my last post: Today's 5 O'Clock Shuffle was infinitely better than the one yesterday. It included songs by Peter Bjorn & John, Tool, and "Tahitian Moon" by Porno For Pyros. That is getting into the spirit of what this new feature should be about. This is a good new addition: I have to applaud G Rock for being more proactive in seeking listener input.

Maybe nights are starting to improve on G Rock:

10:37pm Sonic Youth - 100%
7:39pm Catherine Wheel - Judy Staring At The Sun
7:34pm Soundgarden - Outshined

Or, then again, maybe they aren't:

10:52pm Sum 41 - Pieces

It was definitely nice hearing Sonic Youth, but it was disappointing to have it followed shortly after by Mr. Avril Lavigne and his pseudo-punk boy band. Well, I guess you take the bad with the good. And slowly but surely we are starting to see more of the latter on G Rock - hopefully the progress will continue.

 

[mondoradio]

For those who have nothing better to do than complain about us (or any other radio station for that matter), well...you have to be LISTENING to complain right?

Well, to complain about a radio message board, you have to be reading it...right? Oh wait, I forgot, nobody in radio reads these boards. Silly me.

Just for the record, I have no inside knowledge of the workings of G Rock, nor did I make the accusations that there was behind the scenes "foul play". All I said was that if it was true (as written by aroundtheway), it sounds like quiet a soap opera. No matter how the changes came to be, their success or failure will be determined by the ratings. The results haven't been positive so far, but they've made more changes since the last book, so maybe they've shuffled the deck and come up wth an ace. We'll find out.

 

[krichardson]

I have just read Matt Knight's impassioned plea. KUDOS to Mr Knight for breaking down the radio barrier and posting sans anonimity. The 5 Oclock Shuffle is now my new favorite feature. Let's keep it positive. KUDOS all around!

 

[SoulCrusher]

I won't be doing this every day, but looking at today's playlist we once again have our share of surprises. The station sounds especially good during Terrie Carr's shift and I hope they can find a way to carry this momentum throughout the rest of the day. Today we had some good:

1:28pm The Alarm - The Stand
11:50am REM - South Central Rain
11:45am Oasis - Rock 'n' Roll Star
11:26am Wall Of Voodoo - Mexican Radio
11:22am Cracker - Euro-Trash Girl
10:49am U2 - Numb

... and then we had some bad.

2:43pm Evanescence - Sweet Sacrifice (two words: HOT AC!!!!!)
2:19pm Shinedown - I Dare You (a.k.a. Creed Jr. Are these guys Christian Rock?)
1:25pm Puddle Of Mud - She Hates Me (They should've hired these guys to play the Geico Cavemen)

Two years ago, the ratio would have been in the other direction (back when they played Nickelback and 3 Doors Down to death! The main reason I'm doing this is because I'm trying to draw the line as to what belongs on Alternative and what doesn't. I know for a fact that if FM 106.3 were around today, they wouldn't play the three acts that I marked that didn't belong. Evanescence are a band that has more in common with Christina Aguilera than any goth act out there - they belong on Hot AC, with all the other "why doesn't anybody love me?" singers. I know that Shinedown's "I Dare You" reached #8 on Modern Rock, but that was because of those Clear Channel pseudo-Alternatives in the South. They sound like a wholesome Christian Rock band, whether they considers themselves that or not. Anyway, there's a lot of songs that have charted higher that G Rock doesn't play. And Puddle Of Mudd are just total jock rockers. They're the kind of band whose members boast about how many "notches on the belt" they have and who can do a keg stand for the longest time. They have the collective IQ of an old worn-out boot.

Now that I've taken that off my chest, enough negativity...

I have just read Matt Knight's impassioned plea. KUDOS to Mr Knight for breaking down the radio barrier and posting sans anonimity. The 5 Oclock Shuffle is now my new favorite feature. Let's keep it positive. KUDOS all around!

I definitely concur with that. The initial purpose of this thread was about G Rock's sound, what everyone thought about it and what (if anything) can be done to improve it.

That said, I hope G Rock continues expanding the library, starts throwing more '80s and '90s acts and songs into the rotation, and tinkers with the sound a little. I find it disappointing that certain mooks receive airplay on the station while other more intelligent acts receive little to none. I would really like to know why bands like Tool and Rage Against The Machine are seldom played. They both broke on Alternative back when Active Rock was still playing Robert Plant and Bad Company. System Of A Down should also have a place. While some may label the act "nu metal", the nonconforming sound and bold, clever, sometimes flat-out bizarre lyrics certainly qualify them more than the generic clone rockers out there.

Probably the most important thing that G Rock needs is a special show on Saturday nights. FM 106.3 had tons of special programs at night, and even G Rock had Antisocial Club for a while. But since the show ended, it has been replaced by nothing. Saturday nights could use a show that continues along the lines of Antisocial Club (that is, very dialogue-intensive) or something that is more music-intensive - '80s, '90s, All Request, Reggae, Punk, Techno ... anything. Most other stations are doing something out of the ordinary on Saturday nights, so why aren't they? As far as ratings are concerned, anything would be an improvement over the status quo.

If G Rock continues to be more proactive in finding out what their audience wants to hear, their ratings will improve dramatically. If FM 106.3 could prosper for as long as they did with their measly signal, I know that the two FM G Rock can as well.

 

[PleasetoShore]

"steady as she goes"... twice in one day? OH MY GOD. let the heavens pour from the sky. cats are certainly sleeping with dogs... my watch just sprung it's inner works. i'll be heading off to church to pry for just a few more seconds until the fourth horseman comes a'gallopin' down the highway. phhpppt. ever heard of a RE-current?

 

[mjb1124]

As of today they're referring to themselves as "Jersey's Rock Alternative", a slight variation of their previous "Your Rock Alternative" slogan. I would say that at least the shoe fits this time, even if they still throw on the occasional "jock rock" song. I'm glad they're continuing to diversify their gold selections (I was really pleased when they played the Smashing Pumpkins' "I Am One" a few nights ago), and getting at least a little less apprehensive about playing harder tracks.

By the way, you can thank me for last Tuesday's shuffle. Unfortunately I didn't get to hear it on the air, but I'm still glad they spun it, and I think this is a great feature.

 

[SoulCrusher]

As of today they're referring to themselves as "Jersey's Rock Alternative", a slight variation of their previous "Your Rock Alternative" slogan. I would say that at least the shoe fits this time, even if they still throw on the occasional "jock rock" song. I'm glad they're continuing to diversify their gold selections (I was really pleased when they played the Smashing Pumpkins' "I Am One" a few nights ago), and getting at least a little less apprehensive about playing harder tracks.

By the way, you can thank me for last Tuesday's shuffle. Unfortunately I didn't get to hear it on the air, but I'm still glad they spun it, and I think this is a great feature.

The difference between this station and the G Rock that became a two-station broadcast in early 2005 is like night and day. While they're not perfect (but then again, what is?), they're infinitely better than the soccer mom baiting station that played Nickelback, 3 Doors Down and other generic arena rock acts ad nauseum back then. I was also very pleased about hearing "I Am One", which also proves they've come a long way in two years when the only Pumpkins you heard were the soft songs and mid-tempo stuff, like "Disarm" and "1979". I also remember when they only played about three Alice In Chains songs (again, the more subdued fare like "No Excuses" and "Heaven Beside You") and they have branched out a lot more here as well. Some of these changes seem like they were works in progress, and a lot seems to be Terrie's influence as well - they're playing a lot more '80s music throughout the day, which I'm in favor of as I imagine anyone who listened to FM 106.3 would be.

I did send them a Shuffle list on Friday that wasn't played, perhaps because I went a bit too obscure for them (it included The Smiths, Tool and Killing Joke). Instead they opted for a list that, while it was decent, did include a couple of songs that receive daily rotation. Here's hoping we start hearing more adventurous lists on the station like the one you sent in on Tuesday, mjb1124.

 

[mondoradio]

As a fan of the format, I agree that it's great that the station is mixing in more deep cuts during the day. But, let's not forget, from purely a radio ratings point of view, it was the early '05 version of the station that scored huge 12+ ratings and blew away every local station. While as a music fan, I enjoy hearing deeper, more adventerous playlists, from a radio point of view, it might not be the best course of action. Does a bigger playlist necessarily bring bigger ratings? I know that Soulcrusher will argue with me, but history shows that usually (not always, but usually) the opposite is true.

 

[mjb1124]

I did send them a Shuffle list on Friday that wasn't played, perhaps because I went a bit too obscure for them (it included The Smiths, Tool and Killing Joke). Instead they opted for a list that, while it was decent, did include a couple of songs that receive daily rotation. Here's hoping we start hearing more adventurous lists on the station like the one you sent in on Tuesday, mjb1124.

I did play it a little safe with my list, because I figured they wouldn't touch something that consisted completely of songs they wouldn't normally play.

 

[SoulCrusher]

I did play it a little safe with my list, because I figured they wouldn't touch something that consisted completely of songs they wouldn't normally play.

They actually played my list on Tuesday, which I approached with a similar mindset - songs that aren't played often, but that could feasibly receive spins because most should be familiar with most of the artists that were featured. I also threw in a newer act, Dropping Daylight, that I thought could use more exposure. I'm very happy with the addition of these new features, as it shows that Press are trying to be more proactive with their audience and finding ways to better serve them. This was the area that needed the most work, and I think we're going to see marked improvement when the next book comes around. Tonight they played Buffalo Tom, Love Spit Love and Jesus & Mary Chain (acts that even one year ago you only would have heard on a special feature), a sign that they're improving during the evenings as well.

As a fan of the format, I agree that it's great that the station is mixing in more deep cuts during the day. But, let's not forget, from purely a radio ratings point of view, it was the early '05 version of the station that scored huge 12+ ratings and blew away every local station. While as a music fan, I enjoy hearing deeper, more adventerous playlists, from a radio point of view, it might not be the best course of action. Does a bigger playlist necessarily bring bigger ratings? I know that Soulcrusher will argue with me, but history shows that usually (not always, but usually) the opposite is true.

To an extent you're right. However, I don't think it was the programming that played an integral part in the early success of G Rock. I would count the expanded presence (starting to serve Ocean County) and the new format (Alternative, albeit a watered-down version of it at the time) as the main factors that played in favor of G Rock. The ratings drop that occurred had everything to do with the station playing it too safe and becoming stale, playing so many of the same songs that had been run into the ground years ago, both on G Rock and elsewhere. This new approach should win over everyone except for the most die-hard trucker rock fans who think Nickelback and 3 Doors Down are the best bands ever, and it could even win over the biggest skeptics who think everything pales in comparison to FM 106.3. It may not have the free-form anything-goes sound that its predecessor had, but G Rock now sounds like a station that the big fans of the format can listen to and actually be surprised every so often. I'm listening more than I ever have since Press bought WHTG, that's for sure.

 

[SoulCrusher]

I just returned after spending a little over a week in Orlando. Totally different walk of life out there, and the same applies to radio. The market has no less than three (count em', THREE) stations that are at least part-time Alternative. How does this pertain to G Rock, you ask? While all three stations are very different musically, they all seem to be free of the ball and chain that holds G Rock down, the very thing that holds G Rock back from being a great station: the dependence of old played-out songs that already receive regular spins on your token Mainstream Rock or Hot AC station (see: the biggest hits by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, Green Day, etc.) and the recurrents and other tracks that now receive more spins on those same formats than Alternative (see: Stone Sour's "Through Glass", anything from Green Day's last album, Incubus' "Drive", etc.). Make no mistake: G Rock is still a good, solid station. I just think they would benefit from cutting the "soccer moms and daughters" demo loose and focusing their attention elsewhere. Now, let me cover the Orlando area stations briefly.

WJRR (Real Rock 101): Reports as Alternative, but is closer to an Active Rocker. Lots of edgier rock which no one in NYC, Philly or surrounding areas play, it helps to keep you alert on long drives. Only the occasional Classic Rock song is played, with 90% of the playlist coming from the '90s and '00s. Clear Channel operates it and it is one of the top performers in the market. WRAT should take notes - this is what they should sound like. Their current sound which is like a Hawk/G Rock shuffle has done nothing for them, so maybe change would be a good thing. Not if the stodgy suits at Greater Media are steering the ship, though.

WTKS (Real Radio 104.1): A Hot Talk/Alternative hybrid, also operated by Clear Channel and performing well in the books. The talk programming seems to be strong and topical, using a good amount of humor without going too overboard with shock radio tactics (they might have at one time - if I'm not mistaken, this used to be the home of the infamous "Hideout" show). The music is where they really shine - a really excellent mix of familiar and semi-obscure (they played Material Issue's "Kim The Waitress" one night!) that eschews the "rawk" that appears on too many Alternatives, G Rock included. I wish Free-FM sounded more like this.

WOCL (O Rock 105.9): CBS runs it and it has struggled the last couple of years. Sounds the closest to G Rock of the three stations, only they are unafraid to mix it up with some heavier acts like Bullet For My Valentine and a few more surprises.

More G Rock notes: With new special features, others go away. Apparently The Underground is no more, and that's a shame. When Incubus' "Anna Molly" and The Killers' "When You Were Young" are still considered "new" songs, it served as a good source to hear what G Rock wasn't already playing. Too bad. ... Apparently the new thing on Friday's G Rock Music Lab is to have "Best Of" Labs with the most popular songs during the week instead of the Retro Music Lab. I guess some people just don't have the same passion for the classic Alternative acts as others, which is what happens when you skew too much toward the "soccer moms and daughters" ... I noticed Press has their jocks selling the newer played-to-death songs over the classic tracks. They played Squeeze's "Another Nail In My Heart" followed by Papa Roach's "Forever" and guess which one received the sell?

It may take time, but the way for G Rock to excel is to move closer to the FM 106.3 sound. Listen to those tapes and find out what made them successful for so many years despite all the strikes against them. The station wasn't sold because it was a failure - it was sold because the Gades wanted out of the business. And the declining ratings? Chalk that up to a national periodic decling in the format's popularity - everyone is affected at one time or another, and this was the lean period for Alternative. Now it's successful again, and since the format doesn't seem to be a labor of love for the folks at Press (hence the safe non-Alternative sound WHTG has had over the years), they would be smart to relinquish control to those who will make it one. The listeners that have left will return. We're seeing some improvement, but G Rock is not where it could be just yet.

 

[tom]

Kim The Waitress was covered by Material Issue - the original (which WDOX.COM used to play also) was by Green Pajamas. http://kimthewaitress.com

 

[SoulCrusher]

I can say lots of good things about G Rock, and have. But one of the flaws that continues to plague them is repetition. As of 2:08 AM, they have now played Stone Sour's "Through Glass" FOUR times within a 24 hour period. First of all, it's typical that they would select safe soccer-mom fodder to give this amount of spins. Second, the whole song could be described as two irritatingly repetitive hooks accompanied by touchy-feely sensitive acoustic strumming reminiscent of the Everly Brothers at their most precious. Heck, the meaning of the song is lost on most people I know, who think it's about a guy who can't be with the one he loves. In that same period, combine the amount of times they played the entire catalogs of Tool, Morrissey and The Smiths - guess what? "Through Glass" - 4, the others - 0! One side of me wants to point out that Stone Sour has a new single out - the other side wants to point out that they shouldn't even be playing Stone Sour. I got news for you guys - "Through Glass" and Shinedown's "I Dare You" both could easily pass for Nickelback songs. I thought we all realized that this stuff belongs on the trucker rock and soccer mom stations and not Alternative. Guess not. At least throw in some more traditional Alternative acts to keep everything nice and balanced - after all, these are the listeners that went away because you were going too hard after the truckers, soccer moms and their daughters. Those people have other stations to listen to - it would be smart to target those that don't.

 

[SoulCrusher]

G Rock is doing something new - they're actually running an advertisement for Linkin Park's new single, which will be played next week. Great. I'm sure the little girls can't wait for this band to return and set the world on fire with their "dirty pop" sound. And you know why Linkin Park is also great. Chester. His dreamy eyes also make Linkin Park a fantastic, relevant band. That and the fact that they are a walking commercial for ProTools.

Speaking of boy bands: G Rock actually played two Backstreet Boys also-rans in a row today...

11:58pm Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue
11:55pm The All American Rejects - Swing, Swing

Time to give up on the little girls, guys - you'll be the better for it and more people will listen. No Alternative station that I know plays either of these acts any more. Besides, the girls that thought those bands were the bee's knees a few years ago have moved on to Fergie and Pussycat Dolls anyway.

How about playing, you know, Rage Against The Machine? If no one wanted to hear them, then why is there this huge demand for tickets for their upcoming show on the air? Maybe people actually, you know, like the band? No - let's play bands on the Hot AC and CHR charts instead! I don't get it. G Rock is still a good station but some changes still need to be made to bring back the Alternative audience. More currents (so you don't have to bump old Incubus and Stone Sour tracks 20+ times a week), more '80s (that's what people have been requesting, after all), and less annoying teen girl fodder. You know, true to the roots of the format.

And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[mondoradio]

And that's all I have to say about that.

Somehow I doubt that

I'll say one thing...as bland and poppy as you say G Rock is...if you, Soulcrusher, ever got a ratings diary, you would singlehandedly make G Rock the #1 station in Monmouth/Ocean.

 

[eatspaste]

and less annoying teen girl fodder.

But then what to the teen girls listen to?!