The sad state of Active Rock as a format

[Jay F]

Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses releasing its double album “Use Your Illusion.” My old friend, Rick Sopher, and I went to Turtle’s Records store in Baymeadows for a special midnight opening to buy it.

Guess what album was released the following week? Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” The ground-breaking grunge record would take a few months to erupt in popularity, but it’s amazing to me how music history shifted in the week between “Use Your Illusion” and “Nevermind.” The passing of the rock torch from metal to alternative occurred 20 years ago this week, although no one knew it at the time. And since rock is basically dead now, that was the last significant shift

From Hays Carlyon @ Florida Times-Union

I happened to be listening to a countdown show (not Casey Kasem's) when "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was played, before anyone had heard of Nirvana. The DJ said this was a groundbreaking song on the scale of "My Sharona" by The Knack. It meant the introduction of a whole new era in music. Those are my words. I don't remember his exact words, but they were something like that. It was an interesting and different song to say the least. Before the part where it gets really loud and angry, but even then it was a song that marked a new era indeed.

I loved that Nirvana song and album at the time. But so many of the grune bands that came after were stale sounding and unoriginal..I gradually lost interest in the entire genre.

Think of how much rock music changed from 1971-1991 with so much amazing music recorded in that time period. But post Nirvana has anything changed at all? Sonically does a 1996 rock song sound like a 2006 or 2011 rock song? It seems like it to me.

 

[upstate29651]

Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses releasing its double album “Use Your Illusion.” My old friend, Rick Sopher, and I went to Turtle’s Records store in Baymeadows for a special midnight opening to buy it.

Guess what album was released the following week? Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” The ground-breaking grunge record would take a few months to erupt in popularity, but it’s amazing to me how music history shifted in the week between “Use Your Illusion” and “Nevermind.” The passing of the rock torch from metal to alternative occurred 20 years ago this week, although no one knew it at the time. And since rock is basically dead now, that was the last significant shift

From Hays Carlyon @ Florida Times-Union

I don't know who this dude is, but GNR never was, never has been metal. They represented the last vestiges of the 80's hair bands, albeit with a slightly louder sound. Nirvana introduced us to grunge, and the pre & post Grunge bands actually introduced us to commercial alternative.

G

 

[faaradar]

Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses releasing its double album “Use Your Illusion.” My old friend, Rick Sopher, and I went to Turtle’s Records store in Baymeadows for a special midnight opening to buy it.

Guess what album was released the following week? Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” The ground-breaking grunge record would take a few months to erupt in popularity, but it’s amazing to me how music history shifted in the week between “Use Your Illusion” and “Nevermind.” The passing of the rock torch from metal to alternative occurred 20 years ago this week, although no one knew it at the time. And since rock is basically dead now, that was the last significant shift

From Hays Carlyon @ Florida Times-Union

I don't know who this dude is, but GNR never was, never has been metal. They represented the last vestiges of the 80's hair bands, albeit with a slightly louder sound. Nirvana introduced us to grunge, and the pre & post Grunge bands actually introduced us to commercial alternative.

G

I bought both of those CDs....honestly, can't stand to listen to either one now.

 

[RO77]

The problem is that there's not much activity in active rock.

Active Rock's problems are its overreliance on '90s grunge and classic hard rock music and the qualitative composition of its audience (ie too few female listeners, and too many male listeners with just a high school education).

While there have been several good band the last 10 years, name a mega-band that has dropped big radio singles consistently. There hasn't been many I can name.

 

[TheBigA]

While there have been several good band the last 10 years, name a mega-band that has dropped big radio singles consistently. There hasn't been many I can name.

And part of the problem is that the major labels dismantled their rock radio promotion teams. So the approach for labels isn't through radio. This is what the music industry looks like without unified radio support.

 

[TheRover]

I just want to hear exciting music, whether it was made last month, last year, or 40 years ago.

But the problem with older music, is that I cannot stand to hear the "hits" again. They've already been played, Now play something that is exciting.

I'm not that eclectic, but much of what I see on cable music channels, is garbage. Who knew there were so many empty souls that eat that go back to that slop trough to be fed again and again. ???

Just a cursory scan of all of the rock stations in the Dallas area this afternoon yields nothing but hits form the past. How utterly boring!

Take the same artists, in all cases, and you can find exciting music that is "not" one of those over-played hits for the Jr. high mentality of 13 year olds, and 40-50 year olds with same.

With terrestrial radio firmly committed to catering to ONLY the Lowest Common Denominator, and sticking to the Lowest, we will Never have ANY enlightenment in rock radio playlists.

Radio for Drunk or Stupid, or Both. And that is exactly who the Advertisers intend to influence, and nothing more.

Just a sad sickening state of affairs. May all of these radio stations go bankrupt, as they serve no purpose, except to advertisers, and I care not for them.

I guess all those FCC Public Hearings around the country a few years ago were just for "show".

 

[88.9 Miracle]

AMEN BROTHER!

 

[TheBigA]

May all of these radio stations go bankrupt, as they serve no purpose, except to advertisers, and I care not for them.

I guess all those FCC Public Hearings around the country a few years ago were just for "show".

The FCC can't do anything about the music radio plays. If they did, it would be government encroaching on first amendment rights.

For radio stations to serve advertisers, they need to appeal to lots of people. They do, which is why advertisers use radio.

The biggest problem with new music today is the music. Not radio. If musicians make good music, and promote it properly, it will get played. But there's been a long history of the record industry trying to bypass radio, making music that doesn't attract large audiences, and then complaining about lack of airplay. When was the last time a rock band visited a radio station? Invited staffers to one of their shows? Maybe offering some contesting? It's done in other formats, but not rock. It's the music, stupid! The music doesn't attract audiences to the radio stations, so the radio stations dump the format. Fix the music, and that will fix radio.

 

[88.9 Miracle]

May all of these radio stations go bankrupt, as they serve no purpose, except to advertisers, and I care not for them.

I guess all those FCC Public Hearings around the country a few years ago were just for "show".

The FCC can't do anything about the music radio plays. If they did, it would be government encroaching on first amendment rights.

For radio stations to serve advertisers, they need to appeal to lots of people. They do, which is why advertisers use radio.

The biggest problem with new music today is the music. Not radio. If musicians make good music, and promote it properly, it will get played. But there's been a long history of the record industry trying to bypass radio, making music that doesn't attract large audiences, and then complaining about lack of airplay. When was the last time a rock band visited a radio station? Invited staffers to one of their shows? Maybe offering some contesting? It's done in other formats, but not rock. It's the music, stupid! The music doesn't attract audiences to the radio stations, so the radio stations dump the format. Fix the music, and that will fix radio.

Like I always have said, yes the masses like the same old same old but the CORE IS SHRINKING every year because of the lack of innovation. The core is drifting away to other things that they are exposed to. The magic of Radio in the past has always been the new music. It keeps the interest and enhances music sales. The biggest problem with ROCK today IS the stations, in that THEY chose the formats they thought people would fall in love with and pushed the music they thought people would buy into. You are right that ROCK played on the radio today absolutely sucks. It is horrible.

We have bands visit us every single week. There IS tons of GREAT rock out there. It's called Melodic Rock/AOR. It never went away, only in the US. Tons of new music released every week. So much I can't stay on top of it. Frontiers Records are the masters of it. Played in Cincinnati on our 3 FM's and online at http://classxradio.com, we're doing what the people want us to do. Listen and you will see that there is still killer rock and roll being recorded by the masters of it and new entrants. This is not a plug for us but rather an education to readers that there is something better. I just wish Rock radio would embrace it.

 

[TheRover]

When was the last time a rock band visited a radio station?

When was the last time a radio PD dug deeper [himself] into an established artist's catalog, and found other exciting and inspiring music by that artist to play for the fans of that band that already listen to the station ? ? ?

It's not Rocket Science ....

You just have to have a Soul... :

 

[TheBigA]

When was the last time a radio PD dug deeper [himself] into an established artist's catalog, and found other exciting and inspiring music by that artist to play for the fans of that band that already listen to the station ? ? ?

Fans of that band already own all the music, the deep cuts, and the bootlegs. They don't need to hear them on the radio. They can create their own fan-centric radio stations.

Radio isn't for fans of specific bands. They will never get enough of their favorite band from a radio station. Radio is for generalists who enjoy music of a format. In fact, this is another reason why active rock as a format is in such a sad state. Because fans of bands only want to hear their favorite music, and not expose themselves to the broader range of music beyond their own specific taste.

Meantime, I'm sure PDs of these stations listen to deep cuts on their own time, in their own home, from their own personal collection. Like most people do.

 

[88.9 Miracle]

When was the last time a rock band visited a radio station?

When was the last time a radio PD dug deeper [himself] into an established artist's catalog, and found other exciting and inspiring music by that artist to play for the fans of that band that already listen to the station ? ? ?

It's not Rocket Science ....

You just have to have a Soul... :

I've been doing it for 11 years. It's an on-going job that, I think, will never end. I love doing it, bringing good music to listeners.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses releasing its double album “Use Your Illusion.” My old friend, Rick Sopher, and I went to Turtle’s Records store in Baymeadows for a special midnight opening to buy it.

Guess what album was released the following week? Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” The ground-breaking grunge record would take a few months to erupt in popularity, but it’s amazing to me how music history shifted in the week between “Use Your Illusion” and “Nevermind.” The passing of the rock torch from metal to alternative occurred 20 years ago this week, although no one knew it at the time. And since rock is basically dead now, that was the last significant shift

From Hays Carlyon @ Florida Times-Union

I don't know who this dude is, but GNR never was, never has been metal. They represented the last vestiges of the 80's hair bands, albeit with a slightly louder sound. Nirvana introduced us to grunge, and the pre & post Grunge bands actually introduced us to commercial alternative.

G

"Welcome to the Jungle" and "Paradise City" aren't metal?

 

[TheRover]

When was the last time a radio PD dug deeper [himself] into an established artist's catalog, and found other exciting and inspiring music by that artist to play for the fans of that band that already listen to the station ? ? ?

Fans of that band already own all the music, the deep cuts, and the bootlegs. They don't need to hear them on the radio.

What an Amazing Judgement ! !

I TOTALLY Disagree with that judgement.

That is precisely what is missing from today's radio.

And the tragedy is, that we have more stations than ever, but the rock playlists is as narrow as ever.

Through The Looking Glass.....

Where Black is White, and Up is Down..

 

[TheBigA]

What an Amazing Judgement ! !

I TOTALLY Disagree with that judgement.

That is precisely what is missing from today's radio.

And the tragedy is, that we have more stations than ever, but the rock playlists is as narrow as ever.

First of all, this is not a "judgement." It's a fact. Stations have tried to broaden playlists, and they've found that they don't attract or retain listeners. What attracts audience is playing the hits. The most recent example was WRXP, and they tightened their playlist just before their sale, and saw their best book since they flipped to rock.

There are a lot of things "missing from radio." Radio drama, beautiful music, dixieland, and other formats are almost non-existant. The goal isn't to fill holes, but provide formats that attract the largest audience. There are non-commercial stations that don't need to attract audience for advertising. They can play larger playlists, and stations like WFUV do.

 

[sdh483]

What an Amazing Judgement ! !

I TOTALLY Disagree with that judgement.

That is precisely what is missing from today's radio.

And the tragedy is, that we have more stations than ever, but the rock playlists is as narrow as ever.

First of all, this is not a "judgement." It's a fact. Stations have tried to broaden playlists, and they've found that they don't attract or retain listeners. What attracts audience is playing the hits. The most recent example was WRXP, and they tightened their playlist just before their sale, and saw their best book since they flipped to rock.

There are a lot of things "missing from radio." Radio drama, beautiful music, dixieland, and other formats are almost non-existant. The goal isn't to fill holes, but provide formats that attract the largest audience. There are non-commercial stations that don't need to attract audience for advertising. They can play larger playlists, and stations like WFUV do.

This is why no one listens to the radio anymore. This is why Pandora's revenue is going up. Clear Channel was smart enough to launch an internet radio sit to compete with Pandora because they know t-radio is on its way out the door.

 

[TheBigA]

This is why no one listens to the radio anymore.

No one? You call 230 million people "no one?" Even with all the competition and other media, there's still nothing that creates the impact or sells records like OTA radio. It's still the most important outlet for artists if they want to sell records or promote concerts. Those who can't get it take what they can get. But the statistics don't lie.

 

[Snarl]

This is why no one listens to the radio anymore. This is why Pandora's revenue is going up. Clear Channel was smart enough to launch an internet radio sit to compete with Pandora because they know t-radio is on its way out the door.

Actually, my thought on why everyone is fleeing to the iPods, Pandora, Slacker, etc. is because all the damn radio stations today are automated and without any soul. If someone is going to listen to music without a DJ, why -wouldn't- they choose one of the many non-conventional options - that way they wouldn't have to endure inundation by hundreds of mindless advertisements for male enhancement products, debt consolidation, or any number of other products aimed at morons with money.

Everyone is afraid to offend, afraid to speak their mind, afraid of losing money. Sheesh. What a pansy-ass group of greedy tards today's mainstream radio has become.

Me? I am chasing a lifelong dream and building a small class-A rock station in a small town. I have no intention of getting rich, becoming the next Crap Channel, or ever expanding beyond that tiny class-A... but what I do intend to do is have live DJs with enormous control over their show and complete freedom of expression and opinion. I will feature local and unsigned indy bands, play anything BUT the ten overplayed hits on other stations, and be very involved in local events.

I have always loved radio and the magic it has had to make the listener feel part of something bigger than themselves by doing nothing more than tuning in. And damn it, before I die, I'm going to give one last try to give folks a real reason to listen to radio... to truly choose radio over other mediums to fill their free time. That is my goal. We should be built and on the air by next summer. .. so we'll see if my theories are correct - or I end up in a cardboard box poorhouse.

 

[88.9 Miracle]

My best to you, snarl. I did the same thing. I really don't care about ratings (though it would be nice to keep growing). I only care about the audience that we have and those that find us and love us. THAT'S what radio is supposed to be. It's not always about money! It's about people and their lives.

This is why no one listens to the radio anymore. This is why Pandora's revenue is going up. Clear Channel was smart enough to launch an internet radio sit to compete with Pandora because they know t-radio is on its way out the door.

Actually, my thought on why everyone is fleeing to the iPods, Pandora, Slacker, etc. is because all the damn radio stations today are automated and without any soul. If someone is going to listen to music without a DJ, why -wouldn't- they choose one of the many non-conventional options - that way they wouldn't have to endure inundation by hundreds of mindless advertisements for male enhancement products, debt consolidation, or any number of other products aimed at morons with money.

Everyone is afraid to offend, afraid to speak their mind, afraid of losing money. Sheesh. What a pansy-ass group of greedy tards today's mainstream radio has become.

Me? I am chasing a lifelong dream and building a small class-A rock station in a small town. I have no intention of getting rich, becoming the next Crap Channel, or ever expanding beyond that tiny class-A... but what I do intend to do is have live DJs with enormous control over their show and complete freedom of expression and opinion. I will feature local and unsigned indy bands, play anything BUT the ten overplayed hits on other stations, and be very involved in local events.

I have always loved radio and the magic it has had to make the listener feel part of something bigger than themselves by doing nothing more than tuning in. And damn it, before I die, I'm going to give one last try to give folks a real reason to listen to radio... to truly choose radio over other mediums to fill their free time. That is my goal. We should be built and on the air by next summer. .. so we'll see if my theories are correct - or I end up in a cardboard box poorhouse.

 

[CTListener]

This is why no one listens to the radio anymore.

No one? You call 230 million people "no one?" Even with all the competition and other media, there's still nothing that creates the impact or sells records like OTA radio. It's still the most important outlet for artists if they want to sell records or promote concerts. Those who can't get it take what they can get. But the statistics don't lie.

And it's competing with Pandora etc. by minimalizing or eliminating the DJs. Mainstream hits and artists are by far the most downloaded and listened-to on all of those alternatives to radio. Those statistics don't lie either. Unfamiliar and obscure music is still a tune-out on radio and it's also not what's driving the alternatives' cash flow. The alternatives can afford to cater to niche tastes as long as the mainstream sheep keep listening and buying. Radio tries catering to the niches and the sheep flee to more familiar pastures.