WDHA / WRAT / WMMR

[SoulCrusher]

Wasn't it you who said that WRAT wasn't playing Korn or Flyleaf or anyone else on their sponsored show... but NOW, you say that the only reason that they DO play them is because they're sponsoring a show. So which is it????

The reason for that assessment comes from the small amount of currents they play, and the fact that the Flyleaf song isn't exactly setting the Active Rock Charts on fire. I'm glad they're playing it, but I don't know if they would be playing it if not for the concert. There are songs in the Active Rock Top 20 (or just outside of it) that WRAT has yet to touch, so take that whatever way you will. I'm just waiting for them to give Dir en Grey a few spins - I'm not holding my breath, though.

You've apparently got your finger on what music to play to get ratings... so, have at it. I'll guarantee you one thing, it won't be the same in the next ratings book.

It's a suggestion. An opportunity to target an audience that is not being served - granted, it's a niche audience, but it's one that fits in on WRAT better than any other station. If the "token Greater Media rocker" formula isn't working, it's time to add new ingredients.

Smells like teen spirit TEN TIMES on GROCK in the last week - are you high? The actual number is 4.

Where do you get this number from? I've heard it every day this week already, and I'm certainly not sitting around waiting to hear it, either.

Anyway, you take this song and the 100 or so most overplayed tracks on the Alternative format, 30 odd Currents, a bunch of Recurrents, and maybe a handful of surprising tracks, and you have G Rock Radio. Those 100 library tracks I just referred to - even if they only get 7 spins or less a week (I'm sure many get more than that), that takes up a ton of time and leaves little room for a break from the status quo. Unless you have never heard a Modern Rock station before G Rock Radio signed on, the chances are pretty good that you're sick of the majority of these 100 library tracks. As I've said before, if the format becomes too safe and predictable, listeners will tune out. You have to know your format's audience - slamming the hits endlessly may work for the CHR audience, but not on Alternative. Granted, it's a different type of repetition (playing the Currents less often and still giving heavy spins to certain library cuts), but it's repetition nevertheless.

I just think that since G Rock Radio has secured a spot in the Top 5 in overall ratings, they should give some of the burned-out hits a rest and surprise us by digging deeper and broadening the playlist a bit. They have an amazing Modern Rock library that is unfortunately going to waste since they're only using a very small percentage of it.

 

[BigBoy41]

FYI, There is no comparison between GROCK and Rat- one sounds pro- one doesn't. GROck can't play EVERYTHING but they are the shores cutting edge radio station- no doubt about it. and they are becoming more of a local part of the community. RAT needs changes. They have been the same since day one. someone needs to shake it up. maybe then they will have an upswing. Obviously what they are doing isn't working. I have never seen one radio station stay the same for so long...

 

[SoulCrusher]

FYI, There is no comparison between GROCK and Rat- one sounds pro- one doesn't. GROck can't play EVERYTHING but they are the shores cutting edge radio station- no doubt about it. and they are becoming more of a local part of the community.

G Rock does show more focus with what they play, and the presentation is more polished. And by the Jersey Shore's safe, mild standards, I suppose we could call them cutting edge. No, we're not looking for them to play everything, but they can play more - as WJSE (102.7 The Ace) proves, G Rock doesn't even play the deepest variety of new music in the state right now. They have been faster with the adds on the acts I mentioned, and play the heavier bands that G won't touch, for starters. The whole "The Ace is Active and G Rock is Alternative" statement doesn't hold any water, as the heavier bands I am referring to are on the Modern Rock charts as well. I think G Rock isn't playing these bands because at the end of the day, it's a bunch of older men in suits that really call the shots that say "That Underoath racket hurts my ears! Let's play stuff that can fit in on the AC charts just as well as Alternative instead, like those nice boys Death Cab For Cutie!".

I'm not hating on G Rock, but I really think someone needs to show some courage and play some more edgier bands. Really, there are enough stations competing for the Female audience in this area, so I don't understand why G Rock feels the need to go out of their way to court them with all this sleepy soft rock they've been playing. They also play plenty of good stuff as well, but most other Modern Rockers don't make us sit through all this mush to get to it. Also, G Rock needs to cut back on the really overplayed stuff - if I don't hear Green Day or Fall Out Boy for the next 50 years, it will be too soon.

RAT needs changes. They have been the same since day one. someone needs to shake it up. maybe then they will have an upswing. Obviously what they are doing isn't working. I have never seen one radio station stay the same for so long...

I agree that WRAT hasn't evolved in recent years and should change - if G Rock doesn't pick up the some heavier acts to balance out the playlist, The Rat definitely should - I would listen more often if they did. They were, however, fairly edgy when they signed on. I was surprised at some of the music they were playing during their first couple of years - I have them to thank for introducing me to now defunct L.A. space-rockers Failure, and they jumped on Sevendust pretty quickly when their first album came out. However, now they sound just like any other Greater Media rock station. I hope this company comes to their senses and gives Carl and Robyn some more control.

WRAT should definitely emphasis the heavier side of the classic rock they play (read: How about less Billy Squier and Hair Metal?) and start playing more Tool, Rage Againt The Machine, Korn, Deftones, Slipknot, etc. And for Pete's sake, would playing about 30 or 40 currents kill you? I've seen lots of other Active Rockers do it, so why not WRAT?

 

[SoulCrusher]

More repetition on The Rat. I had a feeling this song was going to get overplayed the first time I heard it, but twice over the course of maybe 3 or 4 hours, WRAT played Stone Sour's "Through Glass".

It seems to me that either these radio station thinks the listener is dumb, or has a very short attention span. WRAT really needs to do something with their playlist. WZBH (Georgetown, DE - http://www.wzbhrocks.com ) is an exciting Active Rock station with lots of currents, a deep library and excellent personalities, which is what every station (other than CHR) should have. I have to add that WZBH gets incredible ratings and easily beats its similar competition. I'll give WRAT a thumbs up for the personalities (far better than most of the personalities at other Greater Media rockers), but the music needs serious work. Sadly, it's far closer in sound to WMMR, WZXL (south NJ) and WBAB (Long Island) than WZBH, and there's no need for that in a market filled with safe radio.

For self-preservation purposes, change would be a good thing for WRAT. The same songs played ad nauseum - inevitably people are going to tire of this timid formula. When will the time come when someone shakes the Monmouth/Ocean radio landscape forever? I eagerly anticipate that day, but I won't hold my breath waiting for it.

 

[Beejus]

More repetition on The Rat. I had a feeling this song was going to get overplayed the first time I heard it, but twice over the course of maybe 3 or 4 hours, WRAT played Stone Sour's "Through Glass".

It seems to me that either these radio station thinks the listener is dumb, or has a very short attention span. WRAT really needs to do something with their playlist. WZBH (Georgetown, DE - http://www.wzbhrocks.com ) is an exciting Active Rock station with lots of currents, a deep library and excellent personalities, which is what every station (other than CHR) should have. I have to add that WZBH gets incredible ratings and easily beats its similar competition. I'll give WRAT a thumbs up for the personalities (far better than most of the personalities at other Greater Media rockers), but the music needs serious work. Sadly, it's far closer in sound to WMMR, WZXL (south NJ) and WBAB (Long Island) than WZBH, and there's no need for that in a market filled with safe radio.

For self-preservation purposes, change would be a good thing for WRAT. The same songs played ad nauseum - inevitably people are going to tire of this timid formula. When will the time come when someone shakes the Monmouth/Ocean radio landscape forever? I eagerly anticipate that day, but I won't hold my breath waiting for it.

You complain about the repition on WRAT... did you ever stop to think about the repition of your bitching about it? You do it pretty much as often as Stone Sour plays.

We get it already.

 

[SoulCrusher]

You complain about the repition on WRAT... did you ever stop to think about the repition of your bitching about it? You do it pretty much as often as Stone Sour plays.

We get it already.

Well, I guess I was spoiled by the stations I heard elsewhere around the country that actually program for the listeners first rather than putting the advertisers first like all the stations in Monmouth/Ocean. The criticism is justified, even if it is repetitious. Besides, things seem to be a little quiet around here anyway. Maybe, one way or another, I'll reach the right people and we can make a difference. Probably unlikely, but I won't let that stop me.

Well, there are still worse markets around the country - NYC and Philly, for starters. I suppose it's better to have very safe rock stations than none at all.

 

[Beejus]

Besides, things seem to be a little quiet around here anyway. Maybe, one way or another, I'll reach the right people and we can make a difference. Probably unlikely, but I won't let that stop me.

We? Who is the WE you are talking about?

You know what's a quicker way of reaching the right people? Picking up a phone and calling the office headquarters. Or picking up a pen and writing a letter, or spending a few minutes and typing out an e-mail.

I can assure you, the "right people" may see these posts... but only laugh. That's it.

 

[SoulCrusher]

We? Who is the WE you are talking about?

You know what's a quicker way of reaching the right people? Picking up a phone and calling the office headquarters. Or picking up a pen and writing a letter, or spending a few minutes and typing out an e-mail.

I can assure you, the "right people" may see these posts... but only laugh. That's it.

We, as in, the other people who find radio around here to be as bland as I do. I know they're out there - I've got a bunch of friends that feel that way, and I have seen people on radio boards to this effect as well.

Regarding WRAT: As I type this, they are now playing Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)", which could be a new low point for them. This is not rock music, this is adult contemporary tripe that belongs on the stations that play James Blunt and Kelly Clarkson. It disappoints me to see that this is what WRAT has come to under its bland, play-it-safe owners Greater Media. This station should be on the cutting edge, but they play it safe by playing Lite-FM drivel and calling it rock music. Come on guys - I know you can do much better than that!

 

[Beejus]

Regarding WRAT: As I type this, they are now playing Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)", which could be a new low point for them. This is not rock music, this is adult contemporary tripe that belongs on the stations that play James Blunt and Kelly Clarkson. It disappoints me to see that this is what WRAT has come to under its bland, play-it-safe owners Greater Media. This station should be on the cutting edge, but they play it safe by playing Lite-FM drivel and calling it rock music. Come on guys - I know you can do much better than that!

Green Day- Time of Your Life

80 Spins this week at Active Rock
48 at Mainstream Rock
216 at Alternative.

It's a rock staple. Moving on.

WRAT-

1- Audioslave- Original Fire
2- Stone Sour- Through Glass
3- Three Days Grace- Animal I Have Become
4- Breaking Benjamin- The Diary of Jane
5- Korn- Coming Undone
6- Godsmack- Shine Down
7- Disturbed- Land of Confusion
8- Hinder- Lips of an Angel
9- Tom Petty- Saving Grace
10- Red Hot Chili Peppers- Snow (Hey Oh)

WZBH-
1- Audioslave- Original Fire
2- Godsmack- Shine Down
3- Three Days Grace- Animal I Have Become
4- Stone Sour- Through Glass
5- Breaking Benjamin- Diary of Jane
6- 30 Seconds to Mars- The Kill
7- Disturbed- Land of Confusion
8- Evanescence- Call Me When You're Sober
9- Bullet for My Valentine- Tears Don't Fall
10- Tool- The Pot

Active Rock Top 10:

1- Stone Sour- Through Glass
2- Breaking Benjamin- The Diary of Jane
3- Three Days Grace- The Animal I've Become
4- Audioslave- Original Fire
5- Disturbed- Land of Confusion
6- Hinder- Lips of an Angel
7- Godsmack- Shine Down
8- Shinedown- Heroes
9- 30 Seconds to Mars- The Kill
10- Papa Roach- To Be Loved


Looking at this, your "exciting" WZBH's playlist nearly matches the "safe" playlist of WRAT, which BOTH nearly equal up to the Top 10 of the nation. I don't have spin totals, and I don't have a look at their gold libraries to compare those, just the top 10s. If it's what the people want to hear, then the stations will play it.

And... JUST by judging from the Top 10... I'd say WRAT is more innovative because they are playing a non-single from RHCP. This is JUST by looking at the Top 10.

 

[SoulCrusher]

Green Day- Time of Your Life

80 Spins this week at Active Rock
48 at Mainstream Rock
216 at Alternative.

It's a rock staple.

I'd be willing to bet that it's WRAT and safe rockers like WMMR, WZXL and WBAB that gave it spins. It's the kind of song that, when it comes on, I have to make sure I have some Red Bull or something really intense in the CD player to keep myself from nodding off.

WRAT-

1- Audioslave- Original Fire
2- Stone Sour- Through Glass
3- Three Days Grace- Animal I Have Become
4- Breaking Benjamin- The Diary of Jane
5- Korn- Coming Undone
6- Godsmack- Shine Down
7- Disturbed- Land of Confusion
8- Hinder- Lips of an Angel
9- Tom Petty- Saving Grace
10- Red Hot Chili Peppers- Snow (Hey Oh)

WZBH-
1- Audioslave- Original Fire
2- Godsmack- Shine Down
3- Three Days Grace- Animal I Have Become
4- Stone Sour- Through Glass
5- Breaking Benjamin- Diary of Jane
6- 30 Seconds to Mars- The Kill
7- Disturbed- Land of Confusion
8- Evanescence- Call Me When You're Sober
9- Bullet for My Valentine- Tears Don't Fall
10- Tool- The Pot

Active Rock Top 10:

1- Stone Sour- Through Glass
2- Breaking Benjamin- The Diary of Jane
3- Three Days Grace- The Animal I've Become
4- Audioslave- Original Fire
5- Disturbed- Land of Confusion
6- Hinder- Lips of an Angel
7- Godsmack- Shine Down
8- Shinedown- Heroes
9- 30 Seconds to Mars- The Kill
10- Papa Roach- To Be Loved


Looking at this, your "exciting" WZBH's playlist nearly matches the "safe" playlist of WRAT, which BOTH nearly equal up to the Top 10 of the nation. I don't have spin totals, and I don't have a look at their gold libraries to compare those, just the top 10s. If it's what the people want to hear, then the stations will play it.

And... JUST by judging from the Top 10... I'd say WRAT is more innovative because they are playing a non-single from RHCP. This is JUST by looking at the Top 10.

Similarities abound, but only on the surface. WZBH is doing themselves a disservice by only displaying a fraction of their playlist - roughly 40-50 odd Currents to WRAT's 15-20. Since I was in Wildwood the other day where 93.5 The Beach comes in loud and clear, I can vouch for this - great personalities, a nice deep selection of Currents and Gold, and cojones ... the components that every good rocker should have.

WZBH is playing Bullet For My Valentine, which WRAT won't play because "oh nooooooo, screaming, it's so scary - help meeeeeee!". Real edgy rocker, that WRAT. They're also not playing Tool, which I really don't understand.

Meanwhile, exclusive to WRAT is a Tom Petty track that is a blatant rip-off of ZZ Top's "La Grange". No doubt that Tom's a legend, but you would think he could come up with better than that. Then there's an album track from RHCP - really not that big a deal considering they're the biggest band in the world right now. Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've been surprised by anything I heard on The Rat.

I just don't understand why there isn't an edgier station around here. No one around here plays the harder music on the Rock charts, and they completely ignore bands like Rage Against The Machine, Slipknot, System Of A Down, Marilyn Manson, and other Platinum sellers, while acts like Korn, Tool, Deftones and many others are under-represented. Both of the rock stations in Monmouth/Ocean seem to target either older or Female demos, and Males under the age of 50 are left with no commercial FMs that target them. It really surprises me that everyone has ignored this blatant hole in the market (same goes for Philly and NYC). The 1996 Telecommunications Act must be repealed. Every industry needs competition in order to succeed and put out a quality product - when you have only 3 companies running every commercial FM in the market, that's a problem. Something has to change.

 

[flashpan]

Meanwhile, exclusive to WRAT is a Tom Petty track that is a blatant rip-off of ZZ Top's "La Grange".

Nothing for nothing, they all copied off of John Lee Hooker's One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer.

Also, how come nobody's mentioning WBJB in these posts? The are totally rock and alternative.