WFNX goes classic rock

[Watt]

Well, sorta.

2:55pm today they played the Rolling Stones' "Bitch", and 6:55pm today they played "I Can't Explain" by The Who. Granted, both of those songs are more "punk rock" than most of their playlist, and 'FNX artists like Jet, Kings of Leon, and White Stripes (among many others) owe a debt to these classic bands, I think they should stick to new music or classic alternative. Then again, if the Who and the Stones are taking the place of Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers or Green Day in the 'FNX rotation, I'm OK with that.

 

[Garrett]

So what you are saying is, they've gone AAA?

 

[radiojomo]

You're kidding me right? The station still sounds and feels like alternative. They're just adding in some recurrents, that's all.

 

[Signpost]

i'm all for them mixing it up.

 

[Neanderpaul]

Quick check of Mondays log...some songs seem out-of-place. Most notably:

Living Colour - Cult Of Personality

Never been alternative.

Overall, the station looks targeted properly.

 

[DToTheJ]

I believe at this point, they should adopt the positioner "Boston's Rock Experience" and pattern themselves after New York's WRXP. ;D

 

[Brooklyndon]

The sixties stuff totally has a place on Modern rock radio, the stuff from roughly '67-69 anyway. I'd like to see "Dig a Pony" or "Helter Skelter" thrown in the mix. They better stay away from anything after '70 though. As far as this music getting played on WFNX though, I'll believe it when i hear it.

 

[JoshuaC]

FNX has always been playing some classic rock/alternative music from the 70s - Particularly during Julie Kramer's Leftover Lunch show but often has been scattered throughout other dayparts in varying degrees of regularity. Mostly Late 70's acts from the early Punk era... a lot of David Bowie, Iggie Pop, The Sex Pistols, etc... A lot of modern "alternative" owes a debt of gratitude to those acts (as some earlier posts mentioned).

Acts like The Rolling Stones and The Who really defined that swagger and passion that would eventually give birth to Punk Rock. The late 60's saw a lot of experimentation that could still be very easily qualified as "Alternative." I remember Max Tolkoff describing how FNX even played some of what we would now consider early Progressive Rock in the very early days of FNX (though more a necessity than a choice at the time).

I'm not surprised they are peppering in a few of those acts... especially considering the renaissance The Who is experiencing in recent years on Television Shows and Commercials. You can't walk through a production house nowadays without hear "Won't Get Fooled Again" blaring from somewhere. Hell... you could probably even get by dropping some old country or blues in (particularly songs of a "darker" nature) and still keep the essential feel of an alternative station.

 

[oldface]

At 10:30 this morning they played "All Day and All of the Night" by the Kinks.

 

[MoLarryMoLarry]

Quick check of Mondays log...some songs seem out-of-place. Most notably:

Living Colour - Cult Of Personality

Never been alternative.

Untrue. When rock stations across the country would not play Living Colour, it was because they WERE alternative. As MD of FNX back in the day, we had no problem debuting bands like Living Colour , 24-7 Spyz and Fishbone when the so-called rock radio industry wouldn't touch them. In fact, the first time people even heard LC songs like "Cult of Personality", "Glamour Boys", "Love rears its ugly head", "Time's Up", "Pride", "Elvis is Dead" it was because stations like WFNX or WBCN played them first and then, nationally, the band started popping up on Modern Rock charts. When the band visited the station in 91 or 92, they openly thanked us for taking the lead and giving them airplay when rock radio in general wouldn't. The fact that Living Colour has won mainstream rock awards in the late 80's is just further proof that awards are as meaningless as the people who vote for them (re: Jethro Tull, Heavy Metal Band of the Year).

Good for FNX for spicing it up a little. And nice to see that they finally understand that its not about the music label-driven alternative format, it's about the complete genre of the alternative generation itself.

Now if they'll just play James Brown between the Beasties and 311 then they'll have something.

 

[DToTheJ]

Acts like The Rolling Stones and The Who really defined that swagger and passion that would eventually give birth to Punk Rock. The late 60's saw a lot of experimentation that could still be very easily qualified as "Alternative." I remember Max Tolkoff describing how FNX even played some of what we would now consider early Progressive Rock in the very early days of FNX (though more a necessity than a choice at the time).

I'm not surprised they are peppering in a few of those acts... especially considering the renaissance The Who is experiencing in recent years on Television Shows and Commercials. You can't walk through a production house nowadays without hear "Won't Get Fooled Again" blaring from somewhere. Hell... you could probably even get by dropping some old country or blues in (particularly songs of a "darker" nature) and still keep the essential feel of an alternative station.

The Who is in so many commercials these days, one may wish to tag three more letters - R-E-S - to the end of their name...

 

[Neanderpaul]

Quick check of Mondays log...some songs seem out-of-place. Most notably:

Living Colour - Cult Of Personality

Never been alternative.

Untrue. When rock stations across the country would not play Living Colour, it was because they WERE alternative. As MD of FNX back in the day, we had no problem debuting bands like Living Colour , 24-7 Spyz and Fishbone when the so-called rock radio industry wouldn't touch them.

And therein lies something extremely telling. First off...Living Colour are different than Fishbone and 24-7 Spyz in that LC's first real "mass" exposure were via club airplay at places like Narcissus, The Cathouse, Hammerjacks & L'Amours during "hair band nights." Those crowds embraced both LC & Beastie Boys before they ever got radio airplay. It was quite a shock to most when the Beasties turned out to be hip-hop at the time. Add the fact that Mick Jagger was shopping their demo and is indrectly responsible for their signing at Epic, and they weren't "alternative"

I was at Framingham State at the time, and spent considerable time listening to FNX. I don't recall ever hearing Living Colour on the station. Doesn't mean it didn't happen. But in 1988, Living Colour's texture was completely incompatible with what was happening on Alternative radio. I highly doubt they were embraced.

In fact, the first time people even heard LC songs like "Cult of Personality", "Glamour Boys", "Love rears its ugly head", "Time's Up", "Pride", "Elvis is Dead" it was because stations like WFNX or WBCN played them first and then, nationally, the band started popping up on Modern Rock charts.

With all due respect, your recollection is a bit skewed. I can tell you for certain that Living Colour's first "breakthrough" happened in the wee hours of Sunday morning, during MTV's "Headbanger's Ball" when they played the video for "Middle Man" which was their first "official" single/video. The song wasn't deemed "single worthy" and the "Cult Of Personality" video (shot during the same session) was quickly assembled and released. They then played third on the bill for The Rolling Stones "Steel Wheels" tour with an up n' coming band called Guns N' Roses in 1988.

Again...nothing "alternative" about that at all.

When the band visited the station in 91 or 92, they openly thanked us for taking the lead and giving them airplay when rock radio in general wouldn't. The fact that Living Colour has won mainstream rock awards in the late 80's is just further proof that awards are as meaningless as the people who vote for them (re: Jethro Tull, Heavy Metal Band of the Year).

Well, that's nice of them to say, but the fact is they were played at Narcissus and embraced by the "metal kids" first. And, they were presented to the American masses by the Rolling Stones. WFNX wasn't there first. Nice story. But I respectfully refute your assertion with a few documented examples of why LC have never been alternative.

Good for FNX for spicing it up a little. And nice to see that they finally understand that its not about the music label-driven alternative format, it's about the complete genre of the alternative generation itself.

I agree. I think radio as a whole would be greatly served by embracing the desires of the audience and stop following the record company/chart-driven formula.

Now if they'll just play James Brown between the Beasties and 311 then they'll have something.

I thinkthe embracing of the Kinks, the Who, MC5 etc. are all incredibly "alternative" and do a great service in showing where Green Day et al have drawn their inspiration from.

 

[Neanderpaul]

Sorry for the double post...bad connection

 

[WBIMDJ]

FNX is mixing it up QUITE good nowadays...Heard Suicidal Tendencies, Big Audio Dynamite, and The Smiths this afternoon amongst the new Green Day, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Death Cab for Cutie. Glad to hear they are mixing it up with some old stuff..

 

[JimmyJames]

Shades of Rev 105 in the Twin Cities. I've always felt a little garage rock/classic rock and even old soul music wouldn't at all be out of place with the spirit of true alternative radio. Beck and Prince, for example? There's all sorts of great segues that could be done with this concept.

 

[MoLarryMoLarry]

I thinkthe embracing of the Kinks, the Who, MC5 etc. are all incredibly "alternative" and do a great service in showing where Green Day et al have drawn their inspiration from.







[/quote]

Paul - thanks for the response. First intelligent conversation I've ever had in the eight years of posting on this site. The Living Colour debate will always go on and I look forward to your insight in the matter. Perhaps the two of us will enlighten a few with our thoughts and experiences.

First, let me clarify something. The band did not come to us and thank us for being first to ever play them. They came to us because they realized that at that time, FNX was a leading alternative station in the country, and that other stations would read our playlist and follow. that's they way commercial alternative radio formed back then. a format filled plenty of ex-chr programmers suddenly having to play alternative music and completely unsure what to play until they saw the FNXs and the KROQs and the HFSs make the move first. THAT'S what got LC on the 'modern rock' charts and those very intelligent guys in that band knew that. hence, the personal thanks from them. I'm not saying and would never say that FNX was responsible for their success - I'm saying we were instrumental in getting them exposure to an alternative audience that embraced them as an alternative band.

The songwriting and viewpoints musically of LC make them alternative. Vernon Reid is a founding member of the Black Rock Coalition, an organization quoted as being made up "of artists and producers dedicated to furthering the cause of black alternative music". LOTS of alternative bands toured with Metal or Rock bands to get the break they needed. Nirvana toured with Guns and Roses - was Nirvana metal or was Guns and Roses alternative? I'd say the fact that LC is part of the Lollapalooza legacy (they were on the very first tour) tells me they enjoy being considered alternative.

Remember that "alternative" is a relative term. It encompasses so many genres of music, that every one, from the english pop synth groups to ska bands with black and white kids to the flavor of the month american punk bands, owes something to someone preceding them. What sucks about the label "alternative" is that people believe that to be one definitive form of music created by three punky smelly white guys in a garage. FNX embracing of the Kinks, the Who, MC5 etc. is awesome. But there is still so much more to explore within the genre that could make FNX shine.

Well done, Paul! GREAT debate.

 

[THE_VIKING]

Wonder if they'll play Television. That would rock.

 

[mjb1124]

They also played Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue" earlier this evening according to Yes. Titles like this seem to be sprinkled in maybe once or twice a day, at least for now. Cash getting played on Alternative is nothing new, and I think the Kinks were a proto-alternative band of sorts. I'm a little on the fence about the Who and the Stones - great bands, but I think they're best left to classic rock stations. But as long as they don't start playing bands like AC/DC and Van Halen, I can't complain too much.

 

[Neanderpaul]

Thank you for the kind words. I think these kinds of discussions can be extremely beneficial. I honestly believe radio as an industry really loses sight of how much fun this all can be because we're too busy looking at charts. Which are completely unrelated to what the audience wants to hear on their favorite station. The debate now, appears to be how do people use us. We're told we're unimportant-background-appliances. If that's the case, this whole performance royalty thing should be an issue for the RIAA. But, that's another discussion.

Paul - thanks for the response. First intelligent conversation I've ever had in the eight years of posting on this site. The Living Colour debate will always go on and I look forward to your insight in the matter. Perhaps the two of us will enlighten a few with our thoughts and experiences.

First, let me clarify something. The band did not come to us and thank us for being first to ever play them. They came to us because they realized that at that time, FNX was a leading alternative station in the country, and that other stations would read our playlist and follow. that's they way commercial alternative radio formed back then. a format filled plenty of ex-chr programmers suddenly having to play alternative music and completely unsure what to play until they saw the FNXs and the KROQs and the HFSs make the move first. THAT'S what got LC on the 'modern rock' charts and those very intelligent guys in that band knew that. hence, the personal thanks from them. I'm not saying and would never say that FNX was responsible for their success - I'm saying we were instrumental in getting them exposure to an alternative audience that embraced them as an alternative band.

And I think that's something missing from ALL formats today. And there's no debate...the guys in LC are extremely smart...and in Vernon/Doug's case, slightly crazy.

The songwriting and viewpoints musically of LC make them alternative. Vernon Reid is a founding member of the Black Rock Coalition, an organization quoted as being made up "of artists and producers dedicated to furthering the cause of black alternative music". LOTS of alternative bands toured with Metal or Rock bands to get the break they needed. Nirvana toured with Guns and Roses - was Nirvana metal or was Guns and Roses alternative? I'd say the fact that LC is part of the Lollapalooza legacy (they were on the very first tour) tells me they enjoy being considered alternative.

Lollapalooza would be a fantastic barometer had Metallica not once headlined.

I would agree that LC presented music with lyrical substance far beyond what was the norm at the time. And that also speaks to the disappointment that they're never given their proper respect as a genius band. Musically, lyrically, and socially. Like a (sorry for the categorization) Hard Rock Public Enemy.

Remember that "alternative" is a relative term. It encompasses so many genres of music, that every one, from the english pop synth groups to ska bands with black and white kids to the flavor of the month american punk bands, owes something to someone preceding them. What sucks about the label "alternative" is that people believe that to be one definitive form of music created by three punky smelly white guys in a garage. FNX embracing of the Kinks, the Who, MC5 etc. is awesome. But there is still so much more to explore within the genre that could make FNX shine.

You're right. I am disappointed that alternative came over and grabbed extremely non-alternative music in the mid-90's. Godsmack? Metallica? No. And Rock radio has done the same. The cross-formatic dilution is (IMHO) a result of radio programmers becoming lazy and/or allowing record companies and independent promoters too much influence over their playlists in order to manipulate the charts. Which we all know has nothing to do with good music, but only how many spins a song receives.

So, the labels told their artist that the song was blowing up on several formats and used that "promotional expense" to write a larger artist charge back bill and increase their profits. Meanwhile some stations damaged their brands over the long term because of foolish decisions, not made in the best interests. And confused the audience.

Which brings us back to Living Colour. It doesn't matter what tour they were on, or what station claims to be part of their story. Because, in the end, the audience remain the only legitimate arbiter. If the FNX kids think Living Colour is an alt-rock band, then they are. I don't think they do. I think Living Colour are viewed overall by the FNX audience as not belonging on the same stations as the Tings Tings, or Smiths, or Manchester Orchestra. But, I could very well be wrong. And again...it doesn't matter what I think.

The audience decides. They are the consumer. This remains a consumer-driven marketplace.

And someone must've asked the audience right? You'd hope so.

Thanks again for the discussion. I bet we've hit a few hot buttons that might set off legitimate tangential discussions related to radio. I believe that was part of Doug's initial vision for these boards.

 

[oldface]

This afternoon, they played Neil Young "Keep on Rockin in the Free World". That is the first time I have ever heard that song on FNX.