What is kroq gonna do?

[ChannelFlipper]

At one point KROQ played a lot of imports and broke UK bands in the US, so in that sense, to international musicians and those associated with them, KROQ did have some degree of "world fame." Not terribly relevant in the internet age, but made sense at the time.

"Andy Travis" has got to be the best handle on this site. Props.

 

[TheBigA]

I think one of the DJs of the time, Rodney Bingenheimer, might have also had a national show

Bingenheimer was one of those guys who brought "street cred" to the station. For better or worse, he was connected to the 70s and 80s music scene in ways most radio people aren't. He was a music insider in the way Seacrest is now. KROQ would do well to find someone like that again. They call them "tastemakers," and in a world where there are millions of people releasing music, a tastemaker can help the audience sort through all the choices. That kind of person can be an invaluable resource.

 

[MarkW]

No, the new format at KROQ is intended to create a separate niche, given that Alt is a subdivided genre with definite and incompatible silos within it.

In my view, KROQ's changes were prompted by KYSR defeating it in the ratings over a lengthy period of time coupled with the fact KROQ's "old" way of doing things simply didn't work anymore.

Are there differences in playlist curation between the two stations? Sure. I agree with you in that regard. KYSR plays more in the way of teen punk garbage and also devotes more slots to proven hit singles.

 

[davideduardo]

In my view, KROQ's changes were prompted by KYSR defeating it in the ratings over a lengthy period of time coupled with the fact KROQ's "old" way of doing things simply didn't work anymore.

The changes at KROQ came with the retirement of half of the morning show and the "departure" of Kevin. The station was sustained by AM Drive, and then it collapsed totally. But it had been losing, music to music, for several years.

It was well known that a huge percentage of the KROQ revenue came from the morning show. Add in buys that anchored in mornings with additional spots the rest of the day and you had huge dependency on the talent, not the music. All gone...

Are there differences in playlist curation between the two stations? Sure. I agree with you in that regard. KYSR plays more in the way of teen punk garbage and also devotes more slots to proven hit singles.

If you have ever been through an alternative rock music test, you know there are multiple split factions. KROQ has gone to a different flavor. The difference is sort of like figuring out what separates a CHR and a Hot AC.

 

[boombox4]

But "world famous" sounds so much better than "known in some places where people follow alternative rock closely".

The second positioner just does not have that radio zing to it...

Actually, the magazines I mentioned covered various genres of rock music, so any national exposure via those magazines would have been to rock fans in general. It wouldn't have been confined to just alternative rock.

Of course, although there were niches and genres within rock in the 70s and 80s, they weren't quite as defined as they are today. If you were into the late 70's / early 80's version of 'metal' you'd still page through the articles on alt rock artists, which is where Bingenheimer would undoubtedly be mentioned.

 

[MarkW]

KROQ has gone to a different flavor.

Yup. KROQ seems to be leaning more toward the Indie side of the format.

 

[kp2780]

The new KROQ is a good station for people who like alternative music that leans towards pop music. One thing that is noticeable is how they play the same gold records over and over. I tune in once or twice per week for 30 minutes each time and I often hear the same selection of old songs (by Blink 182, Postal Service, Fitz and the Tantrums, Linkin Park, Portugal the Man).