Wow! A first in quite some time, (about 6 months I think), the 2nd blog entry to hit cyberspace in less than a week! Also, we seem to be doing an about face here from a few days ago. Things seem to be picking up in the rock & alternative music world. Maybe it was the full moon... maybe it was the weather. Don't know, but hey... don't care!
First off, lots of new stuff seems to either be on the horizon or bursting at the seems. The first tidbit that seems to be a substantial buzz on the airwaves as well as on-line, is the wedding of Eddie Vedder. Now, here's the fun part... ask a bunch of people who are really into alternative music or even just Pearl Jam, and ask them, "Who did he marry?" About half the people don't know! By the way, her name is Jill McCormick.
More new stuff - Soundgarden is back! Their new release (oops, almost said album... soo 80's of me) is called "Telephantasm". Five (5) tracks have already been released on iTunes. We will be adding some of the new stuff to the station this weekend.
Is it me or are we sorta in a "retro" gear, here? All these big time artists and people from the 90's making a big splash again? Don't get me wrong... I'm not complaining. But along with the Soundgarden release, Alice in Chains had a big night with opening act The Deftones at NYC's Madison Square Garden. One question loomed large before Friday’s concert:
- How would new singer William Duvall measure up to Layne Staley, the band’s original front man, who died in 2002?
On Black Gives Way to Blue, the album Alice in Chains released last year with Duvall (ending a fourteen-year hiatus for the group), the new guy sounds remarkably like Staley. In concert, the similarity became almost eerie: The band kicked off its set by nailing the first three tracks from 1992’s Dirt (“Them Bones,” “Dam That River” and “Rain When I Die”), with Duvall recreating Staley’s vocal lines with the same studiousness of guitarist Jerry Cantrell, who delivered his solos note-for-note. In that sense, Alice in Chains have changed: The show felt more like a recital than an exorcism, as it would have with Staley. All in all, from what I've seen & read, things went and are going well.
Another shot of retro-ism... last one, I promise (well, maybe not). I was reading in the latest issue of Rolling Stone an article that highlighted the top 25 record stores in America. Much to my delight, Newbury Comics out of Boston Massachusetts made the list... in fact, it was in the top 10! Not only was it a nice surprise, but also filled my head with TONS of great memories of one of my old college stomping grounds. It's also nice to know that these stores, although few & far between, are still thriving.
Finally, here's a concert bill made in heaven or hell depending on your viewpoint. Read the band list & try to wrap your mind around the fact these bands played on the same day and weekend in southern California. More than 25 acts, including headliners Eminem, KISS, Blink-182, and Bush, playing their first gig in eight years, put in high-octane sets at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA, for KROQ's second annual Epicenter Festival. Wonders never cease...
That's about it for now. 'Til next time, keep listening...
Peace out,
Dave
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Is It Me or Has It Been An Off Week?
Greetings fellow alternative music lovers!
First off, my apologies for the campy, cliched opening line. It was the only way I could think of to start this entry of the blog. It's corny, somewhat stupid, and well... off.
Reading some of the latest musical news, I'd have to say that we are right in line with what's happening in the alternative rock as well as the rock world in general lately, at least in the past week or two. I've been glancing through Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard, and a host of others. And all the stuff either in those rags or on the web, seems, well... off. What I mean by this, is that it's all been a bit weird. In some cases, it leaves me thinking, "Has it been THAT slow of a week guys?"
Here's a few examples...
- Highlights on J. Lo & Steven Tyler debuting on American Idol
- Lady Ga Ga speaking in Portland Maine... yes, Maine
- The top 10 Beatles songs of all time... haven't we been there before? A lot?
Moving forward, however, we did have some cool tasty features that emerged this week. One of the most awaited and anticipated was the new Kings of Leon single which we are featuring on 360 Degrees. We, like many people, are hoping the follow up disc is just as good as their last disc, but offers something different.
Another interesting article I read was about Nashville Tennessee. Apparently, that city is one of the hottest places for new alternative music. Yes, I thought the same thing... Nashville? The city has a fitting nickname: "Music City." While it's known as the capital of country music, iconic artists like Elvis, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, and Bob Dylan all flocked to Nashville to record seminal albums. But the city is undergoing a rock renaissance. Big names like Paramore, Kings of Leon, and Jack White all call Nashville home, and outside the Grand Ole Opry, a young indie rock scene is blossoming.
First off, my apologies for the campy, cliched opening line. It was the only way I could think of to start this entry of the blog. It's corny, somewhat stupid, and well... off.
Reading some of the latest musical news, I'd have to say that we are right in line with what's happening in the alternative rock as well as the rock world in general lately, at least in the past week or two. I've been glancing through Rolling Stone, Spin, Billboard, and a host of others. And all the stuff either in those rags or on the web, seems, well... off. What I mean by this, is that it's all been a bit weird. In some cases, it leaves me thinking, "Has it been THAT slow of a week guys?"
Here's a few examples...
- Highlights on J. Lo & Steven Tyler debuting on American Idol
- Lady Ga Ga speaking in Portland Maine... yes, Maine
- The top 10 Beatles songs of all time... haven't we been there before? A lot?
Moving forward, however, we did have some cool tasty features that emerged this week. One of the most awaited and anticipated was the new Kings of Leon single which we are featuring on 360 Degrees. We, like many people, are hoping the follow up disc is just as good as their last disc, but offers something different.
Another interesting article I read was about Nashville Tennessee. Apparently, that city is one of the hottest places for new alternative music. Yes, I thought the same thing... Nashville? The city has a fitting nickname: "Music City." While it's known as the capital of country music, iconic artists like Elvis, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, and Bob Dylan all flocked to Nashville to record seminal albums. But the city is undergoing a rock renaissance. Big names like Paramore, Kings of Leon, and Jack White all call Nashville home, and outside the Grand Ole Opry, a young indie rock scene is blossoming.
The annual Next BIG Nashville summit -- which is currently in progress through October 2nd, celebrates all corners of the city's scene, and like the music it honors, the event is growing. This year, national acts like Yeasayer, Wavves, and RJD2 join a bill packed with about-to-break local acts that could soon step out of the shadows cast by Nashville's country music juggernaut. Some of these new acts will be hitting the airwaves shortly on 360 Degrees. Be sure to check them out!
While we're on the subject of new & exciting bands, here's a link to Billboard Magazine & their "Tastemakers" series of tunes & videos. This week features the band The Black Angels. The music is modern, but definitely has a 60's twist to it. I think you'll like it. It's just another example of how alternative music and it's influences spans the decades.
That's about all the time I have right now. Until next time...
Dave
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Our 6 Month Anniversary, New Tracks, Hate Mail & Defining What Is "True"
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. 360 Degrees of Alternative celebrated it's 6 month anniversary on the air this past week, and as if right on cue, the station received, in my opinion, it's first piece of "hate mail".
The email came from a former listener - and his main complaint was "the station had veered tremendously from it's original concept of being a "different" alternative radio station". His main focus was regarding the tracks that had been added over the past 3 months, and he really objected to the addition of bands like Motorhead, Pantera, and Megadeth. In his opinion, those bands are heavy metal, not alternative. Other points included, "there is too much variety", "there are too many decades featured", and my favorite, "I've come to believe you really don't know what true alternative music is".
I'm going to pass along a Readers Digest condensed version of the reply I sent to him. First off, I sent along my expressions of disappointment that he was no longer a listener and had become dissatisfied with the music selection. However, I informed him that I was not going to change a thing. In the past 6 months, we have had over 2,000 listeners add 360 Degrees as a "preset" to their member profiles... and they are only allowed six presets at this time. We also have over 325 listeners who have designated the station "as their favorite". On the other side of the coin, he was our 1st dissatisfied listener. Sorry Charlie, that ratio doesn't add up to do a major change in my book. I also dished the statement of "veering from the original concept". It sounded as if the station has been on the air for something like 15 years not just 6 months. Yeesh pal, relax.
As far as adding bands as Motorhead, Pantera, and Megadeth, there's a very good reason for this. It's called a matter of influences. Motorhead, as I have stated before, have influenced more bands, metal AND alternative, that I dare to count. Likewise for Pantera & Megadeth. In regards to Pantera, and the song we feature "I'm Broken", it's difficult to find a band that can truly rock harder and still maintain a level of quality. In regards to Megadeth, the song we currently feature is the classic, "Peace Sells". While the guitar sound and style could be classified as "metal-esque", if there is such a term, one just needs to step beyond that point. Listen to the lyrics, what they're about, the snarl in the vocals, the attitude, and finally the all-out assault of the bass & drums at the end of the song. Then play a modern kick ass "alternative" song right after that and I dare you to tell me there's vast night & day differences...
As far as variety, that's one of our strong points according to our listeners and people who have reviewed / rated the station. I get feedback constantly about what people think about the station, the songs I feature, and more stats than one realizes. According to the people that matter most, the listeners, 360 Degrees is doing a great job. If one doesn't want variety, go back to listening to some of the traditional radio stations out there. On average, their playlists only consist of approximately 200 songs. We feature, at the present moment, over four times that amount.
Lastly, as far as keeping or playing alternative music "that is true"... all I have to say is "c'mon; what planet are you from"? Alternative is a vein of rock n' roll, which was a bastard child to begin with. It came together decades ago from several different types of music. It could not nor can it ever be "true". Ditto with any form or genre of rock n' roll. Period. Deal with it.
On a different note, we wanted to let everyone know that we have a new email address! We were experiencing some problems with the initial one we had, so we went with a local company that has a much more reliable system. You can now send comments, suggestions, or whatever to altrnatv@midcoast.com
Til next time, keep listening...
Peace out,
Dave
The email came from a former listener - and his main complaint was "the station had veered tremendously from it's original concept of being a "different" alternative radio station". His main focus was regarding the tracks that had been added over the past 3 months, and he really objected to the addition of bands like Motorhead, Pantera, and Megadeth. In his opinion, those bands are heavy metal, not alternative. Other points included, "there is too much variety", "there are too many decades featured", and my favorite, "I've come to believe you really don't know what true alternative music is".
I'm going to pass along a Readers Digest condensed version of the reply I sent to him. First off, I sent along my expressions of disappointment that he was no longer a listener and had become dissatisfied with the music selection. However, I informed him that I was not going to change a thing. In the past 6 months, we have had over 2,000 listeners add 360 Degrees as a "preset" to their member profiles... and they are only allowed six presets at this time. We also have over 325 listeners who have designated the station "as their favorite". On the other side of the coin, he was our 1st dissatisfied listener. Sorry Charlie, that ratio doesn't add up to do a major change in my book. I also dished the statement of "veering from the original concept". It sounded as if the station has been on the air for something like 15 years not just 6 months. Yeesh pal, relax.
As far as adding bands as Motorhead, Pantera, and Megadeth, there's a very good reason for this. It's called a matter of influences. Motorhead, as I have stated before, have influenced more bands, metal AND alternative, that I dare to count. Likewise for Pantera & Megadeth. In regards to Pantera, and the song we feature "I'm Broken", it's difficult to find a band that can truly rock harder and still maintain a level of quality. In regards to Megadeth, the song we currently feature is the classic, "Peace Sells". While the guitar sound and style could be classified as "metal-esque", if there is such a term, one just needs to step beyond that point. Listen to the lyrics, what they're about, the snarl in the vocals, the attitude, and finally the all-out assault of the bass & drums at the end of the song. Then play a modern kick ass "alternative" song right after that and I dare you to tell me there's vast night & day differences...
As far as variety, that's one of our strong points according to our listeners and people who have reviewed / rated the station. I get feedback constantly about what people think about the station, the songs I feature, and more stats than one realizes. According to the people that matter most, the listeners, 360 Degrees is doing a great job. If one doesn't want variety, go back to listening to some of the traditional radio stations out there. On average, their playlists only consist of approximately 200 songs. We feature, at the present moment, over four times that amount.
Lastly, as far as keeping or playing alternative music "that is true"... all I have to say is "c'mon; what planet are you from"? Alternative is a vein of rock n' roll, which was a bastard child to begin with. It came together decades ago from several different types of music. It could not nor can it ever be "true". Ditto with any form or genre of rock n' roll. Period. Deal with it.
On a different note, we wanted to let everyone know that we have a new email address! We were experiencing some problems with the initial one we had, so we went with a local company that has a much more reliable system. You can now send comments, suggestions, or whatever to altrnatv@midcoast.com
Til next time, keep listening...
Peace out,
Dave
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