I was cruising a few web sites doing some R&D for the station when I felt a need to address this topic. I get an email every once in a great while about this subject, which I never reply to, but at least I don't receive nearly as many as I used to. I know everyone has an opinion. We can also agree to disagree even though we listen to and enjoy the same genre. But that's not what this post is about - ie; meaning who's right and who's wrong.
I visit numerous web sites several times a week to do the following;
1). Keep informed - I want to know what's going on in the alternative music world, listen to new releases, as well as several other things. In my opinion, this keeps the station fresh, diverse, and up to date.
2). Get opinions - I enjoy people's feedback about music, new and old. Sometimes one can learn a new perspective about something that one had never thought of before.
Taking those two concepts, I went on the web site of a radio station that I listen to... a lot. Currently, they are playing the "Top 1000 Alternative Rock Songs Of All Time". The web site features a complete list. I thought to myself, "Cool... maybe there's a song or two I can add to the station that I hadn't thought of or that a listener hasn't mentioned yet".
I discovered two things. One, is that 360 Degrees of Alternative actually plays a good majority of the songs listed. At least we've covered the "popular" aspect. Second, and this was actually quite depressing, was the true lack of historical or influential material. This prompted me to get in touch with the morning drive DJ as we have known each other for a number of years. We both agreed that the list was jaded and very biased or in other words, a popularity contest, as most of these lists are. Being in professional radio myself for years, I know this is an accepted fact of the profession... it helps pay the bills. We both expected to see bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Green Day to have numerous entries. In fact, each of these bands have 3 songs each in the top 30.
What we found discouraging was the lack of historical and influential songs, or even the fact that there were very few songs on the list that were released prior to 1990. In fact, it was a little scary. Out of 1,000 songs, there were two, count 'em, two songs by The Ramones. They had the position of #186 and #369. There were two songs by The Clash, taking up residence at numbers 439 and 721. The true bummer, however, was there wasn't a single song on the list by The Sex Pistols... none. Out of 1,000 songs. Also painfully absent were songs by Iggy Pop, Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, and countless other bands. My friend told me, "You know, if we played select songs by those artists, the listeners would probably enjoy and embrace them. Of course, once they found out just how old they those songs were, a number of listeners would probably go into shock! (Laughing) But that shouldn't matter - they're still great songs. Bottom line, though - it's a crime that some songs didn't make the cut... a true crime. In a way I feel like we're screwing over our listeners."
The final nail in the coffin, however, was the fact that there were songs on the list by Metallica (Relax - I like Metallica, but they are not alternative), Eminen and Outkast. Seriously! I love "Hey Ya" as much as the next person, but it ain't alternative! And it doesn't belong on this list!
In my opinion, that's where 360 Degrees as well as other internet and satellite radio stations come in. We play the diversity the genre truly deserves. In order to appreciate the present, we must respect the past... and not just the past 20 years worth. We must dig deeper and go further. We at 360 Degrees will never conform to a "top whatever" list. It has to be a balance of popularity, diversity, history, and a slight mix of obscurity. And best of all... we don't have to "pay the bills" like a commercial station. Which means we can let the station and the music do the talking.
Until next time, peace out.
Dave
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