It seems like every hour is Flashback Weekend. What gives, KROQ?
When recently a person was asked if he ever listens to KROQ, he said, "Yeah, I love classic rock." KROQ classic rock? Wow. So much has changed. 30 years ago, the station prided itself on playing the latest in new music. There was, of course, and still is, the sometimes bizarre sounds of Rodney on the Roq's picks for his show.
Some brilliant programming genius thinks the people want to hear Nirvana every day. There is nothing against listening to some of these artists during Flashback Weekend or even Flashback Lunch. But 1990s or 1980s all the time?
The new artists being played are often overplayed. It's often time for something else new rather than another outing for Paramore's "Brick by Boring Brick."
Plus, Nicole Alvarez can say some of the most vapid things. One time she said the Clash learned Ecuadorean Spanish for backing choruses on "Should I Stay Or Should I Go". All it means is that Alvarez doesn't speak enough Spanish to know what the Clash is singing is that same in all dialects. Come on, Alvarez, time to discover your roots.
There is no doubting the genius of The Clash, Nirvana, Beastie Boys, REM, Dramarama and many others recently heard. Their songs gave people something powerful, a sense of being understood and something to sing. No Doubt's "I'm Just A Girl" is from 1995! It's been on the radio twice this week. Did KROQ even play them back then? Wasn't grunge the big thing? The Nirvana they're still playing?
Playing old songs doesn't create a fan base for newer bands who would benefit from the exposure or send people to iTunes in droves to make a purchase. It satisfies those who own already and lulls them into thinking their collections are complete.
Just curious, though, when did KROQ ever play Guns N' Roses until now? Perhaps because, unbeknownst to most, the station was bought out in 1986 by Infinity Broacasting which led to a merging with CBS in 1997. KROQ runs out of the same place as KRTH now. And seriously, Loveline is getting old. When Loveline comes on, the search for another station begins.
It's true, in the 80s, at times, rock really meant something. It's true that this was the first time there were so many groups trying to say something important. It's true that many artists tried to raise social and political awareness about poverty, discrimination, racism and famine in Africa through charity singles. However, let's not kid ourselves, many artists were just trying to make a buck singing about love and random stuff.
It seems that by playing the retro songs, they attempt to recapture the magic of what the station once was. It's not working. The only way to be what they once were is to do what they once did; play a larger percentage of new music.
In 1981, KROQ made the shift to being "the Roq of the 80s." back then "New Wave" was the future. Rodney on the ROQ led the way, often being the first to play up and coming bands. It was a brave move back then to play double the amount of new music. And it worked.
KROQ vaulted itself to being the most popular radio station in Los Angeles with the new format. KROQ paved the road for the new "alternative" sound. By 1983, Lee Abrams advised 70 album oriented rock stations to double the amount of new music they played according to the book, Rip It Up and Start Again by Simon Reynolds.
Current programming is the cause of bitter commentary. Many would rather hear new artists channeling the old sound than just hear old artists. Franz Ferdinand's retro post-punk sound made them wildly popular.
How did programming directors forget that playing new music in the 80s made KROQ the ROQ of the 80s? The way to be the ROQ of the 21st Century would be to go back to playing more new music.
The following videos are of songs not getting airplay:
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