89X returns?

[Motown322]

I don't have a problem with Zeppelin or Pink Floyd on a station like WRIF or WCSX... but what I could never get my head around (well, it's consultants but they're by and large full of shit) is why it's always the same 3-4 songs from each artist? You're targeting an audience that bought and listened to entire albums. Mix a deeper cut into the playlist once a week. I refuse to believe that someone is going to change the station if "Ten Years Gone" or "The Rover" comes on instead of "Houses of the Holy".

[MegaHertz]

They can't risk someone tuning in for three seconds and not knowing the song or artist.

We're music and radio nerds. The average idiot wants familiar.

If it's anything I've learned in my life and in my time in radio is that deep cuts are like farts. Yours aren't so bad but you don't wanna deal with someone else's.

[edj]

I must be listening at the wrong times. I tuned in and out from west of London today (with static and interference) all the way home, and the playlist didn’t impress me, just generic alt station from the 90s/early to mid 2000s. That’s not necessarily bad, but a bit of a letdown. It sounds like it was better over the weekend, or I just tuned out when something interesting came on. Billy Talent was the exception.

Surprising didn’t hear Tragically Hip, which that’s a good thing. I never “got” them. Apparently I’m in the minority here. I know being CANCON they’ll be on a lot.

All commercials were from national Canadian chains or promos and PSAs. No mention of Detroit at all. This is clearly a Windsor station.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

I must be listening at the wrong times. I tuned in and out from west of London today (with static and interference) all the way home, and the playlist didn’t impress me, just generic alt station from the 90s/early to mid 2000s. That’s not necessarily bad, but a bit of a letdown. It sounds like it was better over the weekend, or I just tuned out when something interesting came on. Billy Talent was the exception.

Surprising didn’t hear Tragically Hip, which that’s a good thing. I never “got” them. Apparently I’m in the minority here. I know being CANCON they’ll be on a lot.

All commercials were from national Canadian chains or promos and PSAs. No mention of Detroit at all. This is clearly a Windsor station.

I must have listened when you did. I heard Tegan and Sarah(a song I didn’t know) and tons of other stuff I didn’t know. I heard Linkin Park’s new song which I love as well as their new lead.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

Tonight, after the "Another 89X Original" tag: "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. Just as a reminder to us that 89X would play everything. I think that's pretty cool. I don't specifically remember that song on 89X before it was everywhere else, but I'm sure it was.

I've decided that "Another 89X Original" refers to a track that 89X helped to popularize in the Detroit/Windsor area. The big songs that they played first. That tends to be 80s "classic alternative" or early 90s tracks, but it can also be Outcast or Gnarls Barkley. I guess it's more concise than "you heard it first on 89X."

Also heard another track tonight that I had forgotten was a constant on 89X: "I Hear You Calling" by Gob. More of that great Cancon. I love the Cancon! It's what made 89X unique. And I really like a lot of those tracks. I heard The Arkells "Oh, The Boss Is Coming!" this evening and that song is great. Mega, I had forgotten all about Bif Naked, too!

You know who they haven't played? Avril Lavigne. A bridge too far now? I was honestly surprised when they played "Complicated" when it first came out, but they did.

I love love Avril! I didn’t realize “I hear you calling” was part of CanCon.

I was in college when they played "Complicated."

I only ever heard it in middays but always wondered why that mushy made-for-pop radio song was on 89X.

They can let their girlie music station (93.9) play Avril Lavigne now. I don't need nor want to hear her music on 89X.

Well, I guess I am not their target demo as someone non binary, but I have no issue with female artists or “girlie crap” as long as it isn’t mindless Gen Z/Alpha shit. I personally love Lorde, Avril, and Paramore. But I also really love alternative too.

[stopnswop2]

They can't risk someone tuning in for three seconds and not knowing the song or artist.

We're music and radio nerds. The average idiot wants familiar.

If it's anything I've learned in my life and in my time in radio is that deep cuts are like farts. Yours aren't so bad but you don't wanna deal with someone else's.

There's an All Request Saturday Night show I listen to, and I can confirm these people call in to hear the same songs they heard 20 times that week in the car

[MWmetalhead]

Gimme Veruca Salt, The Breeders, PJ Harvey, or Letters to Cleo, and I'll be a happy man.

[Tackleberry]

Wow - No Doubt (pardon the pun) folks on this board are avid radio alt rock fans!

Three cheers for bringing 89X back. It's great' to hear some 2000's classics in there as well. I don't think I've ever heard MGMT or 90's or any Dinosaur Jr on the radio in Detroit before. Not since 1994 atleast.

Also great to hear solo Jack White on the air in Detroit! Shocker! Hardly hear a hometown hero besides seven nation on the air and yet hundreds of stations around the US play White Stripes and Jack White on regular rotation. Even heard Rancid tonight and Tegan and Sara. Go CanCon. Still waiting for Sloan!

I'm sure that was just opening weekend and the past few days and the honeymoon will soon be over, but hopefully they veer more towards the classic alternative punk versus the nu-emo/alt metal side of the spectrum.

Hoping for 91X in San Diego meets KROQ circa 1993!

[Chrocket87]

The signal is pretty hit or miss for me in Avon, OH. Heading to work last night, it came in clear as a local up until Cleveland city limits. This morning, it’s being totally overpowered by college station WJCU.

Overall, it sounds pretty good. I still prefer my local station (107.3/Cleveland), but 89X is a great alternative when 107.3 is playing something I’m sick of hearing.

[Chrocket87]

I don't have a problem with Zeppelin or Pink Floyd on a station like WRIF or WCSX... but what I could never get my head around (well, it's consultants but they're by and large full of shit) is why it's always the same 3-4 songs from each artist? You're targeting an audience that bought and listened to entire albums. Mix a deeper cut into the playlist once a week. I refuse to believe that someone is going to change the station if "Ten Years Gone" or "The Rover" comes on instead of "Houses of the Holy".

Growing up in Toledo in the 2000s, I could receive 89X, WRIF, and the Zone with a mostly clear signal. That said, I’ve always gravitated to Alternative over Active Rock BECAUSE of all the Classic Rock that Active plays on a frequent basis. As a teen, Ozzy, Zeppelin, and Floyd didn’t do much for me (I’ve enjoyed hair bands even less). I just didn’t want to sit through all of it to hear a Chevelle or Linkin Park song.

If Active Rock focused on 90s-now like Alt does, I would listen far more than I have/do. I’m sure teens and twenty-somethings feel the same about the 90s as I did about the 70s when I was that age.

[MWmetalhead]

The signal is pretty hit or miss for me in Avon, OH. Heading to work last night, it came in clear as a local up until Cleveland city limits. This morning, it’s being totally overpowered by college station WJCU.

Overall, it sounds pretty good. I still prefer my local station (107.3/Cleveland), but 89X is a great alternative when 107.3 is playing something I’m sick of hearing.

107.3 is a decent station.

I bet in your location 950 WWJ booms in during daylight hours. I was amazed how clear their reception is in downtown Cleveland.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

Wow - No Doubt (pardon the pun) folks on this board are avid radio alt rock fans!

Three cheers for bringing 89X back. It's great' to hear some 2000's classics in there as well. I don't think I've ever heard MGMT or 90's or any Dinosaur Jr on the radio in Detroit before. Not since 1994 atleast.

Also great to hear solo Jack White on the air in Detroit! Shocker! Hardly hear a hometown hero besides seven nation on the air and yet hundreds of stations around the US play White Stripes and Jack White on regular rotation. Even heard Rancid tonight and Tegan and Sara. Go CanCon. Still waiting for Sloan!

I'm sure that was just opening weekend and the past few days and the honeymoon will soon be over, but hopefully they veer more towards the classic alternative punk versus the nu-emo/alt metal side of the spectrum.

Hoping for 91X in San Diego meets KROQ circa 1993!

MGMT was on the River. You’re right about Dinosaur Jr. Only heard them on Pandora.

I absolutely love the White Stripes and that new archbishop song. In addition, as far as locals, bring on Greta Van Fleet!

[hb2]

The signal is pretty hit or miss for me in Avon, OH. Heading to work last night, it came in clear as a local up until Cleveland city limits. This morning, it’s being totally overpowered by college station WJCU.

Overall, it sounds pretty good. I still prefer my local station (107.3/Cleveland), but 89X is a great alternative when 107.3 is playing something I’m sick of hearing.

In terms of reception, there was a bit of at least moderate lake tropo going on all over Lake Erie yesterday evening. Did not turn on the radio and try to DX though. That would likely explain the unusually clear reception.

[MWmetalhead]

Billie Ellish? Barf.

C'mon 89X. Do better.

[Tackleberry]

Wow - No Doubt (pardon the pun) folks on this board are avid radio alt rock fans!

Three cheers for bringing 89X back. It's great' to hear some 2000's classics in there as well. I don't think I've ever heard MGMT or 90's or any Dinosaur Jr on the radio in Detroit before. Not since 1994 atleast.

Also great to hear solo Jack White on the air in Detroit! Shocker! Hardly hear a hometown hero besides seven nation on the air and yet hundreds of stations around the US play White Stripes and Jack White on regular rotation. Even heard Rancid tonight and Tegan and Sara. Go CanCon. Still waiting for Sloan!

I'm sure that was just opening weekend and the past few days and the honeymoon will soon be over, but hopefully they veer more towards the classic alternative punk versus the nu-emo/alt metal side of the spectrum.

Hoping for 91X in San Diego meets KROQ circa 1993!

MGMT was on the River. You’re right about Dinosaur Jr. Only heard them on Pandora.

I absolutely love the White Stripes and that new archbishop song. In addition, as far as locals, bring on Greta Van Fleet!

Great to hear Archbiship! Mazzy Star and Paper Planes MIA this morning but yeah its mainly hovering back to Linkin Park and Incubus which is what will probably happen when they bring on a morning show and afternoon on air programming. Hopefully they'll find a happy medium that doesn't have to rely heavily on Nu Metal Emo Alt Rap!

Would be so cool to hear some locals in rotation Iggy Pop "Lust for Life" on rotation or I know it would never happen but Dirtbombs "Motor City Baby" ADULT, Matthew Dear (Tegan and Sara), Brendan Benson, Greta too! Why not more electronic based house / techno!