In the ’80s and early ’90s, new-wave fans struggled to hear their music on the radio in all but a handful of markets. But Classic Rock is a format seemingly made for online and satellite radio. Prompted by this week’s article on the early days of Billboard’s “Modern Rock” chart, here are just a few places to hear classic Alternative. (I’m starting with four but may add more in coming days.)
Village Radio
Village Radio is overseen by veteran programmer Rick “RJ” Jordan, director of promotion for Country music’s GrassRoots promotion, but a veteran northeast PD/air talent as well. Village Radio is already hosted through much of the day, and Jordan is in the process of extending that to midnight. In another rarity for an online-only station, Village Radio had the presents for a show in conjunction with Los Angeles Parks and Recreation, starring A Flock of Seagulls, Men Without Hats, Dramarama, and the act now known as “When in Rome UK.” Here’s Village Radio on July 7, just before 4 p.m.:
- Devo, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
- Fine Young Cannibals, “She Drives Me Crazy”
- Howard Jones, “Pearl in the Shell”
- Clash, “Police and Thieves”
- David Bowie, “Heroes”
- Icicle Works, “Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)”
- Squeeze, “In Quintessence”
- Dead or Alive, “Something in My House”
- Stranglers, “Skin Deep”
- Paul Young, “Come Back and Stay”
- INXS, “I Send a Message”
- Tubes, “Talk to You Later”
- New Order, “Blue Monday”
- Psychedelic Furs, “Pretty in Pink”
NYTheSpirit.com
NYTheSpirit.com was profiled more extensively several years ago. It’s Toronto radio veteran David Marsden’s subscription-only tribute to ’80s-era CFNY Toronto. While none of the stations profiled here plays 100% crossover hits, there was certainly an extra level of “oh wow” in the hour I listened to. Here’s NYTheSpirit.com on Saturday morning, July 8:
- Fixx, “Deeper and Deeper”
- Lords of the New Church, “Dance With Me”
- Brian Eno & John Cale, “Spinning Away”
- 10,000 Maniacs, “Scorpio Rising”
- New Order, “Superheated”
- Tokyo Police Club, “Beaches”
- Q-Feel, “Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)”
- It’s Immaterial, “Dancing Away From Home”
- Filter & Crystal Method, “(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do”
- Nick Lowe, “Cruel to Be Kind”
- Service Broadcasting, “Sputnik”
SiriusXM 1st Wave
Being readily available in (some) cars makes 1st Wave probably the most prominent ’80s Alternative station, and a regular button. When I hear it, it’s usually a 50/50 mix between crossover hits and deep cuts. (There were two songs in this stretch that were discoveries for me, including the Duran Duran cover of David Bowie.) Here is SiriusXM 1stWave with Doug “Sluggo” Roberts at 11 a.m., July 10:
- Blondie, “Heart of Glass”
- Romantics, “Talking in Your Sleep”
- Psychedelic Furs, “Heaven”
- a-Ha, “Take on Me”
- Duran Duran, “Fame”
- Devo, “Whip It”
- Love and Rockets, “All in My Mind”
- Clash, “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
- Sugarcubes, “Hit”
- Go-Go’s, “Our Lips Are Sealed”
- Thompson Twins, “If You Were Here”
Dare-FM
It was originally WLIR.FM, a tribute to WLIR Long Island. Now, it takes its handle from WLIR’s time with the WDRE call letters (as well as its “dare to be different” slogan). Programmed by WLIR’s Bob Wilson, with several former jocks, Dare-FM tries to keep the spirit of the original station going with a mix of old and new titles. Here’s Dare-FM at 2 p.m. on July 11:
- 1975, “A Change of Heart”
- Band of Horses, “Is There a Ghost”
- Police, “Spirits in the Material World”
- Sports Team, “The Drop”
- Bangles, “Walk Like an Egyptian”
- Gaslight Anthem, “45”
- Kirsty MacColl, “Walking Down Madison”
- Lemonheads, “If I Could Talk”
- R.E.M., “Mine Smell Like Home”
- Wet Leg, “Ur Mum”
Classic alternative Planet Radio 106.7 in Lafayette LA goes into some pretty deep gold tracks at times. Ive heard a few songs recently that I had completely forgotten about like Dexter Freebish “Leaving Town” and I’m a music buff.