1 Half Of NMTM On RXP Tonight!

A dream has come true for yours truly, if only for one night. Remember my ranting in months past about how New York City's 101.9 RXP saved my faith in mainstream rock 'n' roll radio? Well, Sunday night DJ and host of Anything, Anything, Rich Russo, has invited me to come in and see his show live tonight, from 9-11. I'm hoping we get the chance to talk a bit about college radio, the state of rock music, favorite artists, and more. It should be one experience I'll never forget and certainly a late Christmas present. Tune in tonight via their web-stream at 1019rxp.com. And for more on Rich's show, visit his site here. See ya then!

The Clash Tops RXP's First Major Countdown

Check it out, people: New York's Rock Experience, 101.9 RXP, conducted a list over Labor Day weekend consisting of the definitive 1,019 tracks that stand the test of time in rock 'n' roll history. Essentially, a best-of-the-bests kind of thing. The countdown was arranged by the combined efforts of both listener and RXP staff vote submissions. 1,019 songs - that's a pretty extensive list, but let me assure you, it was quite enjoyable to tune into the station throughout the weekend and catch up on the Definitive 1,019 List. Here's the Top 10:

10. The Ramones - "I Wanna Be Sedated"
9. Elvis Costello - "(What’s So Funny About)…"
8. The Rolling Stones - "Gimme Shelter"
7. Tom Petty - "American Girl"
6. Led Zeppelin - "Ramble On"
5. The Beatles - "A Day In The Life"
4. Bruce Springsteen - "Thunder Road"
3. The Smiths - "How Soon Is Now?"
2. The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"
1. The Clash - "London Calling"

Is this what you expected? RXP favorites Costello, Petty, and The Boss all make the cut in the Top 10. Legendary 80's indie band, The Smiths, capture 3rd place. And the late Joe Strummer and Co. claim numero uno. Keep in mind, the fans had most of the say on what went down. I, for one, agree with the Rock Republic and applaud 101.9 RXP on a job well done.

The Smiths - "How Soon Is Now?"


The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"


Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, & Steve Van Standt - "London Calling"


Click here for the entire list, courtesy of DJ Steve Craig and 101.9 RXP.

On A Slow News Day, The NY Times Will Support College Radio

How did that French guy climb you?

I've actually been told to read this article TWICE; first by our station manager, Monsoon Mike, then by a bunch of business-types at IBS. The Times wrote an article about where college radio stands in society back in December. So this was a very fitting article for the conference, itself. I think it's important that the public gets a little lectured on what it is we're actually up to these days, as college radio kids. Our medium is basically on the back burner these days, thanks to iPods and MTV's programming (that's a small joke ... real small). It's a heart breaker. We try to get our shows, stations, and selves out there in the hopes that people take notice of the entertainment we provide. Sadly, it mostly falls on deaf ears. Though I don't normally do this, I applaud you, New York Times; your ordinary small font and lack of pictures usually put me to sleep, only to wake up with your print tattooed on my face. But covering this topic is a pretty hip thing that you old folks and uptights could put out. Way to be; you have made an acquittance with college radio. For now. Beware - we are unforgiving. So "College Radio Maintains its Mojo"; I agree. We're fresh. Original. Nerdy. And happy to do what we do. That's more than most people can argue about their own jobs. The article can be read here, and thank the Lord we don't have to pay for this one like other pieces of the Times. Paying to read something on-line? Pish-posh!

Do it up, Spider-Man!
Then get out of our beautiful country before you stank it up. Shave.


FAIL.

Jim Adair's Take on IBS 2009!

"NMtM ain't afraid of no ghosts"

As Mike already mentioned, the IBS Conference in NYC was a blast. A lot was learned and more was drank. The conferences I attended will do nothing but benefit the station and our show in particular. They were:

• Friday, 5:00-5:55 : Social Networking at College Radio (a lot of cool ideas and info).
• Friday, 6:10 : Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex Tour (Springsteen's '57 Chevy Bel Aire? Yes, Please).
• Saturday, 9:30-10:25 : Voice Workshop (good info, but I was still half asleep).
• Saturday, 10:35-11:30 : Indie Labels and Your Station (great info, contacts, and a cute Asian girl).
• Saturday, 11:45-12:40 : Special Events For Your Station (okay session, guy repeated himself quite often).
• Saturday, 2:30-3:25 : Software Solutions for the Production Director (holy shit was this one good, I am so pumped to use that stuff he told us about here).

As Mr. Pop also mentioned, some beer was drank, and for that I'd like to thank our friends at the Blarney Rock, the unofficial NYC Bar of KUR.

Zombie death eyes for all.

All in all, it was a great time, with great people and great information for everyone involved. Even the shitty hotel room with the broken door and leaking toilet couldn't ruin it. Next year will be a blast as well, but until then, we are going to use everything we learned to make our show the best we can.

Mike Pop's Take on IBS 2009!

Jim claims he's in the back on this picture somewhere, but just in case, we'll update this post frequently and add our own pictures. They're more wild than this. They include big randoms, Ghost Busters, and alcohol.

Well folks, while you may have been relaxing on a blistering hot beach gazing into the deep blue sea, or just getting fat, sitting on your couch watching re-runs of Maury, selected members of KUR (including the Never Mind the Mainstream crew) attended the 60+ Anniversary of the IBS Conference in New York City for March 2009 (at the Hotel Pennsylvania in Manhattan). Right across from the world's most famous arena: Madison Square Garden! It's a major highlight, not just of the school year, but it's so awesome; it's a huge convention that expresses the current time and place of college radio & broadcasting in society. Sounds important? It is. And it was.

This was my 3rd year going. I've been lucky enough to attend the past 2 with a ton of KUR members, past and present, however, despite all the great memories and new experiences of yesteryear, this past conference was the absolute best. It really squashed the other years. The sessions were sharp and informative, even though we got there late on Friday. The hotel itself was not up to par (flooding toilets make for an interesting stay) and we may have drank and spent a little more than we should've (no surprise there), but the whole experience was great. Every single person there had something to bring to the event and we all learned from each other. We're all struggling in this market and it helps to know we're not doing this all in vain. There's no city quite like NYC, and the panelists who invaded the convention were major movers and shakers in the biz. Also, there were Over 1,100 IBS Member broadcasters from coast-to-coast USA attending it! Shit, that's a lot.

Here's the list of the sessions I attended:

1. Friday, 5:00-5:55 - Social Networking & College Radio
*One of the pannelists favorite bands was The Replacements. I was sold. What a great pace setter.

2. " ", 6:05 - 9:00(?) - Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame Annex
*A must see if your in the city. Huge exhibition on The Clash, "the only band that matters".

3. Saturday, 9:30-10:25 - Voice Workshop
*Don't drink milk or soda before going on the air. Good, simple advice.

4. " ", 10:30-11:45 - Independant Labels & Your Station
*So indie.

5. " ", 11:45-12:40 - An Audience with the Pros: On-Air Personalities Roundtable
*WPLJ (my summer internship station) had its afternoon-drive DJ Race Taylor (great dude) and KROC's Chris Booker (former MTV VJ and a regular guy on VH1 "I Love The Whatever" shows) talk about being an on-air pro. Terrififc insight.

6. " ", 1:20-2:15 - Careers In Broadcasting
*Basically, I have a lot research to do when it comes to finding a job.

7. " ", Making Your Name in Broadcasting (Featuring Lynn Hoffman)

*Lynn is so lovely. She was so sweet and her story of climbing the ladder in radio & TV is inspiring. She hosted VH1 Classic pretty much by herself for the first 5 years, you know, when it was legit and not a sad pile of burning garbage and repetitive programming. We had a nice chat and I got a hug afterwards. She said if I want to be the next Jim Shearer, that I should go for it. Smile on my face and score one for me.

After all the seminars has concluded, fellow KUR DJ Jon Durand and I broadcasted an hour-long, commericial-free quick show on WIBS radio! From 8-9 PM, we owned the airwaves. And we had a very odd setlist, but hey, it was spur of the moments. Here's what we played:

Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Justice - Never Be Alone
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
Bloc Party - Signs (MMMatthias Remix)
Bloc Party - Always New Depths
Nine Inch Nails - Discipline
Purified In Blood - Twisted Skull(?)
Soundgarden - Spoonman
Flo Rida - Right Round
R.E.M. - Radio Song
& then some fun group-rap tune that Jon played. Is not obvious who played what? Haha. I loved it. Such a hybrid show that made no sense. It helped to have a drink or two before we went on the air. Mine had soda in it...woops.

After that, we met up with the Tampa, Flordia kids at WUTT ("what, what?") in Tampa, who we met before our mini show and wanted to hang out in the hotel later. So we did that and just had a great time, networking and drinking. Nothing better than that. After staying up late both nights, got denied access into SOME bars (damn), having deep crew-to-crew, heart-to-hearts about our station itself, and drinking until we 5 AM (Thanks, Spring Ahead!), our time at IBS was over. We walked our hungover asses back to Port Authority, hopped on our bus back to nowheresville, PA and passed out. IBS had minimal drama, much money spent, and a great time with great people had by all. I cannot wait until next year. What a perfect ending to a work-a-holic Spring Break; for me at least. Hopefully, the connections we made will help of us at KUR find our way to success. Only time will tell, my friends. Only time will tell.

Another city landmark for KUR should be the Blarney Rock Pub on 33rd Street. I mean, we spent enough cash on beer and food to pretty buy a solid gold statue for the place, anyway.

*Jim's take, pictures, stories, and sober realiziations to come later! I love college radio!

Back In Kutztown/From IBS, With Crusty Sand On Our Toes

Well, not really; we weren't really at any beach. But we were in a giant apple! New York City for the IBS Convention (oh nine). We have stories and what not (like how myself and fellow KUR DJ Jon Durand hosted the funkiest dance fusion show, mixed with God knows what, on the face of the Earth!), but right now, I have to study. I love it when after a busy spring break, you just get hit in the face with a major test and two projects.

Good. Great. Grand. Wonderful.

No yelling on the bus.

(New poster and information to come, as well.)

Dear WRXP...

Can I have a job? School is tough and I just want to DJ. I'll take anything shift. Okay, thanks! Seriously, NYC now has a legit alternative rock station (even though they play some of the classics from time to time, but hey, you gotta appreciate it.) Plus, they have Matt Pinfield! The legendary Pinfield! Ex-120 Minutes host Pinfield! God, I wish I could be him. WRXP, "Discover new rock - now".
Here's the link:

www.1019rxp.com

This is a lovely discovery. This rekindles my faith in rock radio. True rock radio. WRXP, expect a call from me. You are amazing. Everyone, listen to the web stream.
You will be pleased!


Pinfield (in the mornings!) be praised!

The NMtM Crew Is Back @ The Big KU!

BELIEVE IT.

Hello all. This is the return...of THE BLOB!

I meant BLOG, not BLOB. Either or: scary stuff.

Well, another semester of college is at foot. Jim's tackling his last semester as a sophomore and I'm finishing out my junior year. Things are getting hectic already - meaning, crazy class schedules, the workload piling on, and stress out the wazoo. Kind of sucky, right? Not fair, eh? I agree. It has to get done though. My schedule makes me feel like an old man who hates his cubicle job, basically because I have a class in the same room for 4 HOURS! Insane. And that's the way my mind will go after the third week...probably.

I'll tell you what's a great relief: Rock Band 2.

Rock-rock-rock-a-way beach!

Rock Band 2 is an amazing game. I feel like such a freeloader because I just play my friends games, but I think I'd go out and buy a brand new video game system just for this game if I had to. Luckily, I got good, sharing friends. So many good songs. Here are my Top 5. Granted you can download more, but hey, Christmas season just ended!

5. Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Where'd You Go? (Rock band ska? Been a long time comin'!)
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Give It Away
3. The Replacements - Alex Chilton (Thank the good Lord this song made the game.)
2. Talking Heads - Psycho Killer
1. Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer (Oh, Jersey.)

Agree? Disagree? Play the game and let me know what you think!

In Never Mind the Mainstream related-news, and KUR news, I guess: Jim and I have sent in our free times and should know when we're on by next week. Let's cross our fingers that it's the same timeslot - that's prime time! KUR has a lot of enthusiastic kids on board and we're going to try out some new ideas, which I'll post on this blog. But in the mean time, go to the web site and click through the forums. Let's make those forums light up with posts, ya' know?!

We're glad to be back online and posting again. We're going to try not be lazy, but what do you expect? We're college kids. I'd rather have a beer then type more than I had to...unless something was on my mind. Haha.

Show reviews to come! As well as Jim's lists! Keep it here at this blog for awesome indie, alternative, and radio news! Peace!

P.S. I met John Mayer and Rob Thomas around Christmas time with 95.5 WPLJ out of New York City at some children's hopsital benefit. I'm such a nice guy for volunteering. No modesty on this blog. Anyway, John was eh... like most of you would predict, but Rob was cool. He called me brother (Hulk Hogan - sue him! You need the money!). He was once an alternative rock artists, right? 3 A.M.? Push? Smooth? Meh. I'll post a picture soon, if I can find one.

YAIS! U CAN HAZ BLOG!

November 21, 2008 (Playlist)

November 21, 2008 (Playlist):
“Our Eleventh Show: New York vs. Philly Edition!”

The Ramones – Rockaway Beach
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll
Talking Heads – Burning Down The House (Live)
Pattern Is Movement – Peach Trees
Interpol – Narc
Cortez! Cortez!! – Newspapers
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Cheated Hearts
Birdie Busch – Go Go Gadget Heart
Blondie – Union City Blue
The A-Sides – Cinematic
Sonic Youth – Teenage Riot

Illinois – Alone Again
New York Dolls – Trash
Good Old War – Coney Island
The Walkmen – Little House Of Savages
Boyz II Men – Mo’ Town Philly
Morningwood – New York Girls
The Roots – The Seed
The Strokes – Juicebox
The Dead Milkmen – Punk Rock Girl
Simon & Garfunkel – The Only Living Boy In New York

*Background music consisted of various songs by artists and bands from the cities of New York or Philadelphia, or songs about the two cities.

**The Winner of the NMTM New York vs. Philadelphia Showdown: PHILADELPHIA!

Wow, what a show. Many people said that this was our most entertaining and energetic show. And it had to be - it was a competition! Luckily for Jim, more people voted for his city, while my city got blown away, losing to Philly by over half the percentage of votes. Oh well, what can you do? Congratulations to Jim and the entire city of Philadelphia - first the World Series, and now, Never Mind the Mainstream! We had a lot of fun doing the show and we hope you had fun tuning, voting, and listening to our bickering. Mark my words, next time, NYC will be on top. We got only two more shows remaining! The NMTMies (our first annual award show) and then a Christmas Special to be aired on Christmas Day! So tune in and always keep it for the latest NMTM news. Thanks again for tuning in!

*Fan made poster by Camilo Gracia. Thanks, Cam!

New York City Vs. Philly - Tonight!

New York and Philadelphia go head-to-head tonight in a music battle for the Never Mind the Mainstream glory!

Only one city can win - your votes decide! Call in at (610)-683-4058 or IM us KURRequest to tell us which city rocks and which city fails miserably. We're taking calls all show long! Tune in @ kur.kutztown.edu.

The playlist is kept a secret to keep up with the competitive atmosphere, so you will not want to miss this! Tell a friend! C-ya at 6!

3 Days From Now...It Goes Down!

Do your worst, cities. Do. Your. Worst.

The Ultimate Battle! This Friday!

More to come later in the week...
As well as last Friday's Playlist!

Never Mind the Mainstream: It is so good.

Philly vs. NYC Show (Pushed Back 1 Week)

VS.

Only one can win. And your votes decide the winner!

Mike Pop will play music only from NYC and Jim Adair will play music only from Philadelphia.

Which is the better city?

THE SHOWDOWN BEGINS NOVEMBER 21st @ 6 PM!