Heritage Rock’s Special Mix: Add Just Enough New Music to Classic Playlist That You Don’t Scare Away Older Listeners
By The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio
Jan. 26–Last week I yammered some about the classic rock versus heritage rock debate that apparently rages only in my head. Well, I’ve talked to WONE (97.5-FM) afternoon drive guy and program director T.K. O’Grady, and I can now rest easier at night knowing the difference between the two.
What? You’d like to sleep better, too? OK, here you go:
“Basically, classic rock stations play nothing but classic rock and with heritage rock stations you get your steady diet of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, but you’ll also get a few `currents’ such as Shinedown’s Save Me or Nickelback,” O’Grady said.
He added that WONE falls under the heritage rubric because alongside the usual suspects they’ll throw in someone newer, but established, such as Audioslave, at a ratio of approximately 1 to 9. But, the format’s bread and butter is still the old warhorses. For many stations, those include ’80s and ’90s bands such as Nirvana, U2 and Soundgarden. But don’t expect to hear the new Strokes single on a heritage rock station.
“We aren’t going to be breaking any new music. You’re not going to turn on (W)ONE and hear anything brand new or if it’s (a band’s) first album and they might be giants in the future. It’s more likely to be somebody with a track record,” he said.
In other words, programmers look at the top 10 to 15 tracks from the mainstream/active rock charts, particularly eyeing guitar-driven bands that have had a few bona fide, high-charting tunes (3 Doors Down, Staind, Foo Fighters equal yes. Keane, Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie equal no). They then add a few of those tunes to the playlist to help the typical 35- to 54-year-old classic rock audience get a taste of what the kids (the eternally desired 18-34 market) are listening to without scaring anyone too much.
“It’s like saying `we love our classic rock but we also like to keep a hand in the new music,’ ” O’Grady said by way of example. “We’re still cool but we’re not that cool.”
Stuff to see and hear
Henry Rollins apparently likes Akron. The punk elder statesman, actor, writer and monologist is making a return appearance at Thursday’s Lounge on Feb. 13, which also happens to be his birthday. Legend has it that Rollins’ birthday shows are something special and are often recorded.
In addition, Rollins has been hosting the Henry’s Film Corner show on the Independent Film Channel, which gives him the opportunity to talk to many famous folks and add new stories to his many misadventures.
If you are such a big fan that you feel compelled to get him a birthday present, may we suggest a year’s supply of protein shakes, one of those stress-relieving squeeze toys with the bulging eyes, or perhaps the deluxe DVD edition of Bad Boys 2 featuring Mr. Rollins as a SWAT team member?
Also, it’ll be the day before Valentine’s Day, which will likely stir up some reminiscences of Rollins’ storied, troubled love life.
Thursday’s isn’t very large so if you want to bask in the sweat and testosterone that still oozes from Rollins’ every pore, and you were lucky enough to get a ticket before the show sold out, get there early.
Locals at Lime Spider
On Saturday, local musicians will display their talents at the Lime Spider in Akron.
Featuring former members of Poets of Another Breed, Jnub and area rappers Chaka and Gator, the evening should be a beat-heavy melange of old school and new school hip-hop, improvisational space funk rock, downbeat IDM-laced instrumentals and some abstract shoe-gazing psychedelia.
Performers will be Honeypot, Low in the Sky, Totally Awesome and Texas-based band Mazinga Phaser II. Honeypot, with Gator and Chaka, is currently finishing up a new album and will be performing songs from the record both with a DJ and with Low in the Sky.
Sky will be playing some of the songs from their most recent low-key groove fest, Dear Birds.
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at 330-996-3758 or mabram@thebeaconjournal.com
—–
Copyright (c) 2006, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.