On Wednesday, 4 January 2006, a second radio station playing music I love was changed to a different format.
The first was WHFS, 99.1. Home of the infamous HFStival, HFS was really a fantastic station. I liked the onair personalities. I was just getting into their newest morning program as they had skewed from their sports base enough to keep me from rolling my eyes. Then, I believe in the spring of 2005, I turn on HFS and hear – latin music. Eh? Well, that’s not OVERLY strange, some of the alternative/rock bands do have those sounds sometimes. But it was also in Spanish. EH?! I keep listening and the DJ ends up speaking in Spanish, too. Damn it. What the HELL?! I switched over to 97.9 (98 Rock) and they are talking about the demise of HFS. Well. Frack. HFS is now El Zol – a Spanish radio station. Damn, damn, damn.
Now, it’s Z104. Z104 played a wide variety of alternative and rock – old school included. And the morning show – the Matthew Blades Radio Program – was utterly fantastic! I loved it. A refreshing change from Elliot over at DC101. I turn on Z104 on Thursday morning and get classical. Eh? What? That’s freaking weird as crap. I log onto the website when I get to work – and get a note. “By the way, Z104 is dead. WGMS, the classical station at 103.5, is now here. Enjoy!”
Well, frack AGAIN. The number of radio stations playing music I like – to my knowledge, anyway – has been narrowed to two. DC101 and 98 Rock. Wash FM – 97.1 – plays a bit too much mushy love crap for me. Mix 107.3 is not bad, but – again – sometimes too much of the crappy loveness. (Adult contemporary, I believe it is called.) Hot 99.5 plays waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much Rap for me. I really dislike turning on my radio and hearing “Let’s screw, baby! I’m rich and you know you want me.” Well, maybe I don’t. Ugh. Sometimes they play stuff I like, but not often. I think WPGC – 95.5 – is still playing things like that as well. At least, that’s what they played when I was in high school and I have little reason to believe they’ve changed format.
Damn, damn, damn. You stupid, coporate pains in my ass. I hate you in this moment. I hate you so much. Always about the bottom line. Screw the listener. Damn, damn, damn. No WONDER people are moving to satellite radio. Unfortunately, I can’t afford it – and I like the fact that free radio will play up and coming bands and the like. I adore finding new bands for listening.
So – here’s to you, HFS and Z104. You are sorely missed and I hate what they’ve done to you.
We only have one radio station here… and it’s usually not what I want to listen to… but don’t tell anyone I said that… the Beetle works there… or well, he DID until he went TAD but whatever… that’s still where we get our mail. Anyway, where was I going with this?? OH YES… sounds like it’s time to ipod your car. I am sooooooooo looking forward to getting our car done once we’re stateside. It’s pretty cheap too.
I don’t know you, but I too was wondering what happened to Z104, I searched on google, and one of the links lead to this site, and yes I agree with you, its so sad that Z104 is no more, it was my favorite station!!! None of the other stations have the perfect blend of music to my taste like Z104… aaaaaaargh!
Actually, satellite radio does have some interesting radio stations that support nothing but up and coming / underground bands. Depending on which provider you go with. I myself had Sirius Satellite and once I get back from the sandbox I am going to subscribe again. You may want to check it out and for like 13.00 a month it aint half bad.