KQLZ now “The Virus”
Don @ IdahoRadioNews | September 4, 2009I was so proud not to have gotten suckered late last year when Impact Radio temporarily launched “The Virus” Modern Rock format before ACTUALLY launching Wild 101.
This time – the Impact pulled a similar stunt in reverse. “The Bronco” lived for about three hours, before flipping to “The Virus” – a modern rock format.
I can’t pick up the station on my desk radio – will give it a listen shortly.
Hmm, Opie and Anthony’s channel on XM satellite radio is called “The Virus.”
Was Impact’s management not aware of that?
How long before XM’s lawyers contact Impact about infringement of their trademark?
Looks like someone went wild on Wikipedia with a “story” about the server being hacked…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KQLZ
KQLZ (99.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting an Country music format. Licensed to Mountain Home, Idaho, USA, the station serves the Boise area. The station is currently owned by Impact Radio Group.[1] KQLZ features programing from ABC Radio Network’s True Oldies Channel.[2]
On September 4, 2009 at 12 noon, KQLZ ended three days of stunting with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to become “99-1 The Bronco,” playing country music.
The move came after the demise of the syndicated “True Oldies Channel” and subsequent retirement of longtime Boise radio voice “Big” Jack Armstrong.
At 3:49pm on September 4, the Country format was abruptly stopped.
The station has been hacked into and the music library was deleted. It seems there is another change in progress.
After several hours, it looks like Alternative Rock is the format of choice – as “The Virus.”
The change appears to have been made by a user in Miami – the specific “hacked into” line was changed at 3:52 MDT…
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KQLZ&diff=311907536&oldid=311872531
Revision as of 21:51, 4 September 2009 (edit) (undo)
74.236.20.200 (talk)
adsl-074-236-020-200.sip.mia.bellsouth.net
Either way, it’s difficult to maintain stereo sync while driving here in Nampa with the signal coming off of Bennett…
Listening to 99.1 right now… here is my crappy repetition of what I heard (while typing on my laptop in my car, I cant get the signal in my house, but my car in the garage picks it up):
*1-2 minute “Virus” computer noises* “Greetings, life forms! Brace yourselves…” …then a countdown, sounds like an official format switch. “Plug into the music revolution… 99.1 the virus.” Then now playing: Float On by Modest Mouse.
Poor predictable Bart*, I mean Boise radio, I knew they were going to try and fool us somehow, I just didn’t know which formats they would choose. I heard the switchover to country at noon, and was disappointed, but later tuned into the station and found the modern rock we so needed.
Anyways, so far it’s been pretty good, I’ve heard a lot of good songs, including a Blink-182 song, which has been pretty scarce on The X lately(although Ian played a Blink song in his lunchbox today). I did notice that they played two Red Hot Chili Peppers songs within the span of 20 minutes though.
I also noticed one of their slogans is “Don’t touch that dial, it’s got The Virus on it!” which is pretty reminiscent of KOME 98.5 in San Jose, who in the 80’s had the slogan of “Don’t touch that dial, it’s got KOME on it!”(I hope that’s alright to post, it’s not completely blatant).
*Sorry, Simpsons reference!
That was quick..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KQLZ
For the record, I didn’t bite. I’m with Robin on this one from the other thread… This was a small-market “gotcha” that no one knew about outside of the oldies listeners and the readers on this blog. No press. No media teasers. No REAL build up. No nothing. Nobody knows what you’re doing… It will be interpreted as “business as usual” for Impact by the community; format du jour. When you knew that Jack wasn’t going along for the ride, this would’ve been a great opportunity to throw him a big fat retirement party. Make a big deal with a huge promotion and say,”Without Jack we just can’t go on playing oldies…” You get the idea. You had the key to a franchise in Big jack and you blew it. (not the first time we’ve seen Impact do that) Impact did a great job with the “Bob” launch and it has paid off. Again, this was tired and mediocre and just might backfire.
I noticed that the station uses different edits on some songs than The X does. For instance, the song “Hate Me” by Blue October has the beginning with the answering machine message cut out, but on all the airings on The X that I’ve heard it’s there.
The variety on 99.1’s new rock format is wide. From The Verve to Pearl Jam, and also playing tracks (not heard on most stations across the country) from radio rock generals like, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins. What has finally come to Boise is a station that will finally deliver bands such as Inner Party System, and MGMT, while mixing the new modern rock flavor with top 40 pop rock, like Linkin’ Park.
This station has true potential to stick it out for a long run if they play the format right. My expectation is Impact Radio will be competeting with KISS and The X on the rock that they play, while playing exlusive tracks you can’t hear anywhere else….like Wild 101.1.. So, we may get sick of it. But, it’s a good edition to Boise radio selection.
It seems to have a cross of The X, a bit of KISS and a lot more Z-Rock (lovely “letter” based branding) like here:
http://zrockfm.com/
Either way, I’m pretty happy with the change..
However…
Bennett falls on the edge of “rimshot” type station… Coverage is mediocre at best in the west end of the valley.
Oh and the 991trueoldies.com page is showing a single image “This page is under construction, Thank you” and it appears someone already registered/parked 991thevirus.com back on 8/14… Hmmm…
http://whois.domaintools.com/991thevirus.com
Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions for residents of Glenns Ferry, Hammett, and Hagerman! 99.1 and 100.7 are the only stations that area gets, and 100.7 is Spanish. I wonder what people in that area have been thinking about all of this “stunting,” on what is their only English language radio service. I seriously doubt that they will ever want to hear another Michael Jackson song again! I can’t help but wonder if the Mountain Home Walmart has recently seen an increase in the number of people purchasing iPods and Mp3 players…
Dammit, Tony. It was a Boxcar Racer song. If I’m going to get yelled at by my bosses, it had better be for the correct song!
Here is what I’ve gathered after leaving the radio on overnight. KQLZ is trying to capture listener interest by over repeating band/artists’ song or collection of songs in a small allotment of time. In about a little over an hour, I heard two RHCP songs. Same instance, but with Pearl Jam. Same instance (again), with Alice In Chains, Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots, and Muse. On the bright side, the rotation of songs not yet played on 99.1 do get featured. So, stay tuned and you will definitely hear something else…after the bands I’ve just mentioned (of course).
I’ve also noticed that The Virus is playing on the A.D.D. approach by playing songs that have been cut down to shorter playing times. This may be appealing to those unfamiliar with the band/artists’ that are featured, because radio listeners are accustomed to WANT to hear something that they are familiar with, unfortunately.
Is there a rep from Impact Radio that visits these boards that we may drop some recommendations of songs to be heard on the air?
Quoting Ian:
“Dammit, Tony. It was a Boxcar Racer song. If I’m going to get yelled at by my bosses, it had better be for the correct song!”
Ah, right. Close enough. As far as Blink-182 goes on The Virus, at first I was excited, but so far I have only heard two songs by them several times, “What’s My Age Again?” and “All The Small Things”. How about some others, like “Dammit”, “The Rock Show”, “Feeling This”? There are many other big Blink songs to play. And also, I just heard “Brain Stew” by Green Day, but it was not followed up by “Jaded”. What’s up with that?
I’m not going to judge this radio station station based on its first day. I’ll have to move this station from my FM-2 to my FM-1 presets. But unless they staff it with talent, I don’t think The X has much to sweat about.
IRock 102.1 in Twin is probably more nervous.
Poor signal + no jocks=1.5 share. It’s pretty easy math…..and I suck at math.
I all fairness, for a long time, we didn’t follow up Brain Stew with Jaded. It’s a station choice, I suppose…
“Brain Stew” without “Jaded” is like…”Heartbreaker” without “Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman)” or “We Will Rock You” without “We Are The Champions”…It’s just blasphemy!
If you play both stations at the same time… The signal actually sounds clear.
Did anyone notice KEGE in Pocatello flipped on Wednesday? Weird timing for alternative radio in Idaho.
And I heard “Dammit” today.
And, I don’t really like when Brain Stew and Jaded are put together..I liked it when we finally stopped playing it.
Yeah, I spoke a little too soon, I heard both” Dammit” and “Adam’s Song” today. I also was worried about Sublime, since I had only heard “Wrong Way” a few times, but they played “Smoke Two Joints” today as well.
Man, “Why Don’t You Get A Job?” by The Offspring is playing currently on The Virus! It must be ten years since I last heard that song on The X!
Can any alternative station just leave Sublime out of their play list? I’m sorry, but they have been overplayed since the day they debuted on MTV and radio……hate them.
Uhh… I think the station needs to take a look at Everlast’s “What It’s Like”, because I am pretty sure I just heard the line “Get a job, you f-in slob.” uncensored.
I don’t know why everyone is so excited about this radio station. It is almost exactly like X96 here in Salt Lake. I have heard radio stations like this before.
To be honest, f a rock radio station really wants to be good they would be like 101.9 WXRP in New York City. That is an excellent radio station. They are the Jack FM of rock.
Thought that there were about 4 or 5 edits of that song when i t came out…I remember one that said F- N slob, and one that had the whole thing bleeped…
Just heard some Sublime with Drug References! WAY TO GO IMPACT! Awesome!
I also want to welcome “Kevin and Bean” from KROQ to Boise airwaves in Morning Drive.
They sound like the X did when they were in. I’ll listen until my ipod is charged.
“Thought that there were about 4 or 5 edits of that song when i t came out…I remember one that said F- N slob, and one that had the whole thing bleeped…”
Yeah, but when I said F-in, I don’t mean they said that, the whole word was broadcasted uncensored, as well as the couple of occurrences of the S-word later in the song. That really surprised me, especially since the last few years The X has worked to make sure songs like “Brain Stew” “Got The Life” “40 Oz. To Freedom” and “Monkey Wrench” are censored(yes, I have noticed).
On a side note, I noticed the station has finally started playing commercials.
Wow, an acoustic version of 30 Seconds to Mars. Will the Virus be the only station in Boise that dares play something different?
Thank god! A station other than classic rock or pop. I’m a 1 yr newbie here in ID and desperately miss KROQ and Kevin & Bean, so I was thrilled to hear “the virus”. I listened to it Monday from just outside Sun Valley all the way to Star where I’ve gotten great reception the whole way. There is no way it could be as repetitive as 105.9 and X is too hard core for me and inappropriate to listen to around my kids. I couldn’t be happier.
The Virus can be heard on XM 202 & Sirius 197.
http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?ch=202
Opie & Anthony
Ron & Fez
I want to win the atmosphere tickets. I <3 'the virus'
what happened to 99.1 the virus??? I went to listen to it a couple days ago and nothing but news talk radio? I have listened to nothing but the sound’s of the other cars as they drive past me cause i can’t stand the rest of the stations here for forever, then i found that station and i was stoked! I guess i am back to listening to silence and the noises from the other cars:(