Talk:WPJX

WPJX Format

The radio industry has standardized classifications for formats, also used here on Wikipedia. Wikipedia defines Active Rock in part as:

"An active rock station plays music by hard rock and heavy metal artists from the mid-1990s to the present day, particularly those artists which are often absent from alternative rock or classic rock radio playlists."

The Arbitron ratings do not classify any station in North America as "heavy metal." The format used for ratings and advertising agencies and trade publications is universally "active rock."

An active rock station can play heavy metal, but the format name is "active rock." In the same sense that a Contemporary Hits station can play dance, R&B, pop, or rock but is not defined as a format by any of those labels.

The user insisting on calling the station "heavy metal" is focused on secondary press sources that define WPJX as "heavy metal/hard rock." In other words, what is defined on Wikipedia itself and Arbitron as "active rock." The previous incarnation of the station is also referred to as "hard rock."

This debate is easily solved by classifying WPJX as what it is. An active rock format. Insisting on calling it "heavy metal" is simply the preference of one user.

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Using your logic then, you need to call every Adult Contemporary, Hot Adult Contemporary, R&B, Hip Hop, Classic Hip Hop, Dance radio station a CHR station.

A CHR station can play various types of music, but those same types get their own formats/labels that you allow, but Heavy Metal is not allowed?

Arbitron no longer exists since 2013 when the company was bought be Nielsen. Does not matter what any rating service goes by anyways. Since when is that a law? WPJX does not subscribe to Nielsen, and neither do many other small radio stations. Since when does a label used by a rating service dictate the format that a radio station decides to program?

There are many artists heard on Active Rock which are NEVER played on Rebel Radio WPJX. For example, you will NEVER hear on Rebel Radio: Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Nickelback, Shinedown, Saving Abel.

Rebel Radio's Heavy Metal format was founded a quarter century ago in 1994 (on WKTA Evanston, Illinois), long before some programming consultants concocted the 'Active Rock' label in the late 90's / early 2000's. Furthermore, Scott Davidson (Rebel Radio Founder and current CEO / DJ) got started playing Heavy Metal over 30 years ago in 1989 on G-Force 1330 (also on WKTA).

Your comments are totally inaccurate and funny: "This debate is easily solved by classifying WPJX as what it is. An active rock format. Insisting on calling it "heavy metal" is simply the preference of one user."

The format IS Heavy Metal. Rebel Radio NEVER was Active Rock, and it is not now. And no, this isn't just the preference of one user. In fact, all of the staff at the station and the listeners know that Rebel Radio IS a Heavy Metal radio station, so now this debate is easily solved.

I invite you to read the Wikipedia article on Heavy Metal, so you can learn. Read the Wikipedia article on Z Rock. That article does not say the format at Z Rock was Active Rock, does it?

WPJX AM & FM is one of the only full time, commercial Heavy Metal radio stations in the USA. The only others I know of: KGSR-HD3 Austin, Texas (No Control Radio), WKBU-HD2 New Orleans & KISW-HD2 Seattle (Entercom's Metal Militia, formerly 'The Metal Channel'), WSOU South Orange, New Jersey (Seton Hall University, non commercial), WXNK AM & FM Shell Lake, Wisconsin (The Ink, 80's based Hard Rock / Heavy Metal).

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You are absolutely inaccurate, and you seem to be very upset specifically regarding Rebel Radio, especially since you're clearly from the Chicagoland area. I'm wondering if you have some connection to the station.

At any rate, you've made numerous inaccurate statements here. First of all - "adult contemporary" is a clearly defined industry format, also defined here on Wikipedia. "Adult Contemporary" may CONTAIN certain genres of music - just as Active Rock may CONTAIN metal, but the format nomenclature remains.

The issue is not what WPJX calls themselves, or what blogs and references call the format. But if it were, the linked sources here clearly label the format as "heavy metal/hard rock." So even these sources are not labelling the format as strictly heavy metal. Active Rock ENCOMPASSES the heavy metal and hard rock genres.

Even the Rebel Radio "about" page contains the phrase "hard rock AND heavy metal" which proves the format is not exclusively metal. They also program a punk rock programme, which again proves the format is not exclusively metal and is most accurately described as Active Rock.

The issue is also not that WPJX does not play certain artists that other stations play. The issue is purely that your personal opinion of the format, or the opinion of the station staff or the listeners (which one might suspect you of being a staffer or fan) does not match up with the accepted conventions for radio formats on Wikipedia. Your opinion is original research.

Your mention of Z-Rock also is a defeater of your argument. Z-Rock was a commercial format syndicated to numerous major market stations that has had multiple, documented in trades adjustments during the run of their format, and it was considered Active Rock for most of its tenure playing many of the bands you cited in your comment, along with harder classic rock, punk and alternative. WSOU is listed as "Active Rock" here on Wikipedia. It's defined as playing "a modern active rock format, featuring heavy metal, punk, emo, hardcore and post-hardcore as well as other types of rock-based music." WXNK is also listed as Active Rock.

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Very clear that you don't know what you are talking about! You think that you know everything, but you don't. You have made many innacurate statements.

Read this article from the Chicago Tribune. It says the format of Rebel Radio WPJX is Heavy Metal!

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lincolnshire/chi-ugc-article-heavy-metal-underground-music-station-rebel-2015-09-02-story.html

So we have: Chicago Tribune, Robert Feder (well known Chicago media columnist), Illinois Entertainer, Radio Insight, Northpine.com, columnist James Van Osdol, all say that Rebel Radio is Heavy Metal. Everyone except for you. And what I say is just my opinion, right?

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It's very clear you want a fight with me based on your personal opinion. Many of those citations call it a "heavy metal/HARD ROCK" format. If you would read the definition of Active Rock here on Wikipedia, you would see clearly that Active Rock encompasses heavy metal and hard rock genres. Thus, the format is active rock. Period. Stop the emotional overreactions and the edit warring. The stations you cited are defined here as active rock, and that is the acceptable nomenclature for the format of what appears to be either your employer or your personal favorite station.

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https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lincolnshire/chi-ugc-article-heavy-metal-underground-music-station-rebel-2015-09-02-story.html

"Rebel Radio stays ROCK HARD for 21 years! Chicagoland's favorite —heavy metal, underground Station, Rebel Radio, founded by Scott Davidson, has been crankin' up and crankin' out the best in —heavy metal since July 10th, 1994"

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171011/rebel-radio-returns-to-chicago-suburbs/

"The —Heavy Metal “Rebel Radio” brand that has bounced around signals in the greater Chicago area for over two decades as found a new 24/7 home on Polnet Communications 1500 WPJX/92.5 W223CN Zion"

Actually it's very clear that YOU want a fight based YOUR personal opinion. You have a lame excuse for everything. And you think that you know everything, but you don't. YOU ARE FLAT OUT WRONG! In this case, it does not matter that Active Rock ecompasses different styles of music. Rebel Radio WPJX programs a specific type of music: HEAVY METAL. Period! Did you forget / choose to ignore what I already said?: There is much music heard on Active Rock radio stations (Grunge, post Grunge, pop Grunge) that Rebel Radio NEVER plays, and vice versa. Does Active Rock radio play: Iced Earth, Manowar, UFO, SOiL, Lynch Mob, Doro, Accept, Ellefson, Soulfly? I can go on and on.

Not one of those citations listed above call the format Active Rock. NONE!

As long as you like to use the word "encompass" so much, take a look at CHR. That format encompasses many different types of music too (Pop, Adult Contemporary, Hot Adult Contemporary, R&B, Hip Hop, Classic Hip Hop, etc.), but those types are allowed radio station format categories too on Wikipedia, but Heavy Metal isn't allowed? I wonder why?

Actually the radio stations that I cited are Heavy Metal regardless of what Wikipedia says. In fact, a couple of the stations that named DID indicate that the format is Heavy Metal (as of yesterday) on Wikipedia.

Your comment about what is "acceptable nomenclature" and what isn't is only your opinion. It does not matter what format names Nielsen goes by (the actual name the company is Nielsen, not Arbitron as you incorrectly indicated). That company is an independent business that has no authority or relevancy as to what the format Rebel Radio WPJX broadcasts. Does Nielsen make laws that everyone is required to adhere to? Are they the radio police? By the way, WPJX does not subscribe to Nielsen (just like many other small radio stations do not). Do you have the money to pay the thousands of dollars per month for their inaccurate ratings (which are nothing more than a wild guess based on a very small sample).

I find it very interesting that you bring up the Punk Rock specialty show. That is a 1 hour show which airs 1 day per week. So that justifies changing the format of WPJX to Active Rock? There many radio stations across the country which air specialty shows for short periods of time, but that does not change the station's primary format. For example, WBBM airs Chicago Bears football and Old Time Radio Dramas for 1 hour at midnight on weeknights. Should the format name be changed from All News to Variety instead? Another example, WGN airs Frank Sinatra music on Sunday mornings and Old Time Radio Dramas late at night on weekends. Should the format name be changed from Talk to Variety?

I wonder why you forgot to mention the other specialty shows that Rebel Radio WPJX airs?: A Layer Of Slayer, Sabbath Six Pack, Friday Night Live, Metal Remake, The Mosh Pit. What about those shows? Is it because those shows are Heavy Metal, and you have an agenda so they don't get mentioned?

By the way, the reason why Rebel Radio WPJX airs a Punk Rock Show for 1 hour on Sunday nights is that Punk Rock is heavy music ignored by every other corporate radio station just like Heavy Metal is. Also, Thrash Heavy Metal music is influenced by Punk, and vice versa.

What you don't get is that Rebel Radio is anti-corporate radio. That's what the name 'Rebel Radio' means. The radio station is —rebelling against the corporate programming heard on most other radio stations. Again, Rebel Radio was founded in 1994, and Scott Davidson got his start in 1989 at Heavy Metal G-Force 1330 (on WKTA Evanston), which is a decade BEFORE some corporate radio consultants concocted the 'Active Rock' label. There is plenty of Grunge / post Grunge / pop Grunge which is common on Active Rock, but is never played on Rebel Radio WPJX.

Have you listened to the Rebel Radio stream? You will notice after listening for 5 minutes that Rebel Radio WPJX is much different than any Active Rock radio station.

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What you or I consider what's on their stream to be is irrelevant. The industry nomenclature used for WSOU and WXNK is "Active Rock." Go read those articles. Then read "Active Rock." Active rock includes heavy metal, but the radio format is "Active Rock." Heavy Metal is a musical genre which in broadcast terms is played under the umbrella of "Active Rock."

Look at this from WSOU's article on Wikipedia:

"The station currently broadcasts a modern active rock format, featuring heavy metal, punk, emo, hardcore and post-hardcore as well as other types of rock-based music."

No one is asking what bands WPJX does not play. That's subjective. Not every station in ANY format plays all of the same bands. None of the stations you named are listed as "Heavy Metal." I do not include the HD2 as HD2 channels are notoriously fickle, often removed, changed, etc. So an HD2 channel listed as "Heavy Metal" would not be relevant to the format of WPJX, even if it were NOT Active Rock.

You are being very emotional about this subject, going as far as to extend your rant into an emotional defense of a singular programmer of a single radio station. The name of WPJX's programming "Rebel Radio" is no more relevant than if it were called The Fox or The Hound. Mr. Davidson and his career are not the subject of the article, or an issue of discussion. It doesn't matter if WPJX's "Rebel Radio" programming is an individual, a corporation or a non profit.

The format descriptor of Active Rock stands. Troll on behalf of your favorite station elsewhere.

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No, the correct format of Rebel Radio WPJX IS: Heavy Metal, and that description stands. Sounds like you are the troll, trying to change the format of WPJX to whatever you want. By the way, the name 'Rebel Radio' IS totally relevant because the name describes the mission of the radio station: a REBELLION against corporate radio. Is that too difficult for you to understand?

Again, there is NO law that indicates a radio station can not have a format that falls under the umbrella of another format! If that were the case, all: Adult Contemporary, Hot Adult Contemporary, R&B, Hip Hop, Classic Hip Hop radio station should be called CHR according to your logic because they fall "under the umbrella" of CHR, right?

Take note that I am asking you a question. Seems like don't want to answer any of the questions that I ask.

You keep forgetting that Rebel Radio started in 1994 (and 1989 at G-Force 1330), which is long BEFORE some corporate, programming consultants invented the label 'Active Rock'.

The name of the founder is: Scott Davidson, not 'Jameson'. You are wrong.

Do want to learn about "industry nomenclature"? Then read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_music

Heavy Metal is a nomenclature too that even has it's own article right here in Wikipedia!

Here's a link to another article about Rebel Radio. Just like my other 2 examples, NOBODY uses the description 'Active Rock'. Once again you are FLAT OUT 100% WRONG!:

https://jamesvanosdol.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/off-mic-scott-davidson-rebel-radio/

"I’ve been trading emails with Scott over the past month or so about his ongoing and wholly underground “Rebel Radio,” a metal outpost as pure in intent as it is in sound. Currently heard on AM 1500 WPJX and AM 1330 WKTA, “Rebel Radio” __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The active rock format originated before Scott Davidson. He is not the issue. Active rock was a format before 1994, even before 1989. It was known in a trade magazine "The Hard Report" as COR (Contemporary Oriented Rock) to differentiate it from Album Oriented Rock, to name one example. This is a fact known by radio professionals, and your opinion (and your emails with Mr. Davidson) are not relevant to this article.

Also not relevant is the mission of Rebel Radio against "corporate" radio. WPJX is owned by a corporation. If Mr. Jameson's operating the station out of some personal mission, that's his business but it's not relevant to Wikipedia or the radio industry why he does or does not play any type of music or what he names his radio station. He can call it The Carp for all it matters.

You seem to have a cause here. An anti "corporate radio" and pro heavy metal passion. That's fine for fan forums and personal media. But it doesn't belong on Wikipedia. CHR is Contemporary Hit Radio. A radio format that plays Contemporary Hits. Active Rock plays metal and hard rock. Take your misguided crusade elsewhere, Mr. Davidson (or fan.)

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Who is Mr. Jameson? Since you did not read what I wrote last time, once again his name is Scott Davidson--NOT Jameson. And, no I am not Mr. Jameson or Scott Davidson. I am a fan of the radio station (WPJX), and various other stations too. Is that against the law? (for a radio listener to make corrections here)

Once again you are WRONG. The label 'Active Rock' did NOT exist before the late 90's. It was invented by corporate radio consultants at that time.

Rebel Radio WPJX has a much different sound than 'Active Rock' radio stations, having preceded that label by a decade! Rebel Radio plays only Heavy Metal, a style of music that got started in the late 60's.

Once again, you will never hear: Grunge / post Grunge / pop Grunge (common music on Active Rock) on Rebel Radio WPJX AM & FM.

By the way, you never explained why Adult Contemporary / Hot Adult Contemporary / R&B / Hip Hop / Classic Hip Hop shouldn't be called CHR (because, after all CHR encompasses all of those genres)?

I have shown you links to several articles, and all of them say that Rebel Radio IS Heavy Metal. Not of one of the articles uses the phrase 'Active Rock'. These are sources which prove that you are wrong.

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Your "fan perspective" of WPJX is irrelevant. The term active rock existed in the radio trades long before anyone had ever heard of these small AM stations in the suburbs where Rebel Radio brokers time.

The late 90s? COR (which is one trade's term for active rock) existed long before the late 90s. Your obsession with "corporate radio consultants" is misguided at best, and agenda driven. Programmers and trades invented these descriptors - you are wrong on the dates and wrong on the origins.

I don't know what "pop grunge" is. It seems like another subjective label you're assigning to try and raise the profile of a station you're a fan of.

Active Rock includes metal and hard rock. Active Rock is a format. Stop the trolling.