KFNK
Encyclopedia
KSGX "The Brew 104-9" is an active rock
radio station
licensed to Eatonville, Washington
and serving the southern Puget Sound
region centered around Tacoma
.
). The signal went dormant in the early 1990s, as that station flipped to classic hits
and increased their power.
The frequency came back to air in 1996 as KJUN-FM, broadcasting a Country format. The call letters were changed to KKBY-FM sometime in 1998, but shortly afterwards, shifted formats to Urban Oldies as "Y 104.9". This was the second station in the Seattle market to air a Rhythmic/Urban Oldies/Rhythmic AC format (KBKS was the first from March 1996-February 1997; it is now a Top 40 station). This format only lasted for a very short time.
In 1999, the station flipped again to what is known as the frequency's well known format: a grunge rock/metal rock-emphasizing active rock
station known as "The Funky Monkey 104-9" (or "The Monkey 104-9"). The call letters were changed to KFNK. The station gained a noticeable presence in the South Puget Sound area as an alternative to commercially-owned stations KISW and KNDD
, which are both owned by Entercom. Even after Ackerly Communications bought the station from Rock on Radio, Inc. in 2001 (and later, Clear Channel
in 2002), the station still emphasized on listener participation and playing music that may not be heard elsewhere, as well as giving air time to local acts. The station also had a nationwide and worldwide presence, as the station streamed online throughout its history. The station briefly aired syndicated programming in 2001, such as the "Lex and Terry" morning show, which is based out of Dallas, Texas
. However, this led to low ratings, so the station dropped the show by 2002. However, the station aired syndicated programming again in 2010, when the station began carrying Nikki Sixx
's "Sixxth Sense" show. The station was somewhat anomalous in that it rarely had disc jockey
s hosting segments of airtime, and relied heavily on broadcast automation
, which the station capitalized on (as some of their liners included "without the dumb-ass DJ's and useless bullsh*t"). There was one full-time disk jockey, and 3 part-time air personalities did one show a week each. Most songs ended with a voiceover
identifying the song title and artist, also called a "backsell."
On November 10, 2010, at Noon, the station dropped its 11-year old active rock
format and flipped to a '90s-leaning adult hits
format as "GenX 104-9". The final songs on The Monkey were "Brass Monkey" by The Beastie Boys, "It's The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
" by R.E.M.
, and "Closing Time
" by Semisonic
. GenX's first songs were "Get Ready For This
" by 2 Unlimited
, and "Smells Like Teen Spirit
" by Nirvana
. The call letters were changed to KSGX on November 28. Throughout its life as "GenX", ratings for the station were not that great, usually peaking at a 0.3 share, as compared to The Monkey's, which usually hung around the 1 share.
On October 28, 2011, at 5 PM, the station dropped the "GenX" format and began stunting with Halloween music as "Freddy 104-9." The last song on GenX was "Hella Good
" by No Doubt
.
At 12:01 AM on November 1, 2011, the station reverted back to active rock
as "The Brew 104-9." The first song to air on The Brew was "Epic
" by Faith No More
.
, which also owns and operates six other radio stations in the Puget Sound region: KBKS-FM
(Top 40 Mainstream), KHHO
(Sports), KJR-FM
(Oldies), KJR (AM) and KNBQ
(Sports), and KUBE
(Rhythmic).
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to Eatonville, Washington
Eatonville, Washington
Eatonville is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,758 at the 2010 census.-History:For centuries, Indian people roamed the rivers and streams of the Eatonville area. Indian Henry was one of those who, in 1889, guided the town's founder, Thomas C. Van Eaton, from...
and serving the southern Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
region centered around Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
.
History
The 104.9 frequency first signed on in the late 1980s as translator K285AE that rebroadcast "K-Lite 95.7" (KLTX, now KJR-FMKJR-FM
KJR-FM is a Seattle, Washington,radio station that is broadcasting a classic hits format. It operates at 95.7 MHz at 98 kW, and also on the Internet via streaming audio. KJR-FM is owned by Clear Channel Communications, Inc.- KJR :...
). The signal went dormant in the early 1990s, as that station flipped to classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
and increased their power.
The frequency came back to air in 1996 as KJUN-FM, broadcasting a Country format. The call letters were changed to KKBY-FM sometime in 1998, but shortly afterwards, shifted formats to Urban Oldies as "Y 104.9". This was the second station in the Seattle market to air a Rhythmic/Urban Oldies/Rhythmic AC format (KBKS was the first from March 1996-February 1997; it is now a Top 40 station). This format only lasted for a very short time.
In 1999, the station flipped again to what is known as the frequency's well known format: a grunge rock/metal rock-emphasizing active rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
station known as "The Funky Monkey 104-9" (or "The Monkey 104-9"). The call letters were changed to KFNK. The station gained a noticeable presence in the South Puget Sound area as an alternative to commercially-owned stations KISW and KNDD
KNDD
KNDD , also known as "107.7 The End", is an alternative rock radio station in Seattle, Washington. It is operated by Entercom Communications Its studios are located in the Metropolitan Park West tower between Downtown and South Lake Union in Seattle...
, which are both owned by Entercom. Even after Ackerly Communications bought the station from Rock on Radio, Inc. in 2001 (and later, Clear Channel
Clear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
in 2002), the station still emphasized on listener participation and playing music that may not be heard elsewhere, as well as giving air time to local acts. The station also had a nationwide and worldwide presence, as the station streamed online throughout its history. The station briefly aired syndicated programming in 2001, such as the "Lex and Terry" morning show, which is based out of Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. However, this led to low ratings, so the station dropped the show by 2002. However, the station aired syndicated programming again in 2010, when the station began carrying Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer, best known as the co-founder and bassist of the band Mötley Crüe. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister band mate Lizzie Grey...
's "Sixxth Sense" show. The station was somewhat anomalous in that it rarely had disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
s hosting segments of airtime, and relied heavily on broadcast automation
Broadcast automation
Broadcast automation incorporates the use of broadcast programming technology to automate broadcasting operations. Used either at a broadcast network, radio station or a television station, it can run a facility in the absence of a human operator...
, which the station capitalized on (as some of their liners included "without the dumb-ass DJ's and useless bullsh*t"). There was one full-time disk jockey, and 3 part-time air personalities did one show a week each. Most songs ended with a voiceover
VoiceOver
VoiceOver is a screen reader built into Apple Inc.'s Mac OS X, iOS and iPod operating systems. By using VoiceOver, the user can access their Macintosh or iOS device based on spoken descriptions and, in the case of the Mac, the keyboard. The feature is designed to increase accessibility for blind...
identifying the song title and artist, also called a "backsell."
On November 10, 2010, at Noon, the station dropped its 11-year old active rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
format and flipped to a '90s-leaning adult hits
Adult hits
Adult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist...
format as "GenX 104-9". The final songs on The Monkey were "Brass Monkey" by The Beastie Boys, "It's The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
"It's the End of the World as We Know It " is a song by the rock band R.E.M., which appeared on their 1987 album Document, the 1988 compilation Eponymous, and the 2006 compilation And I Feel Fine... The Best of the I.R.S Years 1982–1987...
" by R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, and "Closing Time
Closing time
Closing Time may refer to:*Closing time, the time when a business establishment ceases operations for the day. In the case of a bar, this is called "last call" . Also called "bar time" when referring to the closing time of a bar or pub...
" by Semisonic
Semisonic
Semisonic is an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995. The band consisted of three members: Dan Wilson , John Munson , and Jacob Slichter...
. GenX's first songs were "Get Ready For This
Get Ready for This
"Get Ready for This" was later remixed and re-released for 2 Unlimited's compilation album Greatest Hits Remixes.-Dancemania:The song has appeared on the eurodance compilation Dancemania series albums, including Dancemania Super Techno II , Dancemania Speed 6 and Dancemania Super Techno Best...
" by 2 Unlimited
2 Unlimited
2 Unlimited is a Dutch Eurodance/Hi-NRG act formed in 1991. The project was the brainchild of Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde, and was fronted by a Dutch duo, rapper Ray Slijngaard and singer Anita Doth. During five years of enormous worldwide popularity, the act scored 16 chart...
, and "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" by Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
. The call letters were changed to KSGX on November 28. Throughout its life as "GenX", ratings for the station were not that great, usually peaking at a 0.3 share, as compared to The Monkey's, which usually hung around the 1 share.
On October 28, 2011, at 5 PM, the station dropped the "GenX" format and began stunting with Halloween music as "Freddy 104-9." The last song on GenX was "Hella Good
Hella Good
"Hella Good" is a song written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, and The Neptunes for No Doubt's fifth studio album Rock Steady . The song draws influence from electro, rock, and funk music...
" by No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
.
At 12:01 AM on November 1, 2011, the station reverted back to active rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
as "The Brew 104-9." The first song to air on The Brew was "Epic
Epic (song)
-American release:This version was released in America as a "Slash sticker" labelled 7" and as a cassette with a "Burning Splash" sleeve.-Australian release:The 7" and cassette versions of this release only had tracks 1 & 2, unlike the 12" which featured all 3....
" by Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
.
Ownership
KSGX is owned and operated by Clear Channel CommunicationsClear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
, which also owns and operates six other radio stations in the Puget Sound region: KBKS-FM
KBKS-FM
KBKS-FM , better known as "106.1 KISS FM", is a radio station in the Seattle, Washington area that plays current popular music. The Clear Channel outlet broadcasts at 106.1 MHz with an ERP of 68 kW and is licensed to Tacoma, Washington.-History:KBKS signed on the air in 1959 as KLAY-FM,...
(Top 40 Mainstream), KHHO
KHHO
KHHO is a radio station broadcasting a Sports radio format. Licensed to Tacoma, Washington, USA, the station serves the Tacoma portion of the Seattle-Tacoma radio market. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel and features programing from Fox Sports Radio and Premiere Radio Networks...
(Sports), KJR-FM
KJR-FM
KJR-FM is a Seattle, Washington,radio station that is broadcasting a classic hits format. It operates at 95.7 MHz at 98 kW, and also on the Internet via streaming audio. KJR-FM is owned by Clear Channel Communications, Inc.- KJR :...
(Oldies), KJR (AM) and KNBQ
KNBQ
KNBQ is a sports talk formatted radio station serving the Seattle-Tacoma area. The station is licensed to Centralia, Washington. It became active in the 1990s...
(Sports), and KUBE
KUBE
KUBE is a rhythmic contemporary radio station licensed in Seattle. The station's slogan is "Hits & Hip Hop." KUBE offers a mix of personality-driven DJs and current-based hit driven R&B/Hip-Hop fare...
(Rhythmic).