WXAV is the college radio station of Saint Xavier University in Chicago. WXAV serves the south and southwest side of Chicago, Illinois and its surrounding suburbs.

History

WXAV was started in 1977 by Saint Xavier student Chuck Floramo. Originally a wired radio station that could only be heard in Saint Xavier's cafeteria, WSXC as it was known, went on the air playing the hits of the day. In the early 1990s WSXC became a licensed radio station with the FCC and changed its call letters to WXAV and would broadcast for 12 hours a day.

In August 2002 WXAV began to broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when WBBM's Kris Kridel relaunched the radio station in an official ceremony.

In September 2010 Paste Magazine ran a poll and article discussing the 40 best low wattage radio stations in the country. WXAV was named to the list in the category of best stations that broadcast at 150 watts.

Format

The station's music format is officially registered as "alternative," but this title does not resemble the commercial radio format of the same name. The station's music is hand-picked by DJs on air and also takes in listener requests. The music tends to be rock music from the 1960s on, including metal, punk, indie, and industrial, with specialty programs throughout the week that feature Jazz and Classical music. WXAV has been playing local and unsigned bands since its inception, so be sure to call in and make your voice heard at (773)298-3386!

Public Affairs Programming

God Matters which is produced in conjunction with the Sisters of Mercy, who founded Saint Xavier University.

Guests

Here is a listing of musicians, comedians, and celebrities who have been interviewed by WXAV 88.3FM
Dane Cook

Dane Cook

Dane Jeffrey Cook is an American stand-up comedian and film actor. He has released five comedy albums: Harmful If Swallowed; Retaliation; Vicious Circle; Rough Around The Edges: Live From Madison Square Garden; and Isolated Incident. In 2006, Retaliation became the highest charting comedy album...

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The Whitest Kids U know
We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists is a New York-based indie rock band that formed in Berkeley, California in 2000. Originally formed of Keith Murray on drums, Chris Cain playing bass guitar and Scott Lamb providing vocals and guitar, before Michael Tapper became drummer and Keith became vocalist and guitarist...

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William Elliott Whitmore

William Elliott Whitmore

William Elliott Whitmore is an American blues singer and musician from Lee County, Iowa. He has recorded a number of albums released on Southern Records, and now is a member of the Anti Records family. His act consists mostly of playing the banjo or guitar while singing, though on occasion he...

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Charley Boorman

Charley Boorman

Charley Boorman is an English TV adventurer, travel writer and actor. He is well known for his association with motorcycles and enthusiasm for biking.-Education:...

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Clark Weber

Clark Weber

Clark Weber has been an American radio personality in Chicago, Illinois. He runs his own radio advertising consultancy, Clark Weber Associates. In July 2008 he published a book, Clark Weber's Rock and Roll Radio: The Fun Years, 1955-1975...

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Cory Chisel,
Amazing Baby

Amazing Baby

Amazing Baby is an American indie rock band based in Brooklyn, New York in 2008. The band began as an after-work collaboration between Will Roan, Will Berman and Simon O'Connor, who had known one another from the Brooklyn music scene, and who were working at the same ringtone company.The band's...

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Frightened Rabbit

Frightened Rabbit

Frightened Rabbit are a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene...

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Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring...

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The Music,
Local H

Local H

Local H is an American rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in Zion, Illinois in 1987. Local H's 1996 album, As Good as Dead, includes the top 10 hit "Bound for the Floor" Author, rock critic and Rolling Stone contributor Greg Kot and the Chicago Tribune named the band its 2008 Chicago...

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Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....

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Ziggy Marley

Ziggy Marley

David "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley...

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Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....

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Los Campesinos!

Los Campesinos!

Los Campesinos! are a seven piece indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in early 2006 at Cardiff University. Although the band formed in Wales, none of its members are Welsh. They released their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster..., in February 2008 and followed this up by releasing a record...

Killswitch Engage,
Lamb of God,
Anthrax

Anthrax

Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...

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MC Chris

Mc chris

mc chris is an American rapper, voice actor, writer and improvisational comedian....

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Shadows Fall,
Unearth,
Dropkick Murphys,
Atreyu,
Zakk Wylde,
Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....

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Every Time I Die,
As I Lay Dying,
Bayside

Bayside

Bayside may refer to a number of places:In the United States:*Bayside, California*Bayside High School , several schools in the U.S...

Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho

Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...

Mick Foley

Mick Foley

Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...

Ted Dibase

Sports

WXAV airs Saint Xavier University athletics including Cougar Football and Basketball. For a complete schedule of Saint Xavier University sporting events go to WXAV's official sports page

Beginning in 2009, WXAV became the official radio home of The Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League announced in an official press. In 2009 and again in 2010, WXAV broadcast 55 out of 96 regular season games, and in 2010 broadcast all of the Windy City Thunderbolts' playoff games.
The play by play announcer for the 2010 season was WXAV alumni and former Sports Director Terry Bonadonna

External links

• WXAV's Website
• WXAV at MySpace