Brian Sauer
Boulder Planet
Compact discs line most walls, vinyl fills out the rest. Posters are everywhere: Some are upside down, crooked or just really old. These are remnants of the old guard, reminders that a time existed when this college radio station couldn't be heard even by the students themselves. Back then, DJs played music more or less for each other in the basement of the student union building.
Now, CU's radion station, Radio 1190 AM (KVCU), is on the rise thanks to the overwhelming support of students and even the general off-campus public who also claim the station as their own. With their one-year "birthday" coming up next month, they are using a two-week block to raise money through the "Buy A Watt" campaign. Listeners can buy a part of the station (not a literal part, though, for you lawyers out there) with each watt purchased. With a five-watt purchase, you get a free T-shirt and a License to Rock card (getting you discounts in stores and restaurants in Denver and Boulder).
Barely removed from CU myself, I somewhat expected the staff to be a bunch of yahoos before I walked in there last week to guest DJ during the "Watt" campaign. Quite the opposite: The staff in energetic, the DJs know their stuff and everyone in there has the unmistakable glow of people with a purpose...they're excited to be a part of something, even more so to be a part of a radio station.
With yet another giant merger in the corporate radio business, Radio 1190 is the only station in the Denver-Boulder area worth listening to. They pride themselves on taking requests and following through by actually playing those requests. The DJs chat callers when they ask for a certain band..."Oh, have you heard their new album yet?"..."Did you see them last time they came through town?" They care about the music, which is something the listeners take seriously, and something the corporate stations aren't allowed to care about.
Early November marks their one-year birthday and to celebrate, the station is throwing--what else?--a concert party. On Nov. 4 and 5 at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, the station will host some of the best local bands around. Night one features the Kalamath Brothers (with origional Slim Cessna member Frank Hauser, Jr., and Kevin from the origional 16 Horsepower lineup), the Down n' Outs, Sarina Simoom (with Chris Pearson of the Czars, Jux County, Velveteen Monster as well as the head of Velveteen Records, which has released albums by those bands and the Kalamath Brothers) and O'er the Rampart ( a brand new band featuring the lead singer from long-time Boulder band The Letches.
Night two will see atmospheric psychedelic rockers Space Team Electra, Munly (the one who wows us all either solo, with band, or as a part-time Slim Cessna mamber), Hoochie (the young Sonic Youth-ish trio who cut their teeth by opening for Mojo Nixon recently for their first live performance, and soon to open for Royal Trux) and The Pin Downs (an all-girl punk band).
Support the station that gives you what you need--great music. To "buy some Watts" you can call 303-735-ROCK (7625). For more information on their anniversary birthday bash, log on to www.radio1190.org. To make requests, call 303-492-1190.
I'd like to thank the station for giving me a reason to turn on my radio when it otherwise would gather dust. Thanks for the great music, great attitude and unbeatable spirit.