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New Sat morning radio show needs a name... help!

Posted at 8:51 AM on October 15, 2009 by Jim McGuinn (43 Comments)
Filed under: Teenage Kicks

If we were writing a personal about the headlined topic, it might look like this -

Desperating seeking retro show name. Email or leave a comment below. Music from late 70s to early 90s. Life before Nirvana. Help!

This Saturday morning we're launching a new show from 8am-10am on the Current - the show will delve into the history of Alternative music - from punk to grunge, with an emphasis on the late '70s to the late '80s era when post-punk or indie or modern or college rock (or whatever you want to call it) was first emerging as an alternative culture to the mainstream - think bands like Talking Heads, Smiths, INXS, Specials, R.E.M., and thousands more... and after several brainstorming sessions, we still feel like we haven't found the right name yet.

So here's where you can help - let's have a virtual brainstorm - chip in your ideas here, leave comments on other folks', and maybe you'll be the person who names our new show.

AND as an incentive, if we use your idea, we'll hook you up with a couple of CDs - recent reissues from Radiohead (Kid A) and Beastie Boys (Ill Communication).

Comments (43)

Simple names are usually the best. How about "Alternative Histories"?

Posted by Will Strootman | October 15, 2009 9:26 AM

Saturday Morning Tunes!

Y'know, cartoons. Toons. hur hur.

Actually, I like 'Life Before Nirvana'.

Posted by LK | October 15, 2009 9:26 AM

Before Grunge

Posted by caren | October 15, 2009 9:27 AM

PreVana

Before the Plaid

Alt Vault

Past Blast

Posted by Chris | October 15, 2009 9:28 AM

Since Nirvana were heavily influenced by the Pixies, maybe it should be called "Life before the Pixies".

Posted by allan pointon | October 15, 2009 9:32 AM

Flannel Not Required

or is that to cheesy?

Posted by Derek Schille | October 15, 2009 9:34 AM

My suggestion:

Slow Wave Radio - Alternative Music Before REM

- Slow Wave sleep being the type of sleep prior to REM sleep

- I would suggest that REM was accepted by the mainstream more than Nirvana ever was.

Cheers,

B

Posted by Ben | October 15, 2009 9:35 AM

"Before Alt Was In"

"Off The Charts"

Posted by Patrick | October 15, 2009 9:36 AM

"The Indie Rock Revolution"

Posted by Jeremiah | October 15, 2009 9:36 AM

Happathy Days

I actually really like 'Alt Valut'. Good one, Chris

Posted by Bret | October 15, 2009 9:37 AM

"Sonically Replaced by Nirvana"

Short and gives a shout out to two of the more popular pre Nirvana alt bands.

Craig

Posted by Craig | October 15, 2009 9:42 AM

How about:
"College Rock: History 101"
or
"Shoegazing through the Eighties
or
"Hijacked airwaves, the untold history of how college student radio stations turned the dial"

o.k. thanks for the creative break :)

Posted by Tim Stouffer | October 15, 2009 9:43 AM

oh, just thought "Altered States" or "Altered Station"

Posted by Tim Stouffer | October 15, 2009 9:48 AM

How about AC, Alternating Current?...

Works on many levels.

Posted by Jayson Slinger | October 15, 2009 9:51 AM

It would be cool to pay homage to the twin cities' own Suicide Commandos..."Attacking the Beat"?

Posted by Jen | October 15, 2009 9:51 AM

Scene Starters
or
Prelude (H)our

Posted by Teresa | October 15, 2009 10:15 AM

"Cosmic slop"?
I could suggest a couple of good dj's. ;)

Posted by Andy | October 15, 2009 10:19 AM

Saturday Morning Alt Tunes?

LK beat me to the punch on that one a bit...

Getting cheesier, you could go...

Old Skool Morning Alt Tunes.

...or...

1980 B.C. (Before Cobain)

...or...

Smells Like Alt Spirit

yeah...maybe you shouldn't use that last one...

Posted by Andy | October 15, 2009 10:19 AM

The Gen X Experience

Posted by Jesse Hafemeister | October 15, 2009 10:20 AM

The Verge of Divergence

- or -

The Urge for Divergence


Posted by Andy S. | October 15, 2009 10:23 AM

Maybe the Alt Vault?

Posted by Justin | October 15, 2009 10:30 AM

How did I get here? (nod to the Talking Heads)

I like Alternative Histories and the Alt Vault as well.

This should be a good show- Thanks!

Posted by Jason | October 15, 2009 11:20 AM

How about "Past Perfect"?

Posted by wellst | October 15, 2009 11:31 AM

...And if you must use the term "alternative", you could have a tagline of "BEFORE ALTERNATIVE WASN'T"... just a thought.

Posted by wellst | October 15, 2009 11:46 AM

Ok. one more addition:

Past Perfect: Remembering The Future of Rock N' Roll...

I'm done now.

Posted by wellst | October 15, 2009 11:50 AM

Alt Vault is pretty catchy.

How about "Hey Kids(?), Rock and Roll"

Posted by Justin | October 15, 2009 12:08 PM

vinyl arcade

Posted by Kevin Sullivan | October 15, 2009 1:00 PM

What's The Alternative?

Posted by Garry Borden | October 15, 2009 1:05 PM

another vote for alt vault! simple and to the point. what's all this silly talk of nirvana?

Posted by becks | October 15, 2009 1:37 PM

Grungeless

Posted by Mark | October 15, 2009 2:16 PM

Underground Rewound

Posted by Stephanie | October 15, 2009 2:23 PM

The Current Past

Posted by Jason | October 15, 2009 2:50 PM

My Mom Says I'm Alternative

A little too long maybe

Posted by Derek | October 15, 2009 3:27 PM

Through The Past Alternatively

Songs From The Big Post (or Past)

No Wave

After We Were Punks

Bastards of the Classic

Fear of Disco

Posted by Stephen Kohlmann | October 15, 2009 3:53 PM

I have a name to submit. My name is Lyle Ferguson . I live in St. Paul. I am a local artist who has performed in theater and have DJ-ed when the opportunity prevailed itself in the twin cities. I have been holding onto this name for something special.

I was very thankful to the Current for providing me with a ticket to Rock the Garden this past summer 2009. Hopefully I can give something back.

My sister has a saying. My sister is a christian, so she rarely uses profanity-but she has children and sometimes she cant help herself. But when she does use profanity, she disguises it. The word SHIT now becomes SUGAR HOT ICE TEA.

My name is for the new Current show; let me emphasize I love The Current- I will soon become a legitimate member - I say- the new show should be named ' OLD SUGAR HOT ICE TEA'.

Let me know what you think.

Posted by Lyle Ferguson | October 15, 2009 6:12 PM

or nevermind Nevermind, here's the alt godfathers of alt
or nevermind Nevermind, here's what came before " Come As You Are"
or 120 minutes before grunge
or I don't know. whatever. nevermind.

Posted by nevermind Nevermind | October 15, 2009 8:11 PM

Retro Modern

Posted by Lane | October 15, 2009 10:33 PM

'Retro Modern'
Simple, and it fits. At the time, much of this music was considered 'modern'. 'Alternative' came after and included the 'grunge' sound coming out of Seattle.

Posted by Lane B | October 15, 2009 10:38 PM

How about paying tribute to the Smiths?
"Hang the DJ?"
Too bad the show isn't on Sunday-- because you could totally do "Everyday Is Like Sunday"

Posted by Matt | October 15, 2009 10:46 PM

I can't think of a name, but I really liked these suggestions made by fellow listeners:
"Alt Vault" & "Underground Rewound".
I think either of those would make a great name. I can't wait- it sounds like it's going to be an awesome show!

Posted by Rachel Ahrndt | October 15, 2009 10:56 PM

"Alt Vault"
FTW

Posted by SF | October 16, 2009 9:00 AM

Teenage Kicks? I was really excited that might name--Alt Vault--was going to win by popular demand. What gives?

Posted by Justin | October 17, 2009 9:10 AM

We ultimately went with Teenage Kicks, but big ups to Chris, who suggested Alt Vault, which was among the finalists as we were deciding what to call this thing. Hope you guys heard it last Sat, if not, be sure to tune in this weekend on Sat morn from 8-10 for the second episode of Teenage Kicks! - Jim McGuinn, Program Director

Posted by jim mcguinn | October 22, 2009 3:51 PM

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