And more from the new KBFR guy

Followup with the guy who took over KBFR (or more accurately.. 'pirated' the dormant name and logo of the original station).. From WestWord.

Pirating the old name and logo.. ballsy.. and so appropriate.

THAT's the spirit!

Westword story on KBFR

Nicely done Michael Roberts!

Roberts, a reporter at Westword, did a write up on KBFR that just shines.

It's exactly the kind of article the Boulder Daily Camera could have written, but didn't.  They wrote a trash piece and called the FCC.

Alternative media always seems to get it better than mainstream media.

I have to wonder why Boulder's weekly (the appropriately named The Boulder Weekly) hasn't done a story.  Maybe soon.

KBFR on the Web!

KBFR is online!

Check it out.

KBFR, again

I don't live in Boulder anymore (I'm a couple of states away) but it looks like someone pirated (heh) the old KBFR logo and name and is running a station in Boulder again.

A friend sent me this link to the local newspaper story.

I have to wonder about the reporter though. There was a time when the local newspaper would do things to help the local community. Supporting a pirate radio station that created some interesting diversity in town would be a nice thing for the local newspaper to do, don't you think?

It looks to me like the reporter either doesn't think that and is working in the interest of main stream media only, or he's not very bright. His name is John Aguilar and he is, apparently, the 'police and courts' reporter. Why the guy on the cop beat is doing a story on Pirate Radio I have no clue.

Normally, you'd write a piece on a station like this and you'd talk to people and the radio people involved and you'd put the story out there. The kind of story The Boulder Weekly would do, for instance.

This reporter actually called the FCC for comment. (no return call yet.. doh). Good god man.. what were you thinking? Either you wanted to screw with these new KBFR guys, or you're just stupid.

AND he called the local Clear Channel dickhead (Scott Arbough- KBCO program director) for his opinion. This is the guy that originally called the FCC on KBFR back in 2000 and complained, causing the first shutdown of the station. Asshole.

Apparently Scott also thinks it's hurting artists because 'they don't pay fees'.

Actually, no one in the US Radio market pays artists fees. They claim it's 'promotion' and don't have to (although the rest of the world DOES do it).

US radio stations pay a tiny bit (a small percentage of a penny) to the writers... but nothing to the artists. Guys like Scott are worse than the Republicans when it comes to bending the truth and when it suites them, outright lies.

Scott will call the FCC and complain, again. You can bet on it. Since he works for Clear Channel (the FCC's 'customer'... and hence, boss) the FCC will respond. Most likely soon.

So KBFR-reborn will have a half life of a few weeks. Maybe.

It's too bad really. We need more local community oriented radio, not pre-programmed pap from corporate giants. Here in Iowa, there are some pretty good local stations, but still alot of crappy Clear Channel stuff stuff as well.

The FCC was supposed to make sure THE PEOPLE had full and fair use of the natural resource of the radio waves. Instead, they've sold it off to the highest bidder to sell more shit to a society that defines itself by it's possessions. Pitiful.

Someday, maybe, The People will figure out they can do things like what KBFR is and take it back. If enough people do it, the FCC will have to deal with it.

They started with LPFM (Low Power FM) but Clear Channel, the NAB, NPR and some other incumbents managed to kill it off. See this story:

http://archive.boulderweekly.com/090601/coverstory.html

It makes me sad that even Boulder, once a town that embraced diversity and even weirdness, is becoming just another rich white 'I've got mine' enclave of elite assholes driving their Prius's and Scooters and $3000 titanium bikes to the rock climbing gym and then to Vic's for coffee and discussion on how their eco-friendly investment portfolio is doing.

Even Boulder, once a truly special place, has gone to the dogs.

I'm glad I left.

Hmmm.... who IS this?

From the Brighter Fusion Blog:

Boulder Free Radio lives on!

Categories: Personal |

Today I was thrilled to stumble across what appears to be a reincarnation of the local pirate radio station which went off the air in 2006.

It was at 93.9 (I believe), and it was playing some very German sounding techno/new wave stuff until it wasn’t anymore…a pirate identification and then just static.

According to the KBFR wiki page:

The original founder of KBFR, Monk, who recently moved out of the state, decided to leave all the equipment accumulated by the KBFR/Boulder Free Radio collective during its operations (2000-2005) to a new generation of underground radio enthusiasts. They can be found on several frequencies including 103.9, 102.7, 95.3 and at least 6 others. They often broadcast from parties, raves and cultural events.

As of 2008 a new group of Boulder pirates has emerged under the call letters KGLR (green light radio). They have taken the reins from Monk and presented a whole new station on 95.3 fm in Boulder, CO.

Pump up the volume…

Another one bites the dust

Rock radio KCUV closes doors.

The Denver Post

Article Last Updated: 09/04/2008 01:09:48 AM MDT

The owners of KCUV (102.3 FM), billed as "Colorado's Unique Voice," pulled the plug Sunday, marking the demise after five years of a local independent, progressive rock radio outlet in the competitive world of corporately owned, cookie-cutter radio programming. The company is now simulcasting KJAC "Jack" (105.5 FM) on the frequency. The station didn't have a huge fan base, but those who did listen were intensely loyal.

Sad and pitiful. We are becoming a McRadio society and the masses, it seems, don't really care.

KGLR gone (?)

Well, it seems there was some consternation among the KGLR crew and they've disappeared. Nothing on the airwaves for a couple of weeks now.

This is, I think, the biggest hurdle for radio pirates. How you're set up has alot to do with how effective you can be.

Doing pirate radio is, by nature, an act of passion, defiance and to a degree love. You've got to love it to do it because there just isn't alot of upside.

I wish the KGLR folks luck and hope they come back someday soon.