Chaser Articles/Reviews

[hellokitty]

i can understand a bit of aus hip hop and some british stuff. that's just the way music is going and they have to follow the trends. And i think the sort of hip-hop and rap (they are two different things though mind you) that the J's cover are far different to what nova and 2 day fm (i'm assuming these are commercial stations) cover. Ie you wont hear 50 cent on JJJ

i ahte this fucking anti-everything thing they have going at the moment though

i read this interesting blog here

http://thealt.existangst.com/archives/000277.php

which i basically agree with except the sir veto stuff. they are shit and a filthy blot on the tasmanian music scene.

[sharleen]

I think what annoys me most is that Triple J think they are the essence of all that is cool. Stuff they played 5 years ago on radio they wouldn't dare play now, because it's not 'cool' anymore. I heard words to that effect used for Blur. What happened to judging music on its quality and the talent.? oh well.

I mean, if you were to hold a 'all-time' hottest 100 again, I would doubt that 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' would feature in top 5. A song that is a true alternative classic. Thats because the exposure of older-quality music isn't featured anymore. Its all about whats 'cool' now. The sort of excuse I would expect and understand from the likes of 2Day FM, not triple J who doesn't rely on commercial revenue. The disappearance of the weekly 3-hour J Files was particularly shameful.

And as for Triple J and the rap argument - i heard them playing Obie Trice the other morning. Music that is filled with sexist imagery and hate is something I don't want to hear on a youth station (no matter how far I'm out of their demographic).

I'm not down on any music styles like hip hop, techno whatever, but I appreciate a bit of intellegence in the selection. eg. Obie Trice/50 cent and the many clones = out, the likes of the Avalanches and 1200 Techniques = in.

I tend to agree with the blog above... I'd rather hear presenters who are passionate and have great knowledge of music (Richard kingsmill, Robbie Buck), rather than the likes of that request show presenter (Myf?)

[Laney]

Originally Posted by sharleen

Thats because the exposure of older-quality music isn't featured anymore. Its all about whats 'cool' now. The sort of excuse I would expect and understand from the likes of 2Day FM, not triple J who doesn't rely on commercial revenue.

Triple J may not rely on commercial revenue, but why should that determine what they play on air? They should play what people want to hear. People don't want to hear old stuff (and if they do, there's Super Request for that, and there's also 2WSFM). Don't forget Triple J is also playing musik from not so well known bands and Aussie bands. What would be the point of hammering out old quality musik (of those tunes, many of those bands wouldn't even be around anymore), when there are new upcoming bands who are trying to get just a bit of air-play.

Wow so many people cranky at the J's and unable to just turn it off when its poo. Tony Delroy is great tho, whoever posted that, I agree.

The Chaser boys are the best thing to happen to JJJ drive slot since Helen Razer did it years ago.

I reckon radio would be alot better if they didnt give so many programs to 2-bit comics. I really ike some of the arts and current affairs programs on Fbi and 2Ser, simply cause they're informative, intelligent and people arent trying to fill their 30 sec of air time between songs with lame-ass jokes. When did radio have to be funny?

[sharleen]

Laney. the point I'm trying to make is that they wouldn't play older music just on the point it's not cool anymore.

I think their new advertising emphasises that fact... they want to be seen as cool, and targeting for a 'cool' youth audience. I'm sure a lot of people who would normally listen to Triple J are no longer being catered for. I know I'm one of them, and its not cause of my age. I can remember in the early 90s that their target audience was something like ages 13-35, now it seems to be a narrower age 10-20. I'm not someone who clings desperately to one genre, or decade, or band... I'm just looking for quality and music thats not offered on your pop stations. Not something that the overseas press are hyping up or being played on high rotation at 2 Day FM.

You would hope that Triple J have the knowledge to pick music that will always remain good enough to be proudly played on their airwaves. They shouldn't be like your other stations who choose to play fad genres and throwaway tunes that are 'embarrassing' 6 months later. And because they don't have the commercial aspect hanging over their heads and the need to rely on advertising revenue, I don't see why thats so hard. They are there, funded by the government to be an alternative for youth. They are to provide a voice for youth culture, arts, and an outlet for alternative music. Whats so cultured, arty and alternative about Obie Trice? (but then thats a subjective comment from me... I'm sure that there are many who would have an argument for that)

The nature of the music industry beast is that bands are influenced by whats come before, therefore old music should not be a dirty word. I don't see why you should pigeonhole stuff into one station, as in your example, 2WS (I'm only 26, give me a break! That comment made me feel like I've got to give up life and become a geriatric. Am I too old to appreciate the likes of The White Stripes? And be ashamed for owning a best of Lesley Gore album as well?). eg. - I very much doubt you'll ever hear the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen on 2WS, though I bet everyone likes their song 'The Killing Moon' now cause it was on Donnie Darko. The point is, don't discount quality music be it old or new for playing on the likes of Triple J. I'm not saying that they should a percentage of old stuff, but they should widen their perspective to play new and old, every genre imaginable... not just focus on what is 'cool' for that month and then bombard us with song after song of soundalike rap/new-wave/metal whatever. Its called variety.

There are so many other things to pick on about JJJ right now, but I no energy left. But rest assured, it aint what it used to be.

My rant is over. Hurl abuse now.

[Mythor]

Originally Posted by Newtie

Wow so many people cranky at the J's and unable to just turn it off when its poo.

I don't listen to it except for when I know something/someone specific is going to be on, which is rare.
That was kinda the point.

Helen Razer remains one of the most overrated radio "personalities" of all time. I put her on a par with Merrick and Rosso. That's how bad I think she is. Using her as an example of how good JJJ is (was) isn't going to convince me, at least.

[Laney]

Let's say that Triple J's campaign is that of targeting for a "cool" youth audience. Regardless of whatever their campaign is, a campaign like that is hardly is not going to determine what they play on air. What is this "cool" even? What determines what they play on air are those no-named bands, new bands, etc.

I don't understand. You don't think Triple J caters for you, musik wise? Or could it possibly be that as you've grown, your tastes have changed?

"You would hope that Triple J have the knowledge to pick music that will always remain good enough to be proudly played on their airwaves."
Wellllll, i think they do. I do however believe that there are such songs as "old" songs and "new" songs. I was looking through my hottest 100s, (admittedly i only have back to 1993, so after that, fuck if i know what they played then), I love all the stuff they have on those albums, but at the same time, I don't want to hear most of those songs every day on the radio, that's WHY i have these CDs - so i can bring back the old, yet good musik. On radio however, i do want to hear new stuff, i like new stuff, new stuff isn't necessarily bad musik.

As for my 2WS comment - i'd like to just point out, i have 4 stations programmed into my walkman. 2WS is one of them, they have this 'old' stuff, i like 'old' stuff.


Eh, Triple J might not be what it used to be but meh. That doesn't stop it from being good, or at least being a whole lot better than the other radio stations.

[Cherryish]

Originally Posted by Laney

Let's say that Triple J's campaign is that of targeting for a "cool" youth audience. Regardless of whatever their campaign is, a campaign like that is hardly is not going to determine what they play on air.

I personally disagree with that, because if the advertise that they're "cool" and "enemy of the average" and all that, and then go against the image they're trying to portray, people are going to think they're stupid.

Or something...

[sharleen]

I don't feel I've grown out of the concept of Triple J, I just think that Triple J have lost their understanding of what their concept is meant to be. Get back to their roots - providing an outlet for youth in arts, culture and quality alternative music with a focus on local/Australian product. It doesn't need comics, famous names, or a 'cool' branding to be good. It just needs to concentrate on those concepts to be good and thus provide something that isnt provided anywhere else.

And outside of that, I sure as hell would love to see the results of a great 100 of all time now.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, I wish Charlie all the best in his move back to Melbourne and I expect big things from him next year at the comedy festival in his new solo show.

[Laney]

Originally Posted by Cherryish

I personally disagree with that, because if the advertise that they're "cool" and "enemy of the average" and all that, and then go against the image they're trying to portray, people are going to think they're stupid.

Or something...

...so why do they play so much musik from unknown bands (which lets face it, are often crap)? that's hardly "cool".


"And outside of that, I sure as hell would love to see the results of a great 100 of all time now. "
-I can't be sure of this really, but i think they sometimes have 1000 countdowns on Triple M. But I agree, i'd like to see an all time countdown.


okay, the end.

[Laurenandë]

The JJJ mission statement... or the closest I can find.

Personally, I like the mix of music they play. I don't like that it's repeated so often, but there you go. Some more old stuff would be nice but the only time you get to hear old stuff is Super-request and middawns and only if the announcer likes the old stuff. I think that there's just too much new music around for them to play decent amounts of old stuff. Then there's the thing that the announcers most people (drive and brekky) hear are playing from a set list of songs, and are only allowed I think, 3 choices of their own. Myf has a few more up her sleeve, though (she talks less).

And I'm looking forward to the new drive people. Though I will miss Charlie's little voiceovers all over the station, they were always amusing. And the courtesy wave. And Dools. And the weird-ass stories they tell about their weekends. That's it really, I kind of dislike their choice of music, lots more dance/hiphop etc than brekky.

Good luck Craig'n'Chris. *nods*

[newtberton]

Mythor, you have a pic of Tripod in your posts, so I cant take anything you say about comedy seriously.

As for Helen Razer, I dont think she was great comic. If you read my post correctly, I just think she was the last J drive presenter to do a good job. Thats just my opinion.

[SR]

Originally Posted by newtberton

Mythor, you have a pic of Tripod in your posts,

I could have sworn you said he had a picture of Tripod in his pants.

Maybe they call him the Tripod when he takes off his pants!

[Mythor]

You think a different taste in comedy invalidates my opinion on comedy. Therefore, I cannot take any opinion of yours seriously.

If you read my post correctly, you will note that I said nothing about Helen Razer's comedic ability.
I said she is one of the most overrated radio personalities of all time.
You might find her funny, or a good radio presenter. I find her to be an obnoxious, whiny, pompous git, intent on blaming all her character flaws on her childhood.

Well, to be accurate, her public persona. I do not know her personally, nor do I claim to.

Everyone raves about how wonderful she was and I just don't see it. I found Mikey/Jen/Paul/Sandy/et al, sans Helen, to be far more enjoyable presenter/s.

If that makes me a bad person with no judgement in your eyes, I frankly couldn't give a flying fuck. If you're going to be a judgemental ass like that, why would I (or, indeed, anyone) care to be held in high regard by you?



This is why I have so little respect for many comedians, if anyone was wondering.

*wanders off*