DWXB-FM

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WXB 102
City of license Metro Manila, Seattle
Broadcast area Worldwide through Live365
Branding WXB 102
Slogan "The Station That Dares To Be Different"
Format new wave, punk rock, dancepunk, synth pop, classic alternative
Owner Sutton Records
Website http://www.wxb102forever.com

DWXB-FM is a former FM station and current digital FM station that plays new wave, punk rock, dancepunk, synth pop and classic alternative from the UK, Philippines, and North America, available through Live365. Re-opened in 2005, WXB 102 is now owned and operated by a U.S. independent record label Sutton Records.

Contents

[edit] The Beginning

Nicknamed as "The Station That Dares To Be Different", DWXB-FM was the first all-New Wave music radio station in the Philippines. Broadcasting at 102.7 on the FM dial and from inside a house in Pasay City, Philippines, DWXB-FM, also referred to as WXB-102, acquired legendary status since it vanished from the airwaves on June 9, 1987. DWXB-FM captured the imaginations of Manila youth in the '80s, bringing New Wave music to the Philippine mainstream and inspiring regional rock artists such as The Dawn, The Identity Crisis, and Violent Playground, all of whom were championed by the station at a time when guitar-based OPM was ignored by the other local outlets with the exception of a weekly show on DZRJ-AM in the early '80s.

Prior to switching to New Wave, DWXB-FM flirted with disco in the late '70s and then adopted the American Top Forty format in 1982, dubbing itself Cute 102. By 1983, DWXB-FM was programming New Wave bands from the UK such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Tears For Fears, Devo, and Culture Club into the Top Forty mix. In 1984, New Wave began erupting in Manila's dance clubs thanks to the city's mobile discos, who often spun records imported from Europe, and the proliferation of New Wave music videos on Philippine TV. DWXB-FM gradually evolved into a New Wave/Disco radio station with the late Mark Fournier, known over his broadcasts as Magic, The Unbeatable, the alias of Dave Ryan and Rico Severino known as J.J.Michaels. But this was just the beginning.

Then, the peak came. It was only in 1986 when the station went full-blown "new music" in format with the now-immortal line-up of The Morning Man or Inggo & his Request Round-up at sign-on, Cool Carla, Julius Ceasar, George Frederick who was also the Program Director, Fat Albert & his program Rock Wave and The Ghost. A pair of blocktime shows that caught the youth market by the neck back then were: Radio Manila and Capital Radio, really very progressive to the point of being avante-garde. At this point, the station that dares to be different became officially known as WXB102.

Despite its relatively low power of less than 1 kilowatt, DWXB-FM developed a huge following in places where its signal could be picked up, creating mainstream hits such as "State of the Nation" by Industry, "The Ghost in You" by The Psychedelic Furs, "Feels Like (Heaven)" by Fiction Factory, and "People Are People" by Depeche Mode.

In 1985, DWXB-FM was already the Philippines' most influential music station, its popularity putting pressure on regional labels to belatedly release the entire discographies of The Cure, Depeche Mode, Aztec Camera, and U2 and hard-to-find LPs from The Lotus Eaters, China Crisis, Orange Juice, and The Church. On the surface, their New Wave format could be compared to overseas stations like KROQ-FM and CFNY-FM, DWXB-FM probed the genre for deeper cuts and more obscure acts, giving massive exposure to little-known or forgotten New Wave artists from the UK such as The Pale Fountains, Care, Friends Again, Fiat Lux, Martin Ansell, and Private Lives.

DWXB-FM largely eschewed American New Wave bands like Katrina and the Waves, the Bangles, and Scandal, deeming them as too pop. DWXB-FM briefly competed with another New Wave radio station in Manila, DZBM-105, in 1985. It became a battle of the 12" mixes and who would discover the next cutting-edge sounds first.

[edit] DWXB-102 Hits of 1985 (Partial List)

[edit] DWXB-FM in 1986

The competition between DWXB-FM and DZBM-FM had perished by 1986, the latter shelving much of its New Wave music for pop. DWXB-FM, with the New Wave market to itself and surprising Top Ten ratings, concentrated on pleasing its followers and instead of trying to the masses. The station developed a certain sound - a combination of jangly, romantic pop (Jimmy Jimmy, The Lotus Eaters, Aztec Camera); ethereal, shimmering rock (Care, Echo & the Bunnymen, U2; Gothic dance (The Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Xmal Deutschland); synthesized European disco (Yaz, Depeche Mode, New Order); punk (The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Dead Kennedys); and an array of spellbinding and undiscovered local talent (The Dawn, Introvoys, Deans December).

[edit] DWXB-102 Hits of 1986 (Partial List)

[edit] DWXB-FM in 1987

While the New Wave era was already pronounced dead in America in 1987, the genre had not even yet peaked in Manila. Albums once unavailable were continuing to be licensed to Philippine labels, thanks to the tastemaking punch of DWXB-FM. However, 1987 would be its final year. The new Cory Aquino-led government began sequestering properties owned by her predecessor Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies, including the home that DWXB-FM beamed from. At this point, the DJs - including The Morning Man, George Frederick, Fat Albert, Julius Caesar, The Ghost, and Cool Carla - were working for free, spinning New Wave records from 6 a.m. to midnight. On June 9, 1987, despite attempts to keep it on the air, DWXB-FM signed off after Everything But The Girl's "Sign of the Times"

[edit] DWXB-102 Hits of 1987 (Partial List)

[edit] Post-XB: New Dreams for Old

In November 1987, seeing that the absence of DWXB-FM left a void on Manila radio that could be capitalized upon, DWNU-FM debuted at 107.5 on the dial with a series of test broadcasts that resurrected 102 staples such as Wire Train, INXS, Echo & the Bunnymen, Depeche Mode, The Pale Fountains, The Housemartins, and Icehouse in what was termed a "New Rock" format. It essentially picked up where DWXB-FM left off, debuting late '80s New Wave acts like Black, Crowded House, and Johnny Hates Jazz. However, DWNU-FM wasn't considered as adventuresome as its predecessor. In late 1987, DZBM-FM had returned to its short-lived New Wave format from the mid-'80s. DZBM-FM, whose nickname was "Power 105," plunged further into the New Wave waters that DWXB-FM once swam in. Just as DWXB-FM did, it bravely paraded the most rare New Wave records they could find, carving a fanbase for virtually unknown artists such as Eyeless in Gaza, Fruits of Passion, The Explorers, The Room, and White China.

In 1988, Mickey the Clown from DWXB-FM reappeared on DWBC-AM as Mick Flame and hosted a 102-styled show often featuring former DWXB-FM DJs as guests.

Except for DWNU-FM, which continued to tweak its format and became an alternative rock powerhouse in the '90s, none of it lasted as Manila entered another decade.

In the late '90s, tribute sites to DWXB-FM started appearing on the Internet from fans. Moreover, various radio shows began debuting in the Philippines that paid homage to the quirky and colorful music DWXB-FM and its successors brought to an entire generation of teenagers in the country.

[edit] Rebirth

On 10 September 2005, lifelong fan and New Wave historian Michael Sutton, CEO of the independent label Sutton Records, along with Seattle DJ Brent Sanders and Los Angeles jock DJ Klyde, revived DWXB-FM in cyberspace. Sutton proceeded to recruit some of XB's original staff, including Mick Flame, The Morning Man, and Cool Carla, to record their first XB shows in 18 years.

Listeners can now hear WXB 102 through webstreaming powered by Live365. According to the latest internet radio survey, WXB 102 is currently #2 in the new wave radio stations category.

Current DJs and

[edit] XB Trivia

  • WXB 102 started broadcasting with the frequency of 102.5 instead of the 102.7 most of the listeners got used to. But it was actually 102.75!
  • WXB 102 was the first FM station simulcast on AM band.
  • The first 102 party was called "SHADOW CABINET of WXB 102."

[edit] External links

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