Ben Benner’s Blog

While listening to the radio during my morning routine, Alice In Chains’ song “Rooster” came on. I came to the realization that I have heard that song almost everyday on the radio since my days in high school. That is obviously a bit of a generalization.

However, whether it is in the morning, during the day or at night, I swear I have heard the Rooster song at least once a day.

Bear in mind, I listen to “Alternative Rock” stations about 100% of the time. Back in Lansing it was 92.1 The EDGE. Here in Austin, it is 101X. (92.1 is no longer on the air)

My reason for bringing up my choice in music is that, by listening to an Alterantive Rock station I increase my chances of hearing the Rooster song significantly. But as I reached this seemingly mundane epiphany about hearing this song from 1992 almost everyday, I realized that my choice in music might soon become a form of ‘Classic Rock’.

The DJs on 101x have stayed relatively young, swapping out every few years. One of the ladies that did the morning show when I first moved down now has a show later in the day. And some of the DJs from that time period appear to have moved into management.

Another realization that I have had lately is that more and more of the new music that is dubbed “Alternative Rock” is just noise to me. It all sounds the same. Funny thing is there were a few bands that hit the airwaves about 6 months back that all seemed to want to be Pearl Jam, I mean their lead singers were trying hard to sound like Eddie Vedder.

Back in high school the rock of the ’80s was just becoming phased out into the ‘Flash Back’ hours (lunch breaks or drive-time nostalgia music hours). I still tune into the Flash Back lunch hour on 101x, the majority of the music there is from the ’80s, some of is now music from the ’90s.

Yet, still the Rooster makes its way into prime air time. I guess I am curious about what when will the “Classic Rock” be the music of the ’80s and ’90s. I mean, if Classic Rock today is the music of the ’60s and ’70s, will they tack the ’80s and ’90s music onto that genre or will they create a new genre, say “Classic Alternative Rock”.

I guess one thing that I am starting to realize is that I am getting old(er).

This year I will 30, the next big milestone for me. I think most people find 30 to be a defining point, the point at which they are no longer young and not quite old.

I have always said that I feel older than I am, I usually throw out 70. Oddly enough, these days I would probably say that I feel 60.

So by the time I am 40 I will feel like 50, so in theory when I am 45, I will say 45.

Anyway, it is time to snuff the rooster.

Night