In a statement released on Easter Sunday, WVKR-FM: Poughkeepsie Independent Radio announced that it plans to cut all of its existing programming and pivot to solely Christian rock, due to growing popular demand.
First created in the 1960s as a response to the growing popularity of rock music in the United States, Christian rock music brings together key elements of two apparent opposites: the headbanging, anti-establishment rage of evangelical Christianity, and the pious, holier-than-thou attitudes of hardcore rock ’n’ roll. Since then, the genre has exploded in popularity, including on Vassar’s campus.
“You can’t walk through the THs on a Friday night without hearing Christian rock blasting from all directions,” one student said. “It’s the only genre that answers the question, ‘What if a preacher yelled at you really loudly while bangin’ out some sick guitar riffs?’”
“And the answer is, something beautiful.”
Since its inception in 1973, WVKR-FM has been feeding Vassar students and the wider Poughkeepsie community a steady diet of math rock, shoegaze and whatever kind of music 100 gecs makes. However, the past decade has seen a precipitous decline in listening numbers, as online music streaming services and the really weird music they play on WVKR-FM have driven listeners to seek alternatives.
The statement, released on behalf of WVKR’s Executive Board, lays out a radical vision for the future of Poughkeepsie Independent Radio. “WVKR-FM has conducted an extensive survey of Vassar students,” the Executive Board writes, “and it has become clear that the musical appetites of the student body have shifted. In order for WVKR to survive and thrive in this new environment, we have to meet the desires of our audience.
“The unconventional, ‘alternative’ genres of music that once captured the ears, minds and hearts of WVKR listeners are no longer in demand,” the statement continues. “Prog rock, hyperpop, viperpop, windshield wiperpop—these no longer satisfy the music-loving masses. It’s time for change. It’s time for Christ.”
According to the WVKR Executive Board, of the students surveyed, 97 percent favored a change to a primarily Christian rock-focused schedule of programming. The near-unanimous positivity with which Vassar students greeted the change in polls and focus groups inspired the station to maintain course and go all in on its pivot to Christian rock.
Another student, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed unbridled enthusiasm about the change. “The combination of appropriated heavy metal aesthetics and sanctimonious lyrics really does it for me,” they said. “I’m so excited to tune into WVKR and hear some of my favorite bands, like ‘S8N H8RZ’ and ‘JC & the Nazareth Boys.’ I just hope they leave some time for conservative rap.”
The lone demographic who have been left unhappy by WVKR’s new direction, however, are the anonymous Facebook users who listen to and comment on the radio station online.
One, writing in WVKR’s comment section, summed up their frustrations:
“no more rado head ??”
Christian Rock on Demand, that’s interesting.