98.5 KOME – Fan Blog

Since I began doing interviews 2 years ago I have become more comfortable but when I get the opportunity to do an interview with someone whose work I admire then I am back at square one. This is how it was for this interview with Matt Becker of Melodic Rock Concerts. His work is amazing, his blog posts about the different concerts he attends are fabulous but it is his photographs that are inspiring.

We all see the shots of the celebs, almost always the same pose or same mood is expressed. I know it must be hard to do original when your subject h as been photographed a million times, Matt does it and dose is extremely well. His list of concerts attended is extensive and built on the reigning Kings and Queens of Rock. I am so honored to have this interview and hope you enjoy it as well.

First let me say thank you for sitting down to do this interview, I have been a fan of your work on Melodic Rock Concerts for some time now and I know I am not the only one.

Thanks so much, it’s always great to know that what I put out there on the site is enjoyable to others.

So let me ask you how did get started in this gig as a Rock Fan and Photographer?

I shot my very first concert image at a Steve Miller show in 2006, and although I had no idea that I could turn it into something bigger, something must have stuck because the next year I was starting to draw up a list of concerts that I wanted to attend. The camera came along to every show, and although I of course enjoyed standing and watching my favorite rock groups perform, it was something special when I pushed that button and captured them in action. Eventually as I attended more and more shows, whether it was Rush or Boston, there were always dozens of people lining up around me and asking if I could send them a link to the photos. It didn’t take long for me to realize that a web site would be a great way to not only show the photos and reviews to those who I meet at shows, but also to anyone around the world who wants to check out high quality images of rock performers or read concert reviews. After launching Melodic Rock Concerts first as a blog in the Blogger network, the response was so strong that I eventually relocated it to its current home at www.melodicrockconcerts.com. All along the way I’ve had a blast, and the experience has been and will continue to be very rewarding.

It seems every generation has a Rock Photographer that simply works magic, do you have anyone whose work you enjoy or emulate?
Absolutely, I have taken notice of many fellow rock photographers and I’ve had the privilege of getting to know several of them. Ross Halfin comes to mind, he has been around for nearly 30 years and many know him from his work with Def Leppard. His images helped to define the era during the 1980s and 1990s; if you open up any old rock magazine issue you’re bound to come across a photo by Ross. I also have a great respect for Marty Moffatt, a photographer from the United Kingdom who has worked frequently with Journey. His images are truly stunning, and although I try to establish my own trademark in the images that I create, I do strive to live up to the standards set by photographers like Marty and Ross.

I read that your work is in the 2009 book ‘AC/DC: Maximum Rock ‘N’ Roll, do you also have your work published in other venues? Do you hope to have your own book out one day?

I’m very excited about the Maximum Rock ‘N’ Roll release, which should take place sometime later this year. This book is the definitive resource for all things AC/DC, and it’s an honor to have my photos eternalized in such a way. I try to stay in touch with a variety of publications, so you never know where a photo may appear next. I have given thought to various ways of putting what I do at Melodic Rock Concerts to paper, and a book would certainly be an appropriate way of doing just that. It’s definitely something I will consider down the line, without a doubt there is certainly a great and growing demand for live images of classic artists.

What is your favorite Rock Band and do you have bands that you hope to see soon?

The great thing about the bands that I photograph is that I love the music that is being played as I snap away. I have many favorites, and although I don’t want to single out just one I will say that I greatly enjoy the music of Toto, Def Leppard, Journey, Dokken, and Heart. Melodic rock is such a great genre to be involved with, the artists are very appreciative of fans that have stood by them through the years, and the music is timeless. There are so many names that get thrown out for artists from this era; whether it’s classic rock, hair metal, or hard rock, to me the only thing that matters is that the music is quality. Great vocalists, skilled guitarists, and a powerful rhythm section are at the heart of this type of music, and even some of the today’s newfly formed bands are embracing this and for that I have a great respect.

I’m thrilled about what lies ahead this summer, I will be seeing about 50 bands in concert and so the possibilities in terms of photography are endless. Every band will be great without a doubt, many of them I will be seeing in concert for the first time – Whitesnake, Heart, and Foreigner come to mind.

What concert stands out in your mind as the best show you have ever seen?

I have been extremely fortunate in that every act I’ve seen, whether it was Styx or Eddie Money, has put on an absolutely tremendous show. I think that there’s a certain standard that bands with 20, 30, or 40 year histories feel compelled to live up to; they realize that the people in the crowd could be die-hard followers or young, first-time concert goers, and so they give it their all each night. The concerts that stand out in my mind the most are those at which I not only heard great music, but made great memories with friends old and new, or with family. To quickly give a definitive answer to your question however, Toto and Rush are two bands that simply amazed me in the live setting.

Do you ever get contacted by the bands about upcoming concerts or do you just go in as a fan first?

Typically it’s me approaching bands or venues in a request for credentials, but it’s not uncommon for a band to contact me. Whether they enjoyed my images of themselves, or they took interest in what I did for other groups, it’s a blessing to be reached by an artist or a band.

What should someone who is hoping to take up a camera and document rock shows do to really follow their dream?

The advice I can give is that you should never limit the possibilities; always keep your mind open because you can never who what the future will bring. I would have laughed if two years ago you had approached me and told me that by April of 2009 I would be running a successful website dedicated to the live concert experience. It may sound cliche, but no dream is too big.
I want to thank you for taking the time to do this with me, I really enjoy your work so much can can’t wait until the next show is ready for you to photograph.

I want to thank Matt again for taking the time to do this Interview, it has been a pleasure.

You can read the latest article on Yes and Asia Touring and see all of Matt’s awesome photograph gallery here.

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This interview was a real peach for me, I am so excited to get a DJ from the station on here!
Dave Wohlman did a show on Sunday Mornings called The Sunday Morning Time Machine and as you will read he was involved in so much more at KOME!
So read his thoughts, enjoy a walk down memory lane if you are from the Bay Area and relax on this fine, fine Sunday.

************************* Interview w/Dave Wohlman*

Thank you for taking time to answer my questions Dave. You and the other Disc Jockeys from the station 98.5 KOME were very important to mine and so many other peoples lives. To me it was the Greatest Rock Station that ever existed in the US then and now.

You were the Production Director, Promotion and Marketing Director, Assistant Program Director and on air Personality of the Sunday Morning Time Machine from 1982 to 1998.

1. Which of your jobs at KOME were your favorite?

The APD/Promo Director job was a work intensive position, but I never had so much fun working in my life! Every time I came up with a fun contest, angle, party, etc. – I had to one-up it the next time around. But I enjoyed it all.

2. As Promotion and Marketing Director can you tell me some of the Promotions that were the most fun to do and do you still do Promotional work?

It was my job to produce all live remotes (which we did hundreds of), so I was always on the road going to concerts, Blazy & Bob Breakfast Club sessions, Erectus Pajama Parties and the infamous Weekend Starter Parties to name but a few.
I really enjoyed my fun bits as Dink Martindale (the alchaholic black-sheep brother of Wink), Blazy and Bob’s announcer. I was Santa Dink, Dinko the Clown, etc. It was an overblown character and I got to really ham it up!

I recently served as Greg Kihn’s Director of Kihndication of his now syndicated Big Rock Beat show and am available for consultancy promo work with my Radio Free Wohlman company based in Oregon.

3. What was the motivation behind the Sunday Morning Time Machine?

The Time Machine was a labor of love and my baby. It was the precursor to my Radio Free Wohlman broadcasts of today! It was a chance to dig deep and play music from an artists career, rather than hits! It was entertaining and educational. Instead of sleeping in – I did the Time Machine!

In today’s world, we have Blog’s and the Internet that give us all instant gratification when we are in need of a fix for music or info. Back in the 1980′s and 1990s we had to call the station to talk to you all and ask for songs or chat.

4. Was there enough interaction between the DJ’s and the kids of the Bay Area to allow you to see how much influence you were having on the kids in the Bay Area?

The KOME Mainline was ringing non-stop with requests and comments. We kept a feedback book and I always took calls as APD in the office. At remotes, everybody wanted to make suggestions and talk about their likes and dislikes. It all got fed into the machine and came out on-air. You were very important!

5. What was it like to be at the infamous KOME in its most vigorous years?

We had more fun than legally possible( in fact some of it was illegal). We all worked really hard – but the vibe and our love/respect for each other was so strong that the time blew by. We knew we had something very special going on. I am honored to have been part of that team. They are all still very close to me today.

I also met my wife Pam, who was our Traffic Director , at KOME. She is my main supporter and inspiration.

6. I have heard stories that many great bands graced the halls of the station, were there any bands that really made an impression on you?

So many that it is hard to keep track. I had all the members of Jethro Tull in our little Production Studio for an impromptu recording session that I produced (can I have the flute again Ian), Brian May played guitar over Queen records live in the studio, John Lee Hooker, Greg Allman, Scorpions, Alice Cooper, Ian Hunter, literally hundreds of top-notch artists. KOME was a big draw.

7. I read that you were at WMBR in Boston MA back in the 1970′s, a Punk Station! Can you tell me how you came to be a DJ and how you came to be at WMBR?

I was 20 in 1976 and my first DJ gig was at WTBS, 88.1FM in Cambridge. Ted Turner bought the call letters soon after and we became WMBR. My first show was called “Son Of Rock, Etc.” I was immediately on Mon-Thru mornings in a top market! Quite a learning experience and I made all my mistakes on-air for all to hear. But it was the best school I could have attended.

8. How did the Late Risers Club come to be?

Punk was just starting to become a major local/nation/international force in 76 and bands started to make records. The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, The Jam, etc were mixed with Boston locals like Mission of Burma, Willie Alexander, Unnatural Axe, Human Sexual Response, DMZ and “oldies” like Iggy & The Stooges, Cheap Trick and Bowie. My show soon became The Late Risers Club with like-minded DJ’s including Thom Lane, Greg Reibman, Carter Allen, Blowfish, The Dentons. Others including Tony V. and our spiritual mentor (and later my PD at WBCN, Boston) Oedipus were on every Saturday. I was the Monday morning guy. For a complete look at the Late Risers Club (which is still going on strong 32 years later), read about Marissa Acosta’s Late Risers Club Documentary( http://www.laterisersmovie.com/)- it was very flattering and exciting to see how many lives and bands we touched.

9. I also read that you were at KFJC 89.7 in 2000 and 2001, and your play list was also filled up with Alternative and Punk if I read that correctly ( you have to forgive me, Punk is not my thing )
Is Punk a genre you gravitate towards most?

I think of myself as non-genre specific, but the years of 1976 to 1982 were the most exciting for me musically. I still love The Beatles, Stones, Led Zep, Sabbath, etc. of my youth and all that came before and after, but rock got a kick in the ass in 1976 and it paved the way for exciting times. I am also a big fan of reggae, blues, soul, funk, R&B, jazz, electronic, prog – just about everything but C&W, but I will listen to anything at least once.

Between working for Viacom and Clear Channel, I did shows at KFJC to scratch the itch. It was fun.

10. You now have a Blog called Radio Free Wohlman , what is the history behind the blog and what do you hope for it’s Future?

I always wanted to produce/host a show that had no musical format or rules – and if the were any rules, I wanted to break them. I knew in my head and heart that there was an audience for kitchen-sink type programming where all genres were back-to-back with no discrimination or hesitation. And I was right! I started Radio Free Wohlman (www.radiofreewohlman.blogspot.com) in September, 2006 and in two years, I have over 5200 podcast subscribers, listeners in 135 countries and a daily presence on KYOU, 1550 AM in San Francisco! It is the most satisfying radio I have ever done and it is my daily therapy.

I think the show is perfect for a spot or entire channel of Sirius/XM Sat Radio and have a personal goal to get there. Mel, you can call or write me any time.

11. I was reading over your blog last night and could not help but notice that your musical choices are very eclectic, but in a really interesting way. Do you have a method for how you choose your play list or is it purely random how it comes together?

It is eclectic only because I will play Sonny and Cher next to Frank Zappa or classical next to punk or do a cowboy, rainbow or shoe show. I put all bands, known or unknown, on a level playing field.
Sometimes I have a theme and research/plan – other times I do it seat of the pants style and that is the theme. I sit (actually stand) in my home studio and rock. It is me at my most creative and satisfied. I also take lots of care and effort in the pictures and posts as well. It is a total package experience – and it seems to have struck a nerve in thousands of people. I could not be more happy. Please visit often!

Finally, I hope to ask this question of as many of the folks who were at KOME as I can over time just to see if my idea is fantasy or not.

Do you feel that KOME can be resurrected in some form or is it a impossibility? And do you feel that your ratings for the station were done correctly and did ratings have anything to do with KOME being chosen as the station to be closed down?

Research and managerial stupidity killed the station. They had really smart people like Stephen Page as Music Director telling them what music should be played . But instead, they listened to these research consultants who said – (and I paraphrase) play the same old shit over and over again. It became common-denominator radio. The format change and the subsequent end was a very sad chapter in a wonderful story.

In 2005 – I was the PD of KSJO before it went Spanish (what a sin). I was talking to Blazy & Bob, Stephen Page, Fran Bennett and Dennis Erectus (all so talented) along with other KOME personnel such as King Raffi and Michael Solari (both now with Channel 104.9, San Jose) about moving in that direction. It never made it off the drawing board. It think that was our last chance – but if I ever get the call from a very smart person that wants to rule the Bay Area airwaves once again – I think I and many of the old crew would give it serious thought. Wouldn’t that be something.

Again, thank you Mr. Wohlman for taking time to speak with me, it has been a total blast to do this interview with you, and it has brought some awesome memories back for me. You and the other DJ’s at the station were a very important part of my life, I wanted to tell you thank you for all the great times.

You and all the KOME listeners were as much a part of the station as we were!

Something like KOME only happens once in many lifetimes – lightning in a bottle! I feel very privileged to have had such an impact on so many!

Thanks Lisa!

*************************************** fin****************************************8

* edit — just have to add this here, OMG did you read who he recalls as having walked through the doors of KOME?
This just gets better and better each day I write this blog, I can not tell you how stoked I am at this moment!!!

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