Oh the 90′s: That which is not a distant blur has become an idealistic memory. And while you can relive most of the aural highlights 47 minutes an hour on 101X, nothing can replace the sonic splendor that was K-NACK 107.7, Austin’s original alt-rock station.

The early 90′s saw Austin’s airwaves in a barren state–until the fall of 1991, when new upstart K-NACK started broadcasting. Suddenly Austin had direct access to the burgeoning alternative rock sound, then known as “college rock.”  Plus, Austin artists were also featured in heavy rotation.

Yes, dear readers, there was a time when Austin radio didn’t just play variations on mainstream, but  kept it local ALL the time.

But K-NACK wasn’t just a radio station. They built a community around the local scene. And by putting out their “Homegroan” CD compilations, they shined a light on Austin bands that might not have had the resources to get their sound out. Remember, this was Pre-Internet!

Truth be told, I’m a little biased. In the fall of 1997, I started an internship at the station. For almost two months, I’d drive up to Georgetown on Wednesdays to help out around the studio. Man, the CD library was epic. My internship ended early because the radio station got sold.

 

 

So what did Austin music in the 90′s sound like? Pickings on the InterWebs have been pretty slim, but I was able to find some stuff. Check it out:

90′s Austin bands played on K-NACK:

Sincola – “Bitch”

Retarded Elf – “What Up, G?”

Mumbleskinny – “Devilman”

Mojo Nixons – “Elvis is Everywhere”

Asylum Street Spankers – “Jerry the Junker”

Ugly Americans – “Vulcan Death Grip”

Stranger Than Fiction – “When Mystery Loves Company”

El Flaco – “Sister”

Sixteen Deluxe – “Honey”

Gal’s Panic – “Fuentes”

Bo Bud Greene – “Mira La Punk Star”

Wannabees – “Itchin Jenny”

 

You can catch several of these bands and more this weekend at the K-NACK Reunion at the ND. Here’s the full line-up:

Friday, January 27

Midnight                SIXTEEN DELUXE

10:45 PM               SINCOLA

9:30 PM                 BO BUD GREENE

9:00                        SEED

 

Saturday, January 28

Midnight                  WANNABES

10:45 PM                  BUG / SPLINTER

9:30 PM                    GOMEZ (TX)

8:00 PM                    K-NACK CLASS REUNION:  Come have a beer with K-NACK alums.

Hosted by Raydog.  With the K-NACK Crew in the house: Max Pace, Lynn Lawless, Trina Quinn, Melody Lee, Rachel Marisay, Drew Bennett, Ken Fusion, Jason Jenkins, Cary Delmark, Alan Cross, The Rude Luvah, Jess Webb, Biff Raffe

WIN: If you want to win a pair of passes to the weekend’s events, go to Republic of Austin Facebook page between 10AM and NOON today! Look for the question

EXPERIENCE: K-NACK 107.7 Reunion; (Friday, 01.27; Saturday 01.28); 8P-2A (Meet and greet with the K-NACK Crew at 8!); The ND (501 Brushy between E 5th and E 6th, 78702); Tickets $10/night or $17/wknd; More info; Facebook Event

And if you’re still feeling nostalgic, join the K-NACK 107.7 Psychobaby Time Capsule group on Facebook.

How many of those bands do you remember?

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