WSOU, Seton Hall's Pirate Radio, will celebrate 25 years as a metal radio station by hosting a concert on Friday, Nov. 18 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N.J.
The "25 Years of Metal" concert will feature prominent metal bands such as Chimaira and Unearth, with support by Skeletonwitch, Molotov Solution, Fit For An Autopsy, Thanatotic Desire and Name The Creature, according to WSOU Station Manager Omar Ahmad.
Ahmad, along with General Manager Mark Maben, said that by celebrating with a concert they are continuing a tradition that predates WSOU's change in format 25 years ago.
The tradition has taken place at significant milestones in the stations history.
"It was done for the 10 year anniversary and the 15 year anniversary," Ahmad said. "It was a no-brainer for us; we had the power and potential."
Though this is WSOU's 25th year in its current loud rock format, it is the stations 63rd year in existence, having first broadcasted on April 14, 1948, Maben said.
"WSOU has remained a key innovator in college radio and the New York market," Maben said on the WSOU website. "As the only station of its kind in the metro area, the 25th anniversary of our active rock format is something to celebrate."
Tickets for the event have been available since Sept. 23 for $17 through www.starlandballroom.com, according to WSOU's website.
The idea for "25 Years of Metal" was conceived over a year ago, in the late spring of 2010, but the "real work" on the concert did not really begin until January of 2011, when bands were scheduled and the venue was reserved, Ahmad said.
Though "25 Years of Metal" features high-profile acts and is a large-scale event, WSOU is putting their own touch on the show, according to Maben.
The concert will feature videos and photographs of the stations history, including a former DJ who has recently passed away, Maben said.
WSOU has also invited alumni who have made an impact on the station to the event. Many of these alumni have gone on to work as professionals in the radio or broadcast field, according to Maben.
Maben, who has been at WSOU for over seven years, believes the event will reflect well on the station both from the outside and in the university community.
"Anytime an organization can successfully put together an event, that always reflects well," Maben said. "Particularly on WSOU because in this industry, people know this is a student run station."
With over 120,000 listeners, WSOU competes with major commercial radio stations in the New York market, and has a strong fan base, Maben said.
Maben also said he believed that listeners connect to the station due to the passion and joy that students are able to bring.
Maben characterized his role in the station as the "adult on duty," and said that the concert, much like the station in general, has been student-run.
Being a student-run radio station makes WSOU unique in its market becasue it is treated as a commercial station, Ahmad said.
"People see us as a flagship for this genre," Ahmad said, "A leader in this kind of market for this music."
Ethan Arnowitz can be reachedat ethan.arnowitz@student.shu.
