10 Questions with ... Jonathan L

NAME:Jonathan L TITLE:Host/Programmer "The Lopsided World Of L" (Also, Creator/co-host of "Balls To The Wall Fantasy Baseball" show) STATION:KUPD & KDUS BORN:Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York RAISED:Levittown & East Meadow, Long Island

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started own monthly music publication "Newsreal" in Tucson, AZ in 1974, which lasted 11 years. Began radio career with "Virgin Vinyl" specialty show in 1982 at KLPX/Tucson. Started up KEYX/Phoenix in 1986 and continued VV. Took my VV roadshow to KUPD/Phoenix in January 1988.

Started up sister station KUKQ/Phoenix in 1989 and continued "Virgin Vinyl" at KUPD at same time. Left both stations in late 1992 to start up original KFMA in Wickenburgh, AZ. In January 1993, I went back to program KUKQ again until July 1993 when they changed to a Talk format. Did independent promotion from September 1993-August 1994 and hosted "Virgin Vinyl" on KDKB/Phoenix at same time. Went back to program and re-start KUKQ in August 1994 to August 1995. Then moved to Los Angeles in August 1995 to become Senior Editor/Vice President of Virtuallyalternative/Album Network until December 2001. I again did independent promotion from January 2002 to April of 2005. Left Los Angeles and moved back to Phoenix in 2005. Returned to KUPD in August 2005.

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Partsman at Mack Trucks

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

"Hey Schoolgirl" 45 RPM by Tom and Jerry (was really Simon & Garfunkel - both were 16). Bought it at Woolworth's in Levittown. It was on the WMCA's "Good Guys" Top 21 weekly list.

FIRST CONCERT:

I cannot tell a lie. Even though I had been to many club shows in the mid-to-late '60s and Dick Clark's Saturday Night Show in New York -- my first real big concert was Burt Bacharach and The Carpenters at the Westbury Music Fair in the round in 1970. Laugh if you will.

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

Cannot do only one. The four that had the most impact in my life would be The Ramones, XTC, David Bowie, and Metallica.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Growing up in New York in the '50s and '60s there were some incredible personalities such as Scott Muni, Cousin Bruce Morrow, Murray The K, and others. Radio was more entertaining than television back then. Listening to the late-great Alan Freed introduce new artists was surreal, when I think back about that time period.

2. After a decade out of radio, why did you decide to return to radio?

I returned because KUPD asked me back. I am fortunate that there was interest from them, and that there were listeners that grew up listening to me that also cared. Technically, while I was in Los Angeles I did host nationally syndicated radio specials with numerous artists such as Social Distortion. But I missed radio in the unique sense of programming and entertaining people with my distorted, ok, "Lopsided" way of musical thinking on a regular basis.

3. Tell us about your two weekend specialty shows on KUPD?

The Saturday morning edition, which runs live from 6:45-10am, is very special to me personally. I have a library of over 15,000 CDs (as you know Shawn. You were recently in it), and I mix music from past and present. That is challenging week-to-week. On the Sunday night edition from 6-8pm it is all new music. I truly dig the continuation of finding new artists and those rare gems.

On Saturday mornings, my son Russell is my co-host, and makes the show sound warm and fuzzy.

4. What makes your two shows unique?

The music I play. It is NOT an "alternative" radio show in the present tense. It IS very alternative in that I mix Metal, Trance, Alt, Rock, Pop, Industrial, Electronic, and other forms of music. I actually prefer that it is a "specialized" show. Ok, let me sport a bit of arrogance. It is the best F'n show in the country. It has a vibe like no other. Anyone can tune in on their computer and listen. Ask Nick from Red Distribution. He does. I'm quite sure others in the industry have taken a few moments to tune in also. Besides, Phoenix is a HUGE city and many are listening. People in Europe and other countries are regular listeners.

But to really answer the question: each week is a different musical mood setting that I create. And in a way I am recreating the same 'wheel' that I did back in '82 with "Virgin Vinyl."

5. What is your show prep routine?

I begin prep on Tuesday's and finish by Thursday for the Saturday show. Sunday's show is more of listening all week and making final decisions on Sunday morning. I am anal in that my show is fully prepared when I walk in that studio (LOL). But, as I am semi-retired, it does give me an advantage. I DO have the time to fully listen to entire CDs and everything that is sent.

6. Being one of the pioneers of the Alternative format, what are your thoughts on the current state of the format?

I prefer the word "founders", but do I really have to say what I really think? Ok, with a few small exceptions, today's radio format known as "Alternative" is floundering, grasping onto something that was once important and special to a small group of us who paved the way. Tedious, uninspiring, over-compensating to be entertaining, and creativity is a rarity today. It's just merely a "format." I would never fit in today's climate as program director. I'm too much of a maverick. I know it does not work today's environment.

7. What would surprise people most about you?

That I haven't changed a lick! Same either likeable or unlikable character I have always been. I say what I feel. I do what I do. I am very approachable. But many seem scared of me. I have no idea why.

8. What's the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

That I am loyal to those that are loyal to me. Fuck with me, and I'll fuck you back. Oh, and my ears still work damn good.

9. Of all the things you've accomplished in radio, what are you most proud of?

Helping and guiding many that are still in radio today (blush) -- the soft side of me.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______?

My wife Jeanette and knowing I am an 11-year cancer survivor.

What are your hobbies?

Playing golf. Doesn't have to be a fancy club, or even carts. Just golf. Very healthy to walk. I also enjoy Chinese film with subtitles. Very unique culture, especially the Hong Kong Era prior to 1997. And, I am a huge baseball fan as you know. I bleed Dodger blue. Still go back to L.A. to catch some games since I've left. Baseball is a 6-month a year hobby. Wish I could find some people to play softball.

And, last but not least, my personal website, JLRadio.com. I do the whole thing myself