GG: What’s your number one pet peeve when being worked by record reps?
GC: A few reps are guilty of this: forgetting how we do things here at 91X. Whether it's the fact that Christy and I actively seek out sales and sharing information, or how close we are to the music and lifestyle, or how San Diego itself is a very unique town. Nothing irritates me more than being made to feel like our station is just another set of call letters. Look, I understand we all have our priorities and directives. Try a little harder to make it about doing good business, rather than just doing a job. What's wrong, Lieutenant Gary? Surprised I didn't say "spin policing"?

GG: Not at all, I’m sure it was just a function of Selector.  What’s your favorite part of your job? Least favorite?
GC: On the most fundamental of levels, I get paid to play music for people. Granted, it's not my own music - but the world is probably better off that way. I've also been lucky enough to have some great experiences, to do things I never would have been able to otherwise. The memories alone are enough to get me into the office on a daily basis, even if this job wasn’t as fun/rewarding as it really is. Least favorite: well right now, the station is moving from Mission Valley to our new studios in Mira Mesa. And there are few things in this world I enjoy less than moving. But without a doubt, the least exciting part of this job is constantly having to try and find ways to do more with less. 

GG: Do you tattoo yourself with every band you add into rotation?
GC: For sure. In fact, I just had some new Linkin Park ink done on my left ass cheek. Wanna see it?

GG: Um, no, but I hope you’re saving a cheek for Circa Survive.   People consider you to be an incredibly passionate programmer.  Why does that help you succeed?  Is there a downside?
GC: This demographic, this life group, it's all driven by passion. Finding new bands...going to shows...everything they do is about an inherent desire to live, to discover, to get the most you can out of life. Shouldn't the people who are trying to entertain them be the same way? Not everything you do is always going to work, and it's easy to take the failures as much to heart as you do the successes. While I am getting better at managing the ups and downs, I'll admit to still getting unnecessarily worked up from time to time.

GG: Chargers.
GC: You know those rainstorms that blanketed Southern California the week after SD lost to NY? That was God crying because the Jets sold their souls to the devil. You hear that, Gorman? Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez and Darrelle Revis traded an eternity burning in hellfire, just for the chance to get clowned by Peyton Manning in the AFC title game. Way to go, J-E-T-S.

GG: How has your job changed in a PPM world?
GC: The jury is still out on whether or not PPM is truly a more accurate tool for measuring listening, but the reality is that it's what we have to work with. That means less room for error, more information to filter through, and a lot of old programming rules to re-think. Although it would seem that, for 91X at least, PPM is more help than hindrance.

GG: What’s it like to be in the drivers seat of one of the most influential and heralded stations in the format?
GC: Since I grew up out here, I've been listening to and loving these stations (91X, Live 105, KROQ, KWOD during its great run) for decades. Knowing their history, their heritage, their legacy so far (91X turned 27 recently) - while it can feel a little overwhelming at times, it motivates me more than I would ever be able to articulate.

GG: Who would you cite as major influences in your career, mentors? What did they teach you?
GC: To be fair, let's do this chronologically: KiddChris, Boomer Barbosa, Ron Bunce, Marco Collins, Curtiss Johnson, Bob O'Dell, Lisa Biello, Lenny Diana, Phil Manning, Trip Reeb, Jack Evans… Each of these people taught me something that helped shape me both personally and professionally. In many cases they are also someone who gave me a shot even if conventional logic might have dictated that I wasn't really ready for one.

GG: What’s your perspective of the Alternative format today? What should radio and labels be doing a better job of?
GC: Let's be realistic: the Alternative radio format isn't exactly "hot" at the moment, relatively speaking. And it really hasn't been for a while. There isn't a cultural paradigm shift happening right now, and there may never again be one. But that doesn't mean it's time to completely retreat into the music library, otherwise there may not be a format at all in a few years. People are still looking for new music, even if their consumer habits are different than before. And last time I checked, radio was still free.

Radio and Records just need to actively adjust & adapt to the ever-changing landscape. We also have to remember to always keep the bar set high. Don't add records just for the sake of adding records, and don't sign bands just for the sake of signing bands. Quality control, quality control, quality control. Utilize your resources to nurture and develop the talent you already have, whether it's on your playlist or on your artist roster.

GG: What music should the format be excited about?
GC: I absolutely love this new Gorillaz track "Stylo". Damon Albarn is so brilliant that sometimes it takes a minute to really "get" what he's doing musically. Did you hear "Dare" or "Feel Good Inc." the first time? Can't wait to see how they pull off Plastic Beach at Coachella this year. Let's see...I've already penciled in a spot in the Top 5 91X songs of the year for Dirtyheads f/ Rome "Lay Me Down". The Thrice record "In Exile" is also just blowing up our phones/email/social media.

Cage The Elephant was the real breakout story for 91X this past year...achieving that ever-so-elusive hat trick of reaction/sales/research - not once, but twice. Phoenix is here to stay. Muse, Silversun Pickups, Vampire Weekend's ridic sales...there are definitely some legitimate things happening on the "Alt" tip. The Temper Trap, Edward Sharpe, Mumford & Sons...definitely watching to see what develops with those. This year will likely bring new Beastie Boys, Jimmy Eat World, MCR, Interpol, Deftones, Dead Weather, Strokes, a little band called Linkin Park...just to name a few. I also hear that a certain 90's staple might be rebooting with its original lineup very soon...you know anything about that, Stone Temple Gorman?

Long story short, the format should be excited about whatever music we hear; that our gut says will be most embraced by the audience. And you know yours better than anyone - give them a healthy dose of the hits, then take a few "shots" on the stuff you truly feel will work for your market.