This column wouldn’t have fit on the Viewpoints page, but Rachel has graciously given me space in her section to write my rant. I don’t know if everyone has noticed, but if you turn on 105.7, you find that it’s not The Quake anymore. The Quake went Quack.

Around the end of December, I think the 30th, someone bought The Quake and completely changed the format. Now, I don’t object to change usually, but this radio station is not the best.

Sorry to any Quack lovers I’m fixing to offend, and yes this is a matter of my opinion, but I know that a lot of people feel the same way I do.

Since I was in high school, when I was feeling angry at the world, I would turn on 105.7 The Quake and listen to Sevendust, Slipknot, and Disturbed.

Imagine my surprise when I turn on 105.7 after the new year and hear The Eagles, Bob Segar, and Rod Stewart. Now, I like Hotel California every once in a while. Sometimes I get the urge to listen to Lynard Skynard. On some occasions, nothing beats the guitar solo at the end of “Freebird.” However, I don’t want to listen to “Sweet Home Alabama” six times a day.

My biggest objection is that when they pulled The Quake of the air, they left a void in this genre on the radio. Around West Tennessee, unfortunately, all you hear is country, oldies, and pop. You don’t hear a rap radio, and you don’t hear a hardrock station.

For those who are fans of hardrock, there’s not another station that plays head-banging music. I know of many people who yelled obscenities in the privacy of their car when they turned on the radio. My friend, Terry, ranted for a week about the only station he can listen to at work now is Electric 96.9.

I listen to Electric 96.9 and 99.3, but I’m not a big fan of Ashlee Simpson or Gwen Stefani. I don’t want to listen to artists, like The Pussycat Dolls, for an hour just to hear the All American Rejects once.

More than once, I’ve heard car blaring “Mandatory Marley” out the window at 4:20 everyday. I don’t get to listen to Metallica late at night anymore.

I can remember driving to Martin, listening to the Don and J Morning show. Nothing was better than starting your day by laughing your butt off at Don and J.

So, I’m going to make a request. I’m not usually one that asks for huge favors, but for once I have one. I’m requesting that WUTM The Hawk play some hardrock for the students that have nothing else to listen to. I’m not expecting 90.3 to play artists like Korn four hours of the day, but just give us rock fans something to look forward to. Maybe this seems insignifcant to some people, but for people who enjoy hardcore rock, it’s like a best friend moved away.