KALX UC Berkeley's radio station, with 500 watts of FM Power. Also available online at kalx.berkeley.edu. Really good programing and excellent DJs-too many to mention. Tuna Satana, Donut Monoxide, Moldy Fig, Poindexter, Microtone, Cuppa Joe, Vernal Pools are just some of the awesome DJs who are one of a kind always bring the most amazing music. Oh and don't forget the Nightman, who frequents the wee hours of Sunday morning and seems to gravetate towards College radio and sound collage from the "golden age" of college radio. Oh and don't. forget Last Will. And the Genderwave (difficult listening at its finest) Too many to mention. KALX is independent, and does not use AI. They could really use your support! read more

used to be my goto station when i wanted to hear some new wierd music. i would wake up at like 3 in the morning and i'd hear some wild jazz or sinister black metal or wierd experimental electronic music. now it's stale and booty. maybe the program manager is new? or maybe the dj's just suck now. get it together kalx read more

Home to some of the most unique music, programming, and people in the Bay! The music selection is a melting pot of styles, geographies and eras, carefully curated by expert DJs. There are also awesome ticket giveaways, intimate live performances, interesting interviews and reviews, and exciting Cal sports broadcasts. With the station's free-form nature, there are always new things to discover that you will not hear on any other station. read more

Given the loss of almost any decent radio in the Bay Area I highly appreciate KALX and all it's eclectic-ness. I've discovered numerous great bands from listening and unlike other reviewers enjoy their sometimes stream-of-consciousness babble. It makes it feel real and alive! Keep it up KALX! read more

Usually a pretty solid indie radio station, though (some of) the DJs could stand to dial back their stream-of-conscious dialogue in between song sets. read more

oh bliss, oh joy. My new job allows me to listen to KALX on my computer through my little ear buds while I work. This is a little piece of heaven for me, as it's something I definitely couldn't have done while teaching! Rubberband Girl is my new fave DJ (altho no one can take the place of Sex 14's). I keep a little post-it pack next to my phone just for writing down the names of new music I love. Used to be I could keep up with new stuff by moonlighting at the record stores, but parenthood killed that idea. KALX, you're my only hope, and you never let me down. In fact, I startle my son all the time with something new that I know he'll like, and then he turns all the other 8th graders on to it. How many parents can say that?!? Remember, if you don't like what you're hearing, just tune in at another time or day, and you'll hear something totally different, on the MIGHTY 90.7. read more

I'm so bummed out that I don't get good reception out here by the beach. Otherwise I'd listen to KALX a lot more often. As a student, I'd tune in and hear a lot of fantastic music that I wouldn't have been exposed anywhere else. Even though some of it was "out there", I'd usually find a DJ I liked and tune in whenever they were on. Later on when I was commuting home from a job in Oakland, I'd usually tune into to Kitty (damn what a sexy voice!) and Disco Shawn (smart-ass but funny). There are tons of other good DJs but these are my favorite because of their great taste in music. Maybe when I get a new stereo I'll be able to tune in more often. If you're in the East Bay or can get 90.7 on your dial, tune in! read more

other than occasionally tuning in to NPR, i don't listen to any other station except when they're broadcasting CAL sports. KALX consistently plays unique and interesting music (except for that "white noise" hour or WTF that is ) and i've discovered numerous wonderful indie and oldie bands throughout the years, and got the scoop on a LOT of local bay area bands way before they ever make it onto other stations, especially bay area hip hop. my music collection owes a lot to KALX, and i donate to their fundraiser every year to keep it going. my only complaint is that their "award-winning alternative news" @ 5:30p just seems to reiterate what i read in the Chronicle every morning; nothing exactly ground-breaking there. the playlist for the last 24 hours is here: http://kalx.berkeley.edu/last24hours.html read more

KALX is the station I have listened to the most over the years and I think it continues to become increasingly diverse in the DJs, the programming, and the ads crack me up! The ride-finder as well as the movie reviews are great. My all-time favorite DJ remains "Sex-For-Teens". He always plays interesting music - lots of which is new to me. He also plays a terrific selection of World music and classic blues. I make it a point to listen to his show. Based on my favorite shows, I'd give 5 stars, and they deserve it. Some shows, tho', I just can't listen to, so one star less. Great commentary and keeps me up-to-date on all the things happening around town. Give a listen! read more

Music radio SUCKS in the Bay Area!! WTF happened?? OH OKAY, guess every freq got bought out by the mega corps from the FCC a long time ago. Guess that's why I listen to: my iPod overandoverandover again, road noise with the windows rolled up or down, CDs, my dog panting "are we there yet dad?", or myself ramblin' on about nothing, when I'm driving to work or any where else. BUMS ME DA SHIT OUT THAT THERE'S NO COOL MUSIC ON THE RADIO! But then again, there's small wattage stations like KALX (...and other indies like KUSF, KPFA, KVHS...). Slam the NAY, me YAY on this freq. KALX is kinda amoebic in what's playing on air. It's freeform BABY! Maybe you'll hear some music that's fresh or weird and it'll fry into your brain till you hafta go out and just buy the CD or get a download. It'll test your comfort zone some times... at least to me that's what good radio is all about. NINETY POINT SEVEN FM! read more

"That was a new Tiesto cut," Sitting in the Berkeley Bowl parking lot, radio on. "I have my new, apprentice in the studio. Ashti? He has a message for you." Ashti: the same vocal fry as hers, his phrases even more hesitant. "A properly installed smoke detector can double your chances, of surviving, a night time fire. You should install a smoke detector on every level of your house especially outside, your bedrooms. Be sure to test your smoke detectors at least a month and, replace the batteries once a year." Her voice again now: "Ashti has a track lined, up for us now," She forged on with the bravery unique to the young and uncomfortable. Impossible to tell if she likes being on the air or is surviving until the song. "Lets see what he's got lined up for us," she and I said in unison. Then, the EDM blip and caterwaul. My head bob like a karaoke singer enduring a long guitar solo. Soon enough it wound down and I could lip sync once again. read more

I grew up in Tampa, FL. My undergrad's from UF in Gainesville, FL. My expectations for college radio were set incredibly low. Programming from *local* people wouldn't appear until 11pm. Community radio was stultified, stratified, and simplified. KALX fixed me. KALX is my go-to radio station. Even when I don't like the music style or don't like the DJ style, I still find myself listening. And learning. And appreciating. I've heard a ton of music on KALX that "isn't played on the radio." I've heard a ton of music on KALX I'd otherwise dismiss because I wouldn't like it a priori. But the DJs mix the music so you always stretch your ears in nifty new ways. The *only* downside is that listening to KALX involves *listening*. It's not just background music. There are a few specific DJs I cannot have on while I try to work because I'll spend my time listening and thinking. I still listen to KALX on-line even though it's three hours in the past. Screws with my timing, makes me late for meetings, but keeps me sane. KALX needs 10 stars, not five. read more

program it, ladies and gents. It's #1 for me, just always a taste of something unanticipated. Like today, when I heard on kalx a song i could sing along with (from mermaid ave) and then tonight, when I mistook them for the classical station (#5 on my dial) and kept punching #1 till I realized "Hey, this is kalx, and it's not cynical, or noise-art, or some punk shit, or annoying." And I like being surprised and occasionally moved, and I also have to give big ups for the KALX dj who introduced me to M.WARD and the one who played WHY and the guy tonight, who played sincere music when I didn't expect it. PS @ Disco Shaun: The word "vibe" is not just for hippies. Just like the word "cool" is not just for hippies. Don't be afraid to identify with overused sentiments. read more

I love them. They play a variety of all kinds of kool things. Where else can you hear gary newmans "cars" done by the katzenjammers on steel drums with cow bell?! Or even Joanna Newsom. Another wonderful public radio station to support! read more

Yeah, lots of dead air, DJs who can't string three words (let alone a coherent sentence) together (and who continually mispronounce common words and names), an unfathomable belief that "marginal" or "eclectic" always means "good", and an often way-too-twee attitude... but where the hell else on local radio can you hear all that music the mainstream Bay Area broadcasters won't touch with a bargepole? Give 'em a listen -- and if you don't like what you hear, try again in a few hours: the programming's really pretty diverse (but see below). Good streaming audio, too. KALX only gets four stars because it recently dumped the Sunday morning hip hop / rap / "urban" show in dubious circumstances, an act that's almost unforgivable to me... read more

Love me some KALX. Along with KFJC (89.7 FM), I think this is the best terrestrial radio in the Bay Area. read more

This is one of the best radio stations in the Bay Area - it's diverse, eclectic, sometimes challenging but always a lot of fun. I'm very happy that I get to have access to such an excellent radio station! read more

The best college station in the East Bay! KALX rocks, there's no denying. An ever-changing beast of sound. Don't like what you're hearing at the moment? Stay tuned. There's something for everyone. Discerning ears will be sated. Do yourself a flavor and don't miss: Jesse Luscious Meaty Paws 45 RPM Pop Goes the Weasel Sex 14's The Good Foot They epitomize what makes college/community radio so great. I miss Joe Six Pack, Last Will, and Miss Kitty, though...but there is always a new crop of amazing DJs rotating through this kick-ass station. You might even catch me spinning somes tunes every now and then. Oh! For all you poor souls complaining about bad reception, you can livestream KALX from your computer (which I'm assuming you have if able to post such lamentations) at http://kalx.berkeley.edu Coolness! KALX RAWKS! read more

College radio at it's best. Loooong time listener, and supporter. Eclectic, genre diverse. Awesome music library to pull from dating back 55 years! read more

As a former volunteer (news and DJ), I enjoyed my overall experience at KALX. However, I felt underappreciated, especially when I had to pick up other people's slack, which was often. It's disorganized and unreliable (they lost my demo which they promised to save for me). It's hard to get a straight answer from anyone but the music sure is eclectic. read more

the best radio station. kalx makes me feel alive.

It's just the best thing that ever happened. I've been listening to KALX since I was nine. No commercials, entertaining PSAs, and, unlike many if not most college radio stations, they broadcast 24-7. Plus they've got the "grandma rule"... play at least 3 different genres per set, if your grandma can't tell the difference, it doesn't count; which means if for any reason you tune in and hear something you don't like, it'll soon magically transform into something different. Plus live (local) bands Saturday nights. read more

Kalx is the only music radio station I listen to because they are the only one that lets the DJs choose what they want to play. My favorite DJ just got her own time slot on Friday mornings from 6 - 9. DJ Rubberband Girl spins the tunes that keep me listening. She always surprises me with something I heard way back when or something I never heard before. I wonder where she comes up with some of the quirky numbers with those funky arrangements. Since I can't get KALX out in the burbs I just use a software to schedule the recordings from my computer over their Internet feed and then I put the mp3 on my player and listen when ever I want. read more

"One-note"? I have yet to hear one song twice on this station since I started listening to it many many years ago. In fact, one of my only gripes about this station is that I'll hear a great song and know that I might never hear it again because the DJs don't announce the songs they've played very frequently nor consistently. KALX also plays a lot of rap, Indian, ambient and blue grass music, none of which are my favorite music styles but it's great that they provide such a wide variety. My other gripe is that their signal doesn't reach very far outside of Berkeley. Too bad. When my favorite Djs are on: Mon Amie, 45 RPM and Tiger Lily, KALX is very, very, very good. Like a tall drink of water. I've been a fan of Mon Amie for many years and I'm so sad when she's on hiatus from the station. She plays a little of the old and introduces listeners to a lot of the new. She tries to keep you up-to-date and in-the-know, not unlike many of the Djs at KALX. read more

Could listen to this station all day. Every song is a surprise. I've made many new musical discoveries thru KALX..Helps me add to my music library. Leftfield Lance is my favorite. Where does he find this stuff? read more

pretty good. nice selection of music. sometimes the songs make me laugh. there was this one about beans and clouds or something. i dunno. my one complaint is that reception is very bad. especially in tunnels. sometimes those techno songs can go on for what seems like ever. that can be a little annoying... but i still like this station. : ) read more

good most of the time. and when it's not good it still makes nice background music. i don't often hear songs on this station that i'm like "OMG WHO IS THAT," but it does happen sometimes. they do list their songs online, so that's cool. better than most stations but definitely not the best. read more

it was a struggle, really, to decide who would get the honor of review #200. i mean, once you hit "post," there's really no going back. so i bestow this great honor on the mighty mighty kalx (90.7 fm, university and listener supported radio). kalx- i am forever grateful and in your debt. who knew that a sociology degree would be way less useful in obtaining gainful employment than the 4 and a half years spent in loving loyal service to your airwaves in the armpit of Barrows Hall? kalx was by far the best relationship i had in my college years - reliable, loyal, always working hard to keep things interesting and fresh. not always perfect but always quirky, lovable, and easy to fall asleep next to. kalx is the bee's knees. read more

Extremely knowledgeable DJs and crazily unique programming. You never know what you're going to get, but chances are it's new to you and it's good. The only drawback is that some DJs occasionally give you a bit too much information a bit too slowly, i.e., as StrongBad best put it, "Dead air, um, dead air." But it's some of the best college radio around. read more

The Bay Area is so lucky to be home to the best college radio station in the world KALX Berkeley. What is so cool is that it still goes out over the air on the 90.7 frequency, in a time when most college stations have been relocated to the internet. It's the best indie station in San Francisco and parts east. Listen for authentic live indie radio from real students as well as community members. read more

Loved the eclectic programming so much I volunteered, and fell deeper into Barrows Hall basement. Epitome of merit-based community, transparent administration, and free training in sound engineering, DJing, copywriting, not to mention perks like staff passes to shows, movies, and fests. It's so good to listen to, because it's so good inside out. Now start living commercial-free, live, and freeform by tuning into to KALX 90.7 FM! And remember to donate and support in October, the ONLY time KALX raises funds. read more

I'm giving the station 5 stars because it is so much better than any of the current options. There really is no bay area radio station that I have found that can compare. No commercials and a decent variety of music ftw. That said, it would be a whole lot better if they would lose that lame political talk show that acts as a platform for all the berkeley dwelling freaks, in my opinion of course. read more

This station really rules! Most of the time, It's all a matter of musical taste, of course. I tend to like music of the rock n roll, garage, punk rock, old school soul & country genres, so some DJ's just don't do it for me. I don't like it when they play only 1 genre of non-rock music. (sorry Sergio and the worst, Jah Wobbs!), and I can't stand their Midnight Specialty Shows that play an hour of "difficult" (ie noise) music. I do like the Tuesday night Midnight Country Music Show, called "Why Baby Why" which is usually hosted by DJs Meaty Paws or The Berkster. When I listened last time I heard a new DJ, Transistor Sister (great DJ names on KALX!) She spun a mix of fun classic country stuff w/ modern stuff. Then I listened to the station at work the next day and there she was, on the air again. No Country Music this time. It was an eclectic set of rock, soul and some silly stuff too. I think that Transistor sister, the Count and Mixtress 9 are the latest of the best new KALX DJs. But whatever happened to Butter Cup? Other notable DJs: Mack-rare, weird rock/novelty songs Jessie Luscious- Punk Rock mornings Scratchy Vinyl- reliably good Rock/Pop mixes Pop Goes The Weasel-"This Day in Music History" theme shows Tiger Lily's "Punk History Lesson" theme shows Sex For Teens-longtime DJ who is always stellar The Count, Transistor Sister, Mixtress 9: I think they're new Tumbleweed and Cuppa Joe are also good Most of them are. They turn me on to some good music, both new and old stuff. Thank you KALX read more