Transmission with Derek Nester Hits the Airwaves: A Deep Dive into Alternative History

GLEN ELDER, KAN. — Radio listeners are about to embark on a sonic journey through the decades as X-96.3 (Classic Rock Z-96.3 The Lake) prepares for the highly anticipated debut of its newest specialty program, Transmission. Hosted by seasoned broadcaster and alternative music aficionado Derek Nester, the show is set to claim the Friday night 9:00 PM slot, promising an immersive experience for fans of the “left of the dial” sound.

Bridging the Decades: 1977–1999

Transmission isn’t just a playlist; it’s a chronological and cultural retrospective. The show aims to bridge the gap between the late-70s explosion of Post-Punk and New Wave and the multi-platinum “Alternative Nation” era of the 1990s.

Listeners can expect a curated blend of tracks ranging from the dark, atmospheric textures of Joy Division and The Cure to the high-energy distortion of Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins. By focusing on the era spanning roughly 1977 to 1999, Nester intends to highlight the DNA of modern rock and how underground subcultures eventually rewrote the rules of the mainstream.

More Than Just the Music

While the songs are the stars, Derek Nester brings a storyteller’s touch to the microphone. The program is designed to cover:

• The Bands: Deep dives into both the icons and the “one-hit wonders” who defined the scene.
• The Storylines: Behind-the-scenes accounts of legendary tours, studio sessions, and the social movements—like the Riot Grrrl scene or the Manchester explosion—that fueled the music.
• The “Why”: An exploration of why this specific window of music remains, in the eyes of many, the most creative and influential era ever recorded.

A Friday Night Ritual

By carving out a space on Friday nights, X96.3 is positioning Transmission as the ultimate kickoff to the weekend for the “Alternative” generation. Whether you’re a veteran of the original Batcave era or a newcomer discovering the grit of 90s Grunge for the first time, Nester’s encyclopedic knowledge and passion for the genre aim to make the show a mandatory weekly ritual.

“This is about recovering the sounds that defined a generation,” says Nester. “It’s about the grit, the emotion, and the experimental edge that made this music matter then and makes it matter now.”