In 1975, a group of students reacted to renewed demand for student-run radio at USC and founded KSCR, a carrier-current station broadcasting out of the Hancock Foundation Building. Eventually, due to equipment failures, the University authorized a grant to move KSCR to its current location in Marks Hall and construct new, state-of-the-art studios. In 1984, KSCR transitioned the carrier-current broadcast to its new studios.

The station was incorporated under USC Student Senate in 1988 thanks to an outpouring of student support. New funds enabled new studio upgrades, and a new logo “SC-53” was adopted to signify a new beginning. Then, starting in late 1990, KSCR started broadcasting through downtown’s then-dominant cable provider, Continental Cablevision. A change in station branding to “The Underground” commemorated this change and the station’s new focus on independent music.

After a period of broadcasting at 104.7fm in downtown, the station began webcasting in April 1998. At first, KSCR broadcasted online through a USC server using Real Audio. This made the station’s programming available to a worldwide audience. The station’s slogan changed to “revolutionary radio” to commemorate the renewed student interest in KSCR thanks to its new online technology.

KSCR now broadcasts over-the-air in downtown Los Angeles at 1560am, and offers two online streams using its own servers. The station is one of the only independent legal webcasters. Today, “revolutionary radio” reflects our approach to radio: hand-picked music in a culture that encourages diversity and independence.

On Sunday, April 16, at 7pm, KSCR presented a concert of deliciously idiosyncratic indie rock music at GroundZero Coffee House. Headlining the show were up-and-coming rock stars Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Springfield, Missouri’s latest tribute to ex-Soviet leadership, whose Broom is a KSCR favorite. Southern California foursome Division Day have received rave reviews on their latest release, Beartrap Island; their sonic craftsmanship and bizarre lyrics are sure to win you over. The show was free for all ages, and was undoubtedly more fun than watching marshmallow Peeps explode in the microwave.

New Years Day, Cry Havoc, & Reinventing the Wheel

Join KSCR on Wednesday, April 12 as we present a lineup of Southern California’s finest punk bands at Ground Zero Coffeehouse. New Years Day has been confirmed as the headlining band. El Monte fivesome Cry Havoc released their debut album, The Outcome of Misery, in 2004, and are currently on tour through the western states. Reinventing the Wheel’s self-released debut EP The Perpetual Motion Machine assures great things ahead for the ska-influenced Orange County quintet. Original headlining band Orange cancelled due to.

KSCR listening party with an Umbrella

KSCR presented a listening party on February 22, 2006 at Ground Zero Coffeehouse. We spun the latest tracks from Belle & Sebastian, NoFX, Prefuse 73 and more. The evening was full of giveaways, with lucky winners taking home CDs, Amoeba Music gift certificates, and an iPod Nano. We rounded off the night with a special acoustic performance by Scott Windsor from the Umbrellas (formerly of the Lyndsay Diaries).

KSCR rings in 2006 with Fielding, Vavak, The New Fidelity

Fielding, Vavak, and The New Fidelity helped ring in the new year on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 for KSCR’s first concert of 2006. Fielding, native of Long Beach, CA, just released its self-titled debut on The Militia Group in October. Acoustic indie players Vavak are described as “a touch of Coldplay with a dash of Tom Waits.” The New Fidelity, purveyors of indie-pop/Brit rock, had a song featured on the short-lived WB series “Jack and Bobby.”

M83 at GroundZero

KSCR and Joysplosion presented a concert of epic proportions as ambient popsters M83 dropped by for a live set at GroundZero Coffee House on Wednesday, September 28. Also slated to perform were Brooklynites The Double and “ADHD” rockers Voicst. M83 is currently on a brief US tour; the French duo’s most recent release, Before the Dawn Heals Us, stayed on KSCR’s charts for nine straight weeks.

Phantom Planet headline Welcome Back Concert

USC kicked off the school year with its annual Welcome Back Concert on Saturday, August 20, 2005. Erstwhile Coachella performers Phantom Planet and up-and-comers The Shore and The Lovemakers took the stage at McCarthy Quad as a crowd of thousands looked on.