Interview with Walter Gregg’s co-owner of Cranium radio and DJ for Walter's Wall of Woe radio show done by Patrick
1. Hello Walter how are you doing this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
I’m doing well Patrick, thank you for asking and inviting me to do this interview. My Name is Walter Greggs; I am Co-owner of Cranium Radio along with my business Partner and great friend, Jeff Alan.
2. When did you first start listening to metal and music in general? Who were some of the first bands and artists you listened to?
I grew up around music, Mom loves Bob Seager and Jim Croce, Dad loves Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. My Babysitter gave me two albums when I was 7 years old; Dio, and Metallica’s Garage Days. That grew into Slayer, White Zombie, and Pantera; after that I found Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, and the Mighty Gwar. It was all over after that, the more brutal the better.
3. When did you first get the idea to start up an internet radio station? Do you have anyone who helps run things or do you do everything yourself?
Jeff Alan and I were DJ’s at another station, we loved what we did there but we wanted to expand our horizons as far as genres go. We both love playing Metal, but we wanted a media where we could play whatever we wanted. So we started Cranium Radio and invited a handful of the most talented DJ’s we know. There is such diversity in the music we play here, anything from Rock and Metal, to Industrial and Hip-Hop.
We have a great team that help us in what we do, Our DJ’s are amazing and I will post there shows at the bottom. Behind the scenes we have Sarah Gautier and Sarah GS doing Media and PR work. Lael Clark Is a DJ, but he also does all of our graphic design as well. Jeff and I can’t do this all ourselves by any means.
4. .What would you say is the easiest and hardest part of running an internet-radio station? There seems to be a lot of internet radio stations these days what do you feel makes Cranium Radio unique?
Our Motto is, “Let the DJ’s do their show”. That’s what makes us unique; our DJ’s have full control to do their shows how they wish. (As long as it complies with our license of course)
I would say the easy part is jumping in the broadcast seat and putting together a show that you want your listeners to hear.The hard part is keeping the Equipment functioning properly, Internet issues; Technical difficulties are the worst. Anxiety flares up when you can’t broadcast.
5.What styles of metal do you play and support on the station, besides metal do you currently play and promote any other genres of music?
Everything, (with some exceptions of course,) see to question 4 hahaha
6.If any labels, PR companies or bands are reading this where can they send music to be played ?
You can always contact us on social media by searching Cranium Radio. If you want to submit your press kit you can hit us up at submissions@craniumradio.com
7.Are you all currently looking for new DJ's to join the station or is the roster full at this time? What are some things you look for when working with a new DJ?
We are growing quicker than expected, but we always welcome new talent. Something we look for is off the wall programming, something different and unique. Experience is huge, but not always a requirement.
8. Besides running the station you also do the show Walters Wall of Woe when did you first start this show?
Walter’s Wall of Woe actually started as a press column; before I became a DJ I wrote album reviews for my first station. Shout out to Eric Walls who came up with the name, he was my Editor in Chief. To answer your question though it was 2015 when I started working in the press industry.
9. What styles of music do you play on the show? What day does the show play and what time does it come on?
The show is everything Brutal under the sun, from Cannibal Corpse to Epicardiectomy. I also feature a ton of bands from my local music industry here in Phoenix, Arizona. I take requests in our chat room on the website for anything from the death metal genres; I also do interviews with a ton of great bands, local and national bands alike.
You can tune in to my show every Tuesday 7pm Eastern standard time on craniumradio.com or on your mobile device with the Tunein App, just search Cranium Radio.
10. In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground music scene? And what does underground music mean to you?
The absolute best thing about the underground is the camaraderie, festivals are fun once in a while, but there is nothing like going out to your favorite local venue and watching your homies band open up for a touring act that rarely comes through town. Buying merch at reasonable prices and supporting the engine that drives the underground. The worst part of the Underground right now is getting more people out to support the shows. Get off the Youtube and go enjoy a live performance without pulling your phone out for one night. Where do you think these bands get money for these videos everybody is watching? LIVE PERFORMANCES! (Ok Rant over)
What the underground means to me is a loaded question however; in today’s day and age it’s difficult to put a finger on that answer. I’ve heard unsigned bands that DIY their music in the garage sound better than albums recorded in major studios. The underground is what’s in your heart, only you can feel the underground when you’re in the thick of it.
11. When you need to take a break from the station and show what do you like to do in your spare time?
I try to spend as much time with my beautiful Woman; she is very understanding and supportive of my metal way of life. But really it’s work and music most of the time.
12.Thank you Walter for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you very much for the opportunity; it was nice being on the other side of the table for a change. If you’re reading this and love music, come check us out at craniumradio.com we have a chat room that makes it easy to talk to the DJ’s and hangout with like-minded people. You can also listen to us on your mobile device with the Tunein app, just search Cranium Radio and stream us to your favorite Bluetooth device. Here is a schedule of our DJ’s.
**All showtimes are Eastern Standard Time**
Mondays
The Brothers Grimm 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesdays
DJ Sado’s Midday Massacre 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Walter’s Wall of Woe 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesdays
DJ Spyder’s Industrial Espionage 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
DJ Jeff’s Whiplash Wednesday 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursdays
DJ Tyrant Lael’s Heathen Haven 8:00 pm – 12:00 am
Fridays
Old School with DJ Sado 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Motherfu**in Friday Show with DJ Ginger Al 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturdays
Wadzilla’s World 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Wastelands with The Wanderer DJ Gaz 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sundays
The Spectrum with DJ Sado 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thank you again Patrick for what you do in the industry, I look forward to working with you more in the future.
Radio Station Contacts
http://craniumradio.com/
submissions@craniumradio.com
https://www.facebook.com/craniumradio/
https://twitter.com/Cranium_Radio
https://www.instagram.com/cranium_radio/
