SO ALIVE: Happy 5764 to you and yours. I rang in the New Year with the Radiohead show at the Hollywood Bowl. Some might deem my manner of celebration heretical, but for decades, most of my spiritual inspiration has come from rock music, so this was an absolutely appropriate venue for my High Holidays observance. Although our respect for Radiohead never waned, Kid A and Amnesiac left many of us confused, and attentions wandered. Hail to the Thief restored everyone’s faith in Radiohead’s deserved status as one of the most important and meaningful bands currently making music. Even the most apathetic, research-driven programmer would’ve come away from Friday night’s performance feeling inspired and electrified. Or so I choose to believe. Maybe my experience was heightened, not by the extremely close proximity to many recognizable celebrities, but by witnessing the sheer joy of those nearby, whether it was the cute rave boy (with the girlfriend who couldn’t find the beat to save her life), or KROQ APD Gene Sandbloom and his family. KROQ and Radiohead’s decade-plus relationship was enhanced with yesterday’s Breakfast with Kevin & Bean taping at Capitol, which was similar to the intimate radio gatherings I had the privilege to attend in NYC. Few bands evoke such passion from their fans. KROQ has managed to translate that passion into call-out success because they believe in this BAND. Last week’s three sold-out White Stripes shows at the nearby Greek Theatre were populated by an equally enthusiastic crowd. This was a mainstream (for L.A.) audience—far beyond the alleged core of “hipsters” that radio programmers point to when explaining why a left-of-center record garners big phones. If the Greek holds approximately 6,000 and the Bowl, at conservative estimates, holds 18,000, then Radiohead and the White Stripes were seen by 54,000 in L.A. last week. I find that incredible, encouraging and mind-blowing (all at once). I had reality-show commitments that precluded my attending the Jet/Kings of Leon gig at the Troubadour, which Erika said was completely brilliant. PoMo radio is beginning to find room for these buzz bands, with Elektra landing KRBZ, X-96, WDYL, WPLA and WWRX on “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” this week, as RCA reeled in KROX, WEDG, KRZQ and WRAX on “Molly’s Chambers”…. It isn’t even PMS week, but I’m feeling pretty emotional about certain records. OutKast’s “Hey Ya” is a remarkable piece of music—some say it sounds like classic Prince (it reminds me of Disco Tex & the Sex-O-Lettes’ “Get Dancin’”) and it sounds incredible on KROQ. The new OutKast album was the first of many big Rock2k debuts this week, bowing at #1 with over 500k sold! Not bad for a double album! Dave Matthews occupies the #2 spot this week (after playing to 200k+ fans in Central Park) and Limp Bizkit’s new one enters at #3 on the sales chart. Nickelback and Fuel also debuted in the Top 15, proving that kids wanna rock (to quote Bryan Adams, among others). The other song I can’t stop playing is Ryan Adams’ new single, “So Alive,” which KBZT PD Garett Michaels compares to “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Adds at PoMo this week included the aforementioned KBZT, WBCN, WBUZ, WLUM, WKRL, WHTG and more. Our friends at Island also had a breakthrough week with Thursday’s “Signals Over the Air,” including KDGE, WFNX, KXTE, WSUN, KWOD, WJBX and WBTZ. Howie and Christine are also THRILLED with the immediate response to the new Hoobastank single, “Out of Control,” which showcases the band’s growth from their first record…. Epic dropped the new Korn single, “Right Now,” which was PoMo radio’s answer to the question, “When will you add the new Korn single?” Jacqueline, Joel, JJ and Margie reeled in KROQ, Q101, KNDD, KNRK, KTBZ, WXDX, WXRK, WXTM, WZZN, CIMX, KFMA and many more within moments of the song’s delivery, while also being #2 Most Added with Audioslave’s “I Am the Highway.” Chris Cornell is the embodiment of a ROCK STAR. You can have your emo bands—I’ll take the swagger and THAT VOICE any day…. Ted Volk and his team have a new Coldplay single, “Moses,” from an upcoming live DVD/CD. While you overthink the research potential of a new song from the most successful band of the past year, WHFS, Q101, WBCN, KCNL and WROX have already added the track…. Switchfoot’s own sold-out tour should pique your curiosity. How can the band sell over 1,200 tickets when you’re not playing “Meant to Live”? Can you wrap your head around the notion that a band can build a base without your airplay? Now you can remedy the situation by adding the single, just as WJRR and WSUN did this week…. The band that changed my life, Television, will be headlining the Henry Fonda Theatre in a few hours. I’m so excited I keep forgetting to breathe…. Another big inspiration, Iggy Pop, has a new single going for adds next week. “Little Know it All” (featuring Sum 41) should be Iggy’s biggest radio hit. If you’re truly lucky, you’ll have an opportunity in the near future to see him perform. If your belief in the proverbial power of rock & roll has been dampened by factors beyond your control, an Iggy show will restore your faith… SONG TO HEAR: Interpol’s “NYC”….. PEOPLE TO WATCH: Bryan Schock, Kevin Mays, Bob Waugh, Marco Collins, Jenni Sperandeo, Mary Shuminas, Susie Dunn, Gary Spivack, Howard Leon, Aaron Scott, Lisa Cristiano and Bill Burrs.