Seattle has a rich history of music and nightlife, with countless radio stations and nightclubs that have come and gone over the years. Many of these places hold a special place in the hearts of those who grew up in the Greater Puget Sound area. Now, thanks to Facebook groups, these long-gone Seattle radio stations and nightclubs are finding new life.
Facebook groups dedicated to remembering and celebrating the music and nightlife of old Seattle have become thriving communities. People from all over the world have joined these groups to share their memories, photos, and stories of the good old days.
One such group is the KJET SEATTLE group, which has over 800 members. KJET was a popular AM radio station in Seattle during the ’80s, playing modern music. While most alternative rock stations across the country were playing primarily new wave (upbeat songs that relied heavily on synths), KJET played a mix of new wave, punk and post-punk alternative music. At 1590 on the dial, the station operated from 1982 until it went off the air in 1988, but its legacy lives on in this Facebook group. The media section of the group is a treasure trove of goodies, including photographs of playlists, KJET print ads, and more. You can even find links to Mixcloud recordings of KJET broadcasts. It is interesting to note that two of the three moderators of the group are former KJET DJs, Mike Fuller and Bill Reid.
Another popular group is the KYYX Fan Club, which has close to 1,000 members. KYYX was another beloved Seattle radio station. While operating in Seattle, the station had a few different formats, but it was the period that played new wave music that had a lasting effect on listeners. KYYX kept the new wave format for just a few short years from 1982 to 1984 before it changed formats again to soft rock, much to the dismay of fans. The station was eventually sold and the call letters changed, but its Facebook group keeps the memories of the new wave era alive. The group, like the KJET group, features a treasure trove of memorabilia, links to recordings of broadcasts, and is moderated by former KYYX DJs. For those seeking to reminisce about Seattle’s new wave radio era, the KYYX Fan Club is a must-join group.
Facebook groups not only commemorate Seattle’s long-gone radio stations but also celebrate nightclubs that were once the city’s hotspots. One such group is OMNI Dance Club, with a membership of over 500. Omni was an underage nightclub located in Kent, WA that attracted a crowd aged between 16 and 20 during the mid-’80s to early ’90s. The club featured two distinct dance floors: one playing current pop and dance hits, while the other, known as “the dark side,” played new wave, goth, industrial, and alternative music. Omni united two contrasting groups of people, with some teens dressed in bright, fashionable clothing and sporting trendy hairstyles, while others wore goth-style black clothing and were often referred to as “bat-cavers.” Despite these differences, the groups coexisted peacefully, and teens often ventured into the opposite side to see what was happening.
It’s worth noting that in those days, teens could enjoy going out to clubs like Omni without the fear of gun violence that unfortunately plagues society today. The club was a place where young people could simply have fun and be themselves, without worrying about anything else. The memories shared in the Facebook group offer a glimpse into a time when life was simpler and people were able to enjoy themselves without any sense of danger or fear.
Although the club closed down decades ago and its building has remained vacant for decades, the Omni Facebook group continues to serve as a gathering place for former patrons to reconnect, reminisce about their favorite bands and dance the night away in their memories. Well-known Seattle nightclub DJ Steve “DJ Scruff” Roller is a member of the moderating team.
Seattle area club-goers in the 1980s
Photo credit: April Schoen
Teen club-goers at the Omni nightclub in the 1980s
Photo credit: April Schoen
Seattle area club-goers in the 1980s
Photo credit: April Shoen
Seattle area club-goers in the 1980s
Photo credit: April Shoen
Teen club-goers at the Omni nightclub in the 1980s
Photo credit: April Shoen
Seattle area club-goers in the 1980s
Photo credit: April Shoen
A DJ at Encore in the 1980s
Photo credit: April Shoen
Another popular nightclub of long ago was Skoochies. Located at 131 Taylor Ave. N., just a stone’s throw away from Seattle Center, Skoochies was a famous new wave/alternative nightclub that catered to underage patrons in the 1980s.
The club became a cultural touchstone for a generation of Seattleites, offering a place where teenagers could be themselves and find a sense of belonging. Many members of the Children of Skoochie’s, a Fan Club Facebook group formed long-lasting friendships with those they met at the club, with some even having tied the knot.
Although Seattle City Council passed the Teen Dance Ordinance in 1985, which essentially required all underage clubs to only admit patrons above 18 years of age, the club’s impact on the lives of those who frequented it was lasting. The Children of Skoochie’s, a Fan Club group has over 5,400 members who frequently reminisce about the club and its heydays.
The Skoochie’s Facebook group is planning to host the “Skoochie’s 40th Anniversary Dancebration” event at the end of September in Everett. The event is a chance for those who remember the club fondly to reconnect in person and celebrate its legacy.
Other notable Facebook groups:
- RKCNDY’s Best Show was…….Because…..? (660+ members)
- The Off Ramp – Seattle WA (1,400+ members)
- Guests of the OK Hotel (1,000+ members)
- The Monastery – Seattle, WA (1,299 members)
- Gorilla Gardens (650+ members)
These Facebook groups serve as a virtual time machine, transporting members back to a time when music and nightlife were an integral part of their lives. They offer a sense of nostalgia and a connection to a bygone era, as members share their stories, photos, and memories.
In addition to nostalgia, these groups also offer a sense of community. Members connect with each other over shared experiences and memories, forging new friendships and rekindling old ones. They offer a safe space for people to express their love for a particular radio station or nightclub and to celebrate the music and culture of Seattle’s past.
If you’re looking to revisit the memories of Seattle’s past nightclubs and radio stations, or reconnect with the people who shared those experiences, you’re in luck. Whether you were a fan of KJET or KYYX, or visited clubs like Omni or Skoochies, there might be an online group for you. If not, you can create one yourself. These groups offer a sense of community, where people can share photos, memories, and experiences, and even reconnect with old friends. So, if you’re feeling nostalgic, take a walk down memory lane and join one of these online groups – you might be amazed by the connections you make.
