Y Rock has morphed

Five years ago, in the aftermath of Radio One's earthshaking move to eliminate the Y100 format at 100.3 FM. station honchos Josh T. Landow and Jim McGuinn launched an online alt-music station called Y-Rock. A year later, WXPN picked it up and branded it as Y-Rock On XPN, adding over-the-air programming to its online component.

Then came sweeping layoffs last month at WXPN, and seven employees including Landow were riffed. (McGuinn had since departured for a radio job in Minnesota.)

Landow, whose last XPN broadcast was July 8, is back in the Internet-only indie/alt-music game with a station called YNotRadio.net, staffed by a volunteer staff -- Y-Rock hosts Adrienne, Andre, Cat, Heather, Jeff St. Pierre (Noise Complaint), Joey O, Liz Romaine, Matt Summers, Matt McGrath, Ramon Martinez (Rock Internacional), and Rob Huff (The Circuit).

He's now competing with XPN, which is maintaining Y Rock On XPN online.

Landow said he is not sure how he will monetize the venture, though he seems determined to keep the music playing. "I love sharing music with the people. It's important to me when I hear from someone, 'I found out about this band because of you.' "

A launch party is scheduled for tonight beginning at 6 at the Trocadero's Balcony Bar (1003 Arch St.) featuring local bands the Swimmers (8 p.m.), Pattern Is Movement (9 p.m.), and GANG (10 p.m.). Admission is free.