Canadian radio station plays RATM's Killing In The Name on repeat for hours after presenters are laid off
It’s been nearly 24 hours, and they’re still not doing what you tell them

We never get tired of a great riff, and Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello has penned more than a few all-time classics. But a Vancouver-based pop radio station KiSS Radio 104.9 FM is currently testing its listeners’ tolerance to Morello’s funk-metal riffing, after RATMS’ Killing In The Name has been played back-to-back since 06:30 PDT on Wednesday.
While the reason for the endless cycle of Killing In The Name isn’t entirely clear, it all began after morning hosts, Kevin Lim and Sonia Sidhu announced on Tuesday that they’d be leaving the station after a five-year tenure. This was followed by afternoon presenter Tara Jean Stevens announcing that she is also set to leave the station.
"KiSS is changing and unfortunately we were informed that we won't be part of this new chapter." the duo said in a statement. "Although this comes with mixed emotions, we want to express one overwhelming feeling: gratitude.
"First and foremost, thank you...our loyal listeners and now friends. We are so incredibly thankful for everyone who shared their mornings with us and invited us into their lives through the radio and our podcast. We've never taken you for granted."
The Vancouver Sun reports that listeners have been calling-in to request songs, only to be ignored and served up more Killing In The Name with the only interruptions coming from sporadic reminders that we’re listening to KiSS 104.9.
Meanwhile, The Guardian contacted KISS Radio, and spoke with a man who asked to be called Apollo after Rocky’s Apollo Creed, who told the publication, “I’m not allowed to say. I’m just a guy in a booth, just letting the Rage play over and over. What do you think? Do you like it?”.
@RATM @tmorello a pop radio station in Vancouver 🇨🇦laid off all of their staff yesterday. Whoever is on the controls this morning has been playing Killing In The Name Of on repeat since 6am (it's now 9:30). @KevinLimOnAir @Sonia_Sidhu It's beautiful. pic.twitter.com/kXi9BLKWb0June 29, 2022
Tom Morello also took to Twitter to show his support by retweeting a message from a fan informing him of the protest, accompanied by a gif of The Shawshank Redemption’s Andy Dufresne relaxing after locking himself in the Governer’s office.
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However, while it appears that the station has had control of its airwaves hijacked by defiantly protesting programmers, some are suggesting that this is merely a cunning publicity stunt as the typically pop and classics-based radio station heads for a possible change in direction to a more rock-oriented programming.
At the time of writing, it’s been almost 24 hours and the song is still playing. You can check in on its progress here.

Stuart has been working for guitar publications since 2008, beginning his career as Reviews Editor for Total Guitar before becoming Editor for six years. During this time, he and the team brought the magazine into the modern age with digital editions, a Youtube channel and the Apple chart-bothering Total Guitar Podcast. Stuart has also served as a freelance writer for Guitar World, Guitarist and MusicRadar reviewing hundreds of products spanning everything from acoustic guitars to valve amps, modelers and plugins. When not spouting his opinions on the best new gear, Stuart has been reminded on many occasions that the 'never meet your heroes' rule is entirely wrong, clocking-up interviews with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Green Day and many, many more.