KAOS (FM)

KAOS (89.3 FM) is a hybrid college-community radio station licensed to The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. It broadcasts in HD Radio at a power of 1,250 watts and also streams live via the Internet. The station continues to offer free radio broadcasting training to students of The Evergreen State College.

History

KAOS was founded by Dean Katz of The Evergreen State College. When he traveled to Seattle to apply for the station license, his official papers had the radio station call letters as KESC (for "Evergreen State College.") However, unbeknownst to his adviser and almost everyone else, Katz had other ideas, being a fan of the TV show Get Smart. The license was granted under his surprise application and broadcasts began January 1, 1973.

The station has been a mainstay in Olympia's local music scene, including a famous early appearance by Nirvana on April 17, 1987 (their second public appearance and first ever radio broadcast) and a Kurt Cobain solo acoustic performance on 1990 (both included on the Nirvana box set With the Lights Out).