[2][3] This station received a construction permit in 1978, and signed on in 1980 as KHIP, only to become KMXZ in 1992[4] During this time, it broadcast at 93.5 FM.
On November 4, 1996, KAXT flipped to alternative music, branded as "CD-93" (broadcast studios primarily used CD players at the time).
At the time of the format change, the core artists included Ani DiFranco, Shawn Colvin, Smashing Pumpkins, Fiona Apple, 311, Counting Crows, Alanis Morissette and others.
Alternative and Triple A tracks were replaced by pop-leaning songs by artists such as Ace of Base, Madonna and Prince.
Around the same time, an all-request 80's New Wave program called "RetroAction" began airing Saturday nights from 9 to midnight, hosted by Sini Man.
The station's Fall 1997 lineup included Mike Skot (mornings), Sandy Shore (middays), program director Bill Goldsmith (afternoons), and Sini Man (evenings).
In 1998, the station added even more pop-leaning tracks, including "You're Still The One" by Shania Twain and "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion.
The playlist also shifted to a more Hot Adult Contemporary blend, which included current songs by LeAnn Rimes and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
The 80's songs also changed to include more Bon Jovi and Def Leppard, and the "80's New-Wave" Saturday night show was subsequently dropped.