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Radio Dreams and NightmaresIn the vastness of the ether, often in the wee small hours, there lurks an entire world of radio, radio that is a far cry from the programmed-to-the-second, high rotation of the Big Three (2DAY, MMM, JJJ). Programmes which often exist in an uneasy alliance with their more conventional day time counterparts. Uncompromising, unrestrictive, unique, challenging: truly "radio that bites". In keeping with the Honi tradition of bringing you up to the cutting edge, Alex Lancaster spoke to some of the community-based radio programmers who make it all possible. Most of the programmes covered here are unique in that the music played is generally unavailable anywhere else on air. They range from the serious, almost academic tone of the ABC's "Listening Room", to 2SER's calm, contemplative "Quiet Space", and the complete anarchy of 2MBS's "Stalking the Nightmare". I have grouped the programmes into very broad musical categories, for convenience. So brew some strong coffee, curl up with the cat or dog, choose a programme you like the sound of, turn the stereo up to eleven and tune in! Programme: Bend Sinister Station: 2MBS Time: 12.00 - 1.00 am every second Friday morning, alternating with with Ultima Thule Presenter: Andrew Barnes Began: 1988 Music: Industrial music from the mid-1980s to the current wave of "cyberpunk" music. Includes early Sonic Youth, Cabaret Voltaire, No Wave music like Swans, to Gothic electronic outfits like Current 93 and Nurse with a Wound. Andrew likes to incorporate some of the more experimental current Techno music. Faves: Current 93/CCat Trance/Skinny Puppy/Chris & Cosey Why should people listen?: Andrew describes the programme as "aural shock treatment". Listen in if you want to hear "fascinating, twisting sounds, pure anarchy". Programme: Stops/Gaps/Measures Station: 2MBS Time: 12.00 - 1.00 am every second Thursday morning, alternating with No Room for Squares Presenter: Rik Rue Began: 1984 Music: A difficult programme to pigeonhole, within a range of un-pigeonholable programmes, Stops/Gaps/Measures features: sound experiments, environment recordings, sound text, cut-ups both local and international. Rik also runs his own cassette label - Pedestrian Tapes and would welcome contributions: P.O. Box 213 Pyrmont 2009 Sydney. Faves: Rik was somewhat unwilling to "iconise" the music by providing "favourites". Best approach: listen and make up your own mind. Why should people listen?: "If you've got ears - listen. It doesn't cost you any money to listen to community radio!" Programme: Listening Room Station: ABC FM/Radio National Time: 9.00 - 10.30 p.m. Monday on ABC FM /10.10 - 11.40 pm Sunday on Radio National. Presenter: No single presenter, co-ordinated by four producers: Tony McGregor, Andrew McLennan, Robyn Ravlich, Claudia Taranto. Began: January 1988 Music: It's described in the ABC press release as a 90 minute programme of "acoustic art". What exactly "acoustic art" is, however, is somewhat hard to pin down. Executive producer, Roz Cheney: "it's a programme that utilises the stereo medium to its fullest. ... a programme which covers a wide range of forms and ideas". The works generally come from specific commissions and submissions from artists, students and other programme makers. Faves: Not really applicable Why should people listen?: Roz Cheney: "It's exciting , unpredictable, avant-garde... Programmes range from one hour of savannah sound to something that might fit in at the Performance Space" Programme: Big Broadcast Station: 2SER Time: 12.00 - 1.00 am Thursday mornings Presenter: Ashley Scott and Harry Zantley Began: 1988 Music: The Big Broadcast began its life as Scream and Dance in the early 1980s featuring mostly tape collage work (see Wake Up and Listen and Stalking the Nightmare), its direction has changed to playing more "composed" music. It's avant-garde contemporary music, and in the words of Ashley "will play anything but John Cage", whose influence he reckons has been somewhat overestimated. Ashley likens the program to a musical archeology, unearthing records from the past 50 years, from composers who sometimes "might prefer to remain underground". Faves: Ashey: Xenakis/Pierre Boulez/1950s-60s European electronic music particularly German and French Why should people listen?: Ashley: "We play music that has been covered up and forgotten, we try to excavate it". Programme: Wake Up and Listen Station: 2MBS Time: 1.00 - 3.00 pm every second Thursday morning, alternating with Sample and Hold Presenter: Shannon O'Neill and Adrian Bertram Began: 1992 Music: Wake Up and Listen basically play havoc with pre-existing material: play records backwards, use excerpts from mass media, then add effects such as reverbs and tape delays into the mix. The effect is unusual and often startling. A compilation tape featuring material from the last six months shows will soon be available, write to: 2MBS FM, 76 Chandos Street, St Leonards, c/o Wake Up and Listen. Faves: Old 50s and 60s schlock records, Adrian: "best records cost under 50 cents". Why should people listen?: Shannon: "It expands people's experience of what music can be. Many contemporary composers recommend that music should be played creatively. Public radio should be doing these sorts of things" Programme: Cyberslurry Station: 2RSR Time: 6.00 - 9.00 am Wednesday mornings Presenter: Seb Chan Began: 1989 Music: Described by Seb as an alternative to "bland" breakfast shows, the programme features a range of alternative music of an particularly of an electronic leaning. Cyberslurry was first on Australian radio to play cuts from Friendly Fascism the album from Consolidated, a Canadian-based industrial/rap group. Other music you might hear on typical show: This Mortal Coil/KMFDM/On-U-Sound/Coil/My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult/Headless Chickens Faves: See above Why should people listen?: Seb: "Because of the range of music played, we give people an alternative to other more specialist shows and the music on Triple J" Programme: Stalking the Nightmare Station: 2MBS Time: 1.00 - 3.00 pm every second Friday morning, alternating with Ultima Thule Presenter: Terry Brown Began: Early 1980s Music: This programme is probably about as bizarre as radio gets, Terry features cut-ups and montages, particularly from film and TV soundtracks. Terry, who also runs Land Beyond Beyond, a comic shop on George Street, likens it to the Burroughs (William S.) method of cutting and splicing, "but it must always be musically entertaining". Faves: The Residents/Negativland/Current 93/Boyd Rice's Music, Materis and Misanthropy ("a record everyone must own", says Terry)/50s & 60s jazz soundtracks Why should people listen?: Terry: "It's the only programme to play this stuff. It's unique." Programme: Ultima Thule Station: 2MBS Time: 12.00 - 3.00 am every second Friday morning, alternating with Bend Sinister and Stalking the Nightmare Presenter: George Cruickshank Began: 1988 Music: Broadly an "ambient" programme. "The idea of the programme is to create a homogeneous programme using music from a broad range of styles". Thus Mozart might be juxtaposed against Kate Bush or the Kronos Quartet. George is presently starting a record label, Archon Music, which should soon produce a compilation CD. He'd love to hear from any interested parties: P.O. Box 434 Glebe 2037. Faves: Harold Budd/Byzantine Chant music/Dead Can Dance/Vangelis/Hector Zazau/Paul Schutze Why should people listen?: George describes the programme as "ambience with attitude". What's most heartening is that he guarantees no "New Age" music and absolutely no Ken Davis. Hear-hear!! Programme: Quiet Space Station: 2SER Time: 11.00 pm - 1.00 am every Monday evening Presenter: Hans Stove Began: October 1990 Music: "Music for your head and heart and not your feet" is the by-line of this programme. Initially spurred on by the demise of Triple J's "Ambience" programme, Hans says the programme has evolved over time, and incorporates more jazz leanings and is not completely comfortable with the "ambient" tag. Faves: Steve Roach/Brian Eno/Jon Hassell/Harold Budd/Arvo Pärt/artists on the ECM record label/religious music/Paul Schütze Why should people listen?: Hans: "It's an oasis of sanity at the end of your radio dial at 11 to 1 on a Monday. It's music to make you feel good about yourself" Programme: Phraseology Station: 2MBS Time: 12.00 - 1.00 am every second Tuesday morning Presenter: Simon Hayman Began: 1983 Music: Described by Simon as "ambience for the hard of hearing", he likens the programme to a soundwork in which the 50 minutes of interrupted sound (10 minutes for the back announcements) forms a piece of music in itself. There may be internal theme within the programme, however source material ranges from ethnic music to 60s melodic rock. A recent programme consisted of: a piece of street music from Mexico/Holga Hiller/an early tape piece from Steve Reich/an electronic piece from Czech Jaroslav Krcüek/Steven Brown/Pierre Henry/Rik Rue. Faves: No specific favourites. Some recurring names: Psychic TV/Nurse with Wound/Pop Group/Merzbow/Hector Zazau/Zoviet France/Edgar Froese/Test Dept/John Zorn/Material Why should people listen?: "The programme introduces material to people by presenting it in an unusual context. Hear the familiar become unfamiliar." Programme: Alternative Music Show Station: 2SER Time: 10.30 pm - 12.00 am Friday Presenter: Wayne D. Z. and Leonie Crane Began: 1985 (as the Punk Show), for one year as Alternative Music Show Music: Independent music from 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Wayne takes an historical approach to the music, to give people some idea of past "underground scenes". The music ranges from Iggie and the Stooges/60s garage stuff to British and American punk and post-punk: Damned/Dead Kennedys/Drunks with Guns. Likes to feature side projects of successful bands like Dinosaur Jnr/Husker Du/Descendents. Faves: Wayne: Dead Kennedys/Drunks with Guns/Wire. Leonie: Damned/70s British punk/Lubricated Goat/Kryptonics/Box the Jesuit Why should people listen?: Wayne: "We like to broaden the musical horizons...If you know of bands that have "made it" - find out some of their side projects" Programme: Zootime Station: 2SER Time: 9.00 - 10.30 pm Saturday Presenter: Benjamen, Andrew and Brigitte Began: 1983 Music: Australian music. Although Benjamen doesn't like the terms, "independent" or "alternative", they do go some way to describing the music. This show concentrates specifically on the Sydney music scene, in contrast to Triple J's national focus. The presenters pride themselves in presenting a professional show featuring: a gig guide/reviews of new albums/singles/giveaways and at least one interview per week. Faves: Benjamen couldn't name favourites, but here's a few artist you might hear in a typical show: The Welcome Mat/Smudge/The Hard On's/Plunderers/Black Eyed Susans/Scattered Order/Loop Orchestra Why should people listen?: Described by Benjamen as "the slickest and most incisive independent music show in Sydney. It will plan your weekend for you. Listen to keep your finger on the pulse of the Sydney music scene." So you've been told! Programme: Eardrum Station: 2MBS Time: 12.00 - 1.00 am every second Wednesday, alternating with Touching in the Dark Presenter: Steve Ryan and John Laidler Began: 1981 Music: A solely African music programme. From bush ballads to electric in a thousand styles (including hybrids such as salsa, merengue, afro-arab..). Steve says the programme tends to take a more historical or educational approach, rather than concentrate on new releases. Faves: Presently Tanzanian music particularly Remmy Ongala from Super Matimila Why should people listen?: "People should listen if they want to hear music from a culture with a long, rich history. It's music that opens up and embraces. It's a value system, community-based rather than individual-based. It's music with a great sense of space." Programme: Jungle Beatbox Station: 2MBS Time: 1.00 - 3.00 am every second Tuesday Presenter: Trevor Parkee Began: 1988 Music: Basically a Black music programme. Hip-hop/African/70s funk. Occasional R&B and touches of jazz. New releases as well as original 1970s funk releases. If you want to hear the original baselines that so much hip -hop lift samples from, this is the place to listen. Faves: Felakuti ("sort of an African James Brown", says Trevor) /Parliament/Funkadelic/new Hip-hop Why should people listen?: "I like to look at Black music as a whole from about 1970 onwards. Contemporary music owes a lot to black music." Programme: Visions of the World Station: 2MBS Time: 1.00 - 3.00 am every second Wednesday, alternating with the Pounding System Presenter: Jeff Wallace Began: End of 1989 Music: Reggae, mainly "roots" (in the original vocal tradition of reggae, derived from ska) and "dub plate" (heavy on the bass line and drums - see also the Pounding System for a more specialist focus on this form of music). Jeff is also a contributor to Isis, a quarterly Sydney magazine devoted to black music and culture. Annual subscriptions are $10, available from P.O. Box 236, Dulwich Hill. Faves: Steel Pulse/Bob Marley/Pat O'Banton/King Tubby/Jah Shaka/Mad Professor/Scientist/Dub Syndicate/On-U-Sound Why should people listen?: "It's food for the mind, music to relax and meditate to. The music I play is a culture in itself." Programme: Globestyle Station: 2SER Time: 10.30 pm - 12.00 am Wednesday Presenter: Paul Chapman Began: 1982 - 83 Music: Globestyle is Australia's longest running world music programme. "Music that is informed by a knowledge of traditional music cultures but is aware of the international music scene", according to Paul. He features artists that have been top of their field for many years. Paul credits Youssou N'Dour as the creator of modern Senegalese music, however, N'Dour has only just been recognised here, following successful appearances at Womadelaide, the international music festival held in Adelaide recently. Faves: Zairean soukos music/Malian dance music/Salif Keita/Youssou N'Dour/the late Le Grand Maître/Kanda Bongo Man/Diblo/Abdul Tee-Jay Why should people listen?: Paul: "If you want to hear the really creative end of music - listen - it's more about musicians than making money." Programme: No Room for Squares Station: 2MBS Time: 12.00 - 1.00 am every second Thursday, alternating with Stops/Gaps/Measures Presenter: Peter Firmager Began: Early 1991 Music: Soul - Jazz, "Rare Groove" and Funk from 1960s to 1990s, Peter's list of favourites says it all. Faves: Ruben Wilson/James Brown/JBs/Lonnie Smith/Funk Incorporated/Johnnie Hammond/Anne Peebles/Curtis Mayfield/Brand New Heavies/Johnnie Guitar Wilson Why should people listen?: Peter: "Hear stuff here that you can't hear elsewhere. There's not enough black music on radio, perhaps there should be a 24 hour black station." Programme: Touching in the Dark Station: 2MBS Time: 1.00 - 3.00 am every second Wednesday, alternating with Eardrum Presenter: Paul Carrol Began: Late 1990 Music: Soul - jazz funk, more specialised than No Room for Squares focussing on 1960s and 1970s black music, both vocal and instrumental. Faves: Miles Davis/John Coltrane/Herbie Hancock/James Brown/the JBs/Meters/Funk Incorporated Why should people listen?: Paul: "Only show focussing exclusively on jazz-soul-funk in the southern hemisphere." Programme: Sample & Hold Station: 2MBS Time: 1.00 - 3.00 am every second Thursday Presenter: Murray Gibbs and Robert Prior Began: 1986 Music: Basically jazz-fusion from mid-1960s onward especially contemporary Australian: Steve Hunter/Carl Orr. Reference points: Chad Wackerman/Alan Holdsworth/Micheal Brecker. Murray says that occasionally some 70s "progressive" rock such as King Crimson, Atomic Rooster and Emmerson Lake & Palmer creeps in. Faves: John MacLachlin Trio Live (1989)/Billy Cobham Spectrum (1973)/anything by Weather Report Why should people listen?: "If people are awake at 1.00 am, listen to find an alternative to anything else on the air - there are no other fusion programmes in Sydney." Murray welcomes tapes comments and suggestions. Programme: Pounding System Station: 2MBS Time: 1.00 - 3.00 am every second Wednesday Presenter: Mark Ottingham and Richard Fielding Began: 1982 Music: Longest running reggae programme on radio. Mark describes the music as "basically any reggae/dub that has an edge to it, rather than trying to have a populist approach by covering old areas". This is the programme which introduced producer Adrian Sherwood and his On-U-Sound record label to the Australian listenership. Faves: Scientist/On-U-Sound/Horace Andy/Prince Far I Why should people listen?: The programme is for those with hardcore tastes, Mark: "We're uncompromising in the music we play. We have no concerns about playlists". Programme: Splashdown Station: 2SER Time: 10.00 - 11.00 pm Monday Presenter: Four different presenters, a different one each week Began: 1982 Music: Reggae. Less specialist than the Pounding System. Covers more of the genre by use of four different presenters. It produces a fortnightly newsletter Downsplash which is free to anyone who can be bothered to send their name and address into the programme: Splashdown, 2SER, P.O. Box 123 2007. Faves: Dependent on the presenter Why should people listen?: Mark Ottingham: "It is the premier reggae program in Sydney and has a loyal audience who feel hard done by stations like 2JJJ who indulge reggae in only a token way". This guide is intended only as a starter to the delights of public radio, there are radio stations operating all over Sydney (see station guide, below), so there's plenty of opportunity for dial twiddling. Furthermore, as is the nature of community radio, there are programmes lasting a matter of months and so such a survey can, at best, be only representative - never comprehensive. It's also an exciting time for public radio. Interesting changes are afoot if proposed limited sponsorship of programmes goes ahead. This will affect the quality and content of programmes, hopefully for the better. Now really is the time to get involved and support this vital alternative. The Stations: Where they are and how to tune in to them
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Radio Dreams and Nightmares