Q & A

How did you become involved?
It reached the point where I couldn’t justify my ridiculously large record collection unless I started to go on the radio. I was put through the rigours of the RTR training course by Peter Barr, and after hassling him for a few months to listen to my showreel, he put me on the Snooze Button show, which I did for several months at considerable cost to my boyish good looks. I think I shaved a few years off my lifespan doing that show, but still, it was great fun and I don’t imagine I would do much with those twilight years, anyway. Somehow I wangled my way onto El Ritmo and Brain Blood Volume, and from there have jumped onto various other shows as a journeyman, and now have the quixotic aim of doing every show on RTR at least once. Full Frequency might be a tough nut to crack, however.

How long have you been with RTRFM?
About eighteen months or so. Have listened religiously for ages, though.

What do you enjoy most about presenting?
Making unexpected connections between different genres and eras of musical creativity. I have a theory that you can actually change the way people think with a judicious mix. It’s all part of my diabolical plan.

Strangest experience at RTRFM?
Hmmm, well, doing the graveyard shifts is always pretty surreal. At 4am you do sometimes start to hallucinate, without the aid of stimulants. I saw psychedelic-era Roger Waters once. He gave me a pineapple and said “Play this next.” He was right.

Favourite RTRFM programs?
Breakfast with Barr, Soulsides, Out To Lunch, Rock, Rattle and Roll, Difficult Listening, Full Frequency, Posted, El Ritmo, Woodstock Rock, Drastic On Plastic, Pocket Disco. I could go on like this for some time.

What do you do in real life?
I’m still not really sure. I have spent a lot of time doing research and writing things, though, so I guess that might make me a writer and researcher. Although I’d rather be a disco dancer.