University Radio Reminiscing - Smoke Radio Freshers Week (September 2006)

My arrival at university in 2005 wasn't much of a heady period.
Excited to be back in London, but no idea on how to go about living there.
Save for an outing to a gig at the Clapham Grand, I felt like a hermit
during the freshers week of my first year at uni.

Remaining that way until getting to do my first show on Smoke Radio in November,
and from then on, it was impossible not to be occupied.

Determined enough to embrace the following year's Freshers' Week fully as possible
and the audio below will hopefully give a sense of how intense but enjoyable
it really was.



By then I was responsible for looking after the station's on-air imaging
where we'd added a female voice, that of Phillipa Collins who presented
on the then "One Network" for Gcap before they got bought out by Global Radio.

It definitely gave me focus, a lot of work in the month up to Freshers itself,
and the presenters loved the end results, thinking it made the station sound more "sexy". 

That said, a new tagline had been forced upon Smoke Radio
"One Station, One Sound, One Westminster" which no messing about,
it was a load of bollocks.

Students felt it was too similar to a not so ancient Radio 1 strapline, whilst a PR lecturer
spotting the banner on campus, was more than keen to point out it's resemblance
to the Nazi propoganda slogan, "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer".

Founding members Joe Haddow and Mark Jackson had handed their managerial
reigns over to new editors Ross Tilley (News and Online), Ross Goodlass (Marketing and Events)
and Ricky Marshall (Programming and Music), but their presence was still felt,
not least with Joey brought back to host his ever brilliant "Joe Haddow Music Show" (11.28).

Without doubt, my favourite presenter on the station during my time there.

The daytime line-up remained roughly the same as the summer broadcast in May that year,
Smoke Signal returning with Jo Cave joining "Stevie Mate" on the lunchtime
magazine show. 



With the station's music policy more pop-leaning than indie as in the first year
(hopefully illustrated in the below Spotify playlist), the new team wanted
Smoke Signal to be more light-hearted, but that didn't mean an end
to the no-holds-barred interviews with SU officers.

Not least Rayhan Omar (16.33), the then VP comms which may have turned a few heads
over the financial support Smoke Radio was getting, as unlike the other sabaticals
he gave us all the good word when they wouldn't give us the time of day.
(Or pull out of guest hosting a show at the last minute)

Rayhan was even able to take criticism, re; the organisation (or lack of) of the Freshers Fayres
that year. Not to mention being such a nice guy on a personal level,
pushing away any self-doubt when things got tough.

There's also a welcome return for Westminster Radio alumni Danny Wallace at (31.53),
this time in person at the Regents Freshers Fayre, though I still feel gutted
at never getting the chance to meet him myself.

Ross Tilley returns at 4.00, joined by fellow radio student Cat Bonner in a role
that Tilley modelled on Carrie Davies, the then "sports monkey"
on The Chris Moyles Show.

The ideal end goal for returning member and Annabel Giles soundalike Ali O'Boyle,
home from Australia and throwing herself right back into the chaotic goings on.

Not least as the roving reporter at the many Freshers Fayres (2.41) with "chaotic"
being one word to describe the organisation of said events this year...

Following them was Andy B's "Supersize Lunchbox" (5.03) which may have been the weak link
in hindsight. A chance that the 06-07 team didn't get the show and it's random off-the-cuff antics, explaining why it didn't return post-Freshers.

Dan P returns at 6.25 with the 4-5 Sesh, and what a talent.

Upping the ante to broadcast a whole show from a fresher's bedroom just one day
after receiving an e-mail from a listener suggesting the idea, and alongside co-host
Chris Jones, hosted a Blind Date contest with more new arrivals (18.22).

It was also the first time I met another Chris. A first year radio student who shared the kitchen
of the fella who invited Dan and the team round. He probably thought I was an overenthusiastic
idiot, but ended up becoming one of my best mates over those four years at uni.

Dan's commitment couldn't be faulted, the planning for the bedroom broadcast
was near to an all night job, almost to military precision and it was great to see everyone helping out.

And back in the prestigious 5-7 slot, Goodlass and Marshall (7.29),
getting an amazing guest in the form of Dave Benson Phillips (22.01) offering advice to students,
and charting the development of "Get Your Own Back" which was still
repeated on the CBBC Channel at the time .



I was bricking it at the thought of following on from arguably the most entertaining
interview on Smoke Radio, but the first Soul Expression show of the year went fairly well,
this time just with two people in the studio rather than four as in the summer broadcast,
with Pippa from the Evening Session guesting (25.57).

And wishing in hindsight that I would actually let her get a word in edgeways.

There was no real logic to having an additional presenter on the shows
for Freshers and end of year broadcasts but it made it feel extra special.

Possibly too special for the one in May 2007 but we'll get onto that when 
the time comes.

The intended selling point was the first play of the new Incognito album
but with the first track played being the stunning cover of EWF's "That's The Way Of The World",
the last on the album, it made all the others seem less important in hindsight.

Not to dismiss the album as a whole, which when listened to in order is stunning.

Following my manic shambles are a return for the 80s Team with Cat and Ina (28.17),
followed by Paul Calvert and Ross Powell joining forces for "The Live Variety Show"
devoted entirely to live performances (29.42).

Having hosted solo in the first year, it was right to give Paul someone to bounce off,
and having hosted a daytime show in the first year, Ross was the perfect
foil to Paul's enthusiasm and music knowledge.

Those two when paired together made me laugh so much over that year.

Other specialist shows in the above audio include Pip and Chris's "Evening Session" (13.57)
and "The Punk Show" (15.04) relishing the enjoyment of the annual "Talk Like A Pirate Day".

And also a much-awaited welcome back to Smoke International (39.48),
the hardest-working show on the station with Hungarian Atilla rejoining the team
after a semester down under.

Apologies if I've left anyone out. You were all great, and I'm just completely
knackered after listening back to it all.

The week was definitely one of the highs of the four years at university
all down to a number of shows working that extra bit harder, making the effort for
it to feel and sound special, as opposed to "show-and-go" and leaving
things until the last minute. 

In short everyone involved really cared.

Rounded off by a raucous night at the converted scout hut known as "Area 51",
there was the underlying thought with the comedown of lectures starting the week after,
and attempting to get a regular schedule sorted for the rest of the Autumn,
had the 06-07 academic year peaked too soon?

Or more realistically, had we set too high a standard of on-air output?

Here's the tunes as played throughout Freshers, which in the tradition
includes a few hangers-on, not just from the preceding summer months
but a few dancier tunes from the spring that may have sounded out of place
on the Smoke Radio of old.

Not to mention a few tunes near the end that got a spinning at our Area night.



And only right to finish at 44.35 with a self-penned poem from
the muti-talented Daniel Peay.

University Radio Reminiscing - Smoke Radio's Big Broadcast Bonanza (May 2006)

Another selection of audio, this time from the end of my first year
at Westminster, and the first full year for Smoke Radio,
setting aside the 8th to the 12th of May 2006 for "The Big Broadcast Bonanza".



Even though term time proper finished in early June, most BA Media
students had finished their lectures before Easter. Besides it was the only available
week when the radio rooms weren't in the hands of PostGrad Journalism students.

Despite a rainy start on the Monday, the enthusiasm didn't wane,
having been in preparation for at least two months beforehand,
following the success of "Smoke Aid" a full day of live shows raising awareness
of National No Smoking Day.

The aim of the week was to stretch the excitement of that day over five days,
and I don't think we did too bad a job of it.

0.44 Smoke Signal, The return of the daily magazine show hosted by Steve Jones (on the first
of three stints presenting), and third year radio student Sophie Pringle.


Photos by Edward Burke

Bearing in mind the two only met 20 minutes before the first show,
they hit it off, riffing off each other, and giving good interviews
including Westminster radio alumni Danny Wallace at 27.48.

The show also a got a scoop with Embrace's Danny McNamara at the Wembley
recording of the video for England's World Cup single for 2006, only Swansea-bred Steve
refused to venture up there.
Handing the reigns (and white and red face paint) to Head of News Ross Tilley
who with the help of Dan P reported back to us via the Scoop Reporter. (3.05)

This week being the first we put the soon-to-be infamous O/B equipment to use.

Even though the song was rubbish, everyone in M-Block found it hard
to stop singing, possibly because the chorus resembled The Libertines
"Likely Lads".  

3.50 The Supasize Lunchbox with Andy B. A show that aired on Wednesday lunchtimes
during term time, it was promoted to follow Smoke Signal giving a more light hearted
feel after the busy chaos of the show preceding it.

Not that things weren't even more chaotic, such as getting a blind radio
presenter to play Jenga live on air.

First year radio student Jo Cave was brought in to lend a hand, impressing
a few fellow members to have her promoted as co-host of Signal for Freshers
the following autumn.



Jo also heard at 18.30, co-presenting on my soul show which putting it mildly was a mess,
but enjoyable it at the time. 

5.52 One of the longest running shows, in fact they got an award for it at the end of the week,
Tom & Maz, who station bosses Joe and Mark weren't never too sure about,
but this week may have shown them at their best.



The addition of Tudor, who spent the week videoing the shows for the "video podcasts"
may have added extra depth, made moreso with Maz driving the desk for the whole week
and the Doctor Who "chav" gags.

A reminder of how superb series 2 was.

8.40 the 4-5 Sesh as hosted by dearly missed Dan P (pictured centre).



Such a talented, versatile, and witty guy as proven in the above audio, who rightly
got a special prize at the end of the week for making the extra effort.

Big things were lined up his way over the summer, including working
with Jamie Oliver to produce a series of cooking podcasts.

Goodlass and Marshall show up at 12.10, who at the beginning of the year started off
as two of a six-headed show on Friday evenings.



It proved too much having a lot of voices in one show, so after Christmas it moved from
Friday evenings to Friday lunchtimes, reducing the team of 5 to just Ricky and Ross
and from then onwards, they were amazing.

A fantastic chemistry and entertaining features, not least the "Nanogram" quiz (13.26)
with Ross's real life nan Jaqui Glover, who this week was put up against 4 other nans.

The other members of the team Seb, Jon and Matt spun off into their own specialist
show "Smokin Records' on Thursday evenings, heard at 21.32, where they were rather
miffed about my revelation of attending an Earth Wind and Fire gig down the road
at Wembley Arena that evening without inviting them.

The senior radio lecturer wasn't too happy about their jibes made on air,
but on hearing it later on I thought it was hilarious. And no where near as mean 
spirited as what would be encountered in later radio exploits post university.

Other specialist shows included an Australian music special (15.20) from one of the most
popular members at the station that year, Ashlee, a study abroad journalism student from Oz
who cut her teeth as part of the Smoke International show and blended in
brilliantly with everyone from all years on the radio course.

And the ever raucous Punk Show at 20.45, hosted by Josie with the questionable
addition of Ross Tilley which although entertaining, got a few heads turning
over the show containing more of them than any music.

Rubbing it in further on that Tilley wasn't a fan of punk.

22.38 the debut outing for what may well be my favourite specialist
show, "Tudor Rock", of which the title came up as a joke in a committee meeting
but was soon pushed for to become real.

We weren't disappointed, Edward Burke's unique offering of "Rock, Metal and Ranting",
of which Embrace's single for the 2006 World Cup was a target, with the unfortunate
timing of being transmitted the day after the band were interviewed on the same station.

But then again, all shows that aired after 9pm were recorded a week in advance.

At 24.10, hands down my favourite show that aired throughout my time at Smoke Radio
Shuffle, hosted by Film Studies lecturer Adam Hodgkins, and Contemporary Media student
Zo Beig presenting a show centred around a different theme each week, which they described 
as "so left field, we're not actually in the field".

Joey treated the boys to a two hour special to round off the year, based around 
"The Z-A Of Record Labels" of which I got a bit excited when they played SL2
to represent XL.

26.22,"Incoming" a show added at the last minute due to schedule drop-outs, hosted by
outgoing SU Comms officer Rob Watson. A nice guy who would offer his support
to Smoke over the coming years, yet common ground was found via his
candid opinions on acts such as Jack Johnson.

31.48 Tom's back to help finish off the week with his Drum And Bass show of
which there was a big following for said genre on the Harrow Campus.
Not least the noisy occupant of the flat next door to me in halls that year.

Reaching a point where a commercial music student even got as far as getting
Pendulum to play at the converted scout hut that was Area 51 in March '06.

By the end of the week I was near to tears, the thought of how so much had progressed
over the past 6 months, and it was all coming to an end until September.

Listening back to it, that sense doesn't crop up in the same way it did then, though
that's hindsight raising it's head, knowing that things would be taken even further
that Autumn.

You'll hear what we did for Fresher's Week 2006 in the next blog post
even if it hasn't aged as well...

Here's a rundown of the tunes that played interstitially throughout the week.

University Radio Reminiscing - Smoke's Out For Summer 2 (May 2008)

Things are looking towards some sort of optimism, despite little uncertainties.

I have been managing them with a lot of binge-viewing, in this case
every episode of Noel's House Party on a nightly basis, of which I'm about to start
Series 6 (1996-1997) where many felt it started to fall apart.

It's all positive however, as it's part of a 30th anniversary series-by-series
set of blogs dissecting the show, with the help of television enthusiast 
and pres bod Jonathan Bufton who has analysed the bollocks I have written and
turned it into something readable.

They won't be posted until November, but I also stumbled across a series
of posts from Jon's own blog reminiscing over his time at the award-winning
University Radio York back the early 00s.

Graduating just months before I started my own student radio exploits
at the then new and fledgling Smoke Radio.

It's incredible as to how a lot happened over the four years I was there
many of mixed emotions, but definitely my most enjoyable time in radio
that's never quite been bettered since (even though my presenting was rubbish!)

It's inspired me to write my own blogs, if not in a chronological order,
starting off in May 2008.


Photo by Dan Roberts

"Smoke's Out For Summer - 2" at the end of what was meant to be my final year
but a little wobble extended my stay a little further, which could have been triggered
by the heady goings on of the first SO4S the year before.

More on that at a later date, but here's a selection of the highlights, if you can call them that
from the 12th to 18th of May 2008.




The aim for this week was to bring the station out of the studio, and onto the many
sites of the university in both Central London and on the Harrow campus where Smoke
was based at the time.

Due to unreliable O/B equipment, the infamous "Scoopy" that wouldn't stay linked for more
than two minutes, we were reduced to presenting from just the Harrow campus
on the courtyard one day, the SU shop the next, and there's a good chance
we did more than one from the Undercroft bar where I sipped many a VK Tropical
over those four years.

The following year's summer broadcast with improved equipment allowing the station
to venture further than just Harrow ended up winning Best Outside Broadcast at the 2009
Student Radio Awards. Much to the anger of Canterbury's CSR where I had just joined
and were rooting for their Lounge On The Farm festival coverage.

Audio from a future Radio Academy Award winner can be heard at 7.05, the final lap 
of honour for Steve Jones, a guy whose love for radio and university sport shone through
during his three years at Smoke Radio.

Later going on to a sterling career producing at 5 Live and now helping to run
the Crowd Network podcasting indie.

A guy who I'll always remember as "Stevie Mate". Doubt he would, mind.

Definitely a sense from many of the sports teams that they'd come a long
way over the three years from everyone being in their own silo to all working
together as one by the end.

Which could be the opposite of my predicament at uni,
certainly after the manic episode.

If there's one takeaway from this week, it was incredibly self-indulgent.

None moreso than "Fix Up Dave Sharp" a campaign to get a lecturer, barely known
outside the radio course at Westminster, to grow his hair back to how it was 15 years ago,
inspired by the late Kurt Cobain.



It was also a period of goodbyes to a few long-serving members who had been there
since the station's infancy,
Namely Edward "Tudor" Burke, heard at 14.02 giving a foul-mouthed farewell to his rock show,
and the station's stalwarts of the 5-7pm slot, Goodlass and Marshall. Later to find success producing innovative television documentaries, and Radio 2's breakfast show respectively.


    Photo by Edward Burke

Such achievements post uni would probably come second to the dream of winning
the Best Entertainment Award at the Student Radio Awards, which they never got nominated for,
not helped by their Leona Lewis parody tearing in to the SRA judges after it happened
two years in a row.

The duo were joined by the Stephen Mulhern to their Ant & Dec, Ross Tilley
former head of news, and forever frustrated singer, performing a ditty to the duo
at 19:18.

This week was also the last to pay host to "Smoke Signal" the first ever show
on Smoke Radio, wheeled out every Freshers Week
and end of year with a different duo each time.

The final two incumbents being "Housewives' Favourite" James Poulter
and study abroad student Jane SY Lee, one of many venturing from Oz
over the years.

Not forgetting what may be one of the funniest moments at the station
involving the then Head of Web Stewart Paske (pictured above in the top photo),
whose presenting abilities were easily open to ridicule.

Worth noting the doctored Radio 1 presenter jingle from the early 90s introducing him at 10.35.

On observing breakfast presenters Chris and Pete, and Tudor trying to sabotage his show from the neighbouring studio, I came up with the idea of sticking a Hanna Barbera "Boing!" sound effect
in place of a song.

Not telling them beforehand what the SFX was, on hearing it we burst out laughing
for at least two whole minutes.

Still one of, if not the funniest Smoke Radio moment.

Listening back to this audio after 13 years has been an experience,
probably even more enjoyable than it was at the time, even with the odd
mouth-wide-open moment over little asides that you just couldn't get away with now.

Amazed that it was even considered acceptable then.

However in hindsight, the sheer self-indulgence, relentless in-jokes, 
entitlement from long-serving members (guilty) and ultimately a struggling relationship
with the SU meant there would be big changes to the station come September.

A Barely Cultured Lockdown Binge

There's signs of hope over the coming months.

Provided no one in power, or any stupid people (in some cases, both)
mess things up, many will be able to spend the summer at festivals,
or in my case walking from Sutton to Skegness listening to
compilations of radio recordings from the early 90s.

Whatever happens, the months up to at least September should be covered
via one-episode-per-night binges of entertainment series that may not be
"culturally significant" enough to be uploaded onto legit streaming services.

Currently three series into Noel's House Party, with all the episodes (just
about) posted on Youtube, and by this stage Mr Blobby was on course
to topping the charts and the then controller of BBC1 hailed the show as
"the most important on BBC Television".



I'll post a series-by-series review of the whole lot around November time
to coincide with the show's 30th birthday.

Though two of the actors with regular bit parts in the Gotchas may have inspired
future binges, with the occurrences of Geoff McGivern and Rebecca Front
prompting viewings of "Back" and "The Thick Of It" respectively.

But it's not just Saturday evenings being revisited, having just finished
the first series of ITV's early 90s Saturday morning puppet fest "What's Up Doc?".



A series that upset my Dad, not so much for the risque content,
but the cheese-obsessed Simon Perry, a character who dad thought was
taking the mickey out of people with special interests and learning disabilities.



A good chance then, that he would have lost his rag on seeing
Chris Jarvis's "Anorak" on CBBC around the same time.

I've never took offence to it, as while the character may have 
the visual stereotype traits, they're not made fun of directly and it's them
providing the laughs intentionally with the many double entendres.

On the other hand if I see any "Zzzzip!" comments or related GIFs
on social media then they're deserving of an unfollow.

Digressing, it's a show that may be even funnier now than seeing it first time aged 7,
all too aware that the complaints about the innuendos and not-so-subtle swearing
lead to a mass revamp halfway through series 2.

All down to the resignation of producers Ged Allen and Vanessa Hill,
not wanting to be involved in the watering down of their show,
and eventually forming their own indie, returning to ITV's Saturday mornings
a decade later when the "Ministry Of Mayhem" filled the space left by SMTV.

The 2005 episodes of MOM currently being uploaded weekly so they'll most likely
become the next Saturday (and Sunday) morning binge after finishing "What's Up Doc?".

Having already skimmed through the 2004 episodes, it's a tough slog
and no surprise that Dick and Dom were hammering them. 

As for What's Up Doc, I'll spare any blogs as there's already
a very comprehensive insight Into the Warner Brothers inspired
Saturday morning show, telling the whole rather depressing story.

Had it not been for Ant, Dec and Cat, it could have ended up
as ITV's last great Saturday morning show.

Escaping To Emptiness

Right at the beginning of the year, I jetted, well, railwayed off to Devon
for a weekend, with nowt but a few Joni Mitchell LPs and old
radio recordings of 30 years, attempting to get round my head
that 1990 was now 30.

An outing so enjoyable, not even the "Orphan 55" episode of Doctor Who
could ruin it.



I'd no idea the visit would end up being the one highlight
of an otherwise rotten year.

Though had I seen it coming?

I'd already sensed there was very little out of seeing in the decade
by staying on the radio, with the final helping of my "Random" show
airing on CSR just before 2019 was out.

Whilst melancholy tunewise, it was a show worth treasuring,
though that was my problem.
  
Radio shows aren't really meant to be treasured.



I wasn't out of the loop completely, having been more or less forced
in to running for a position on the CSR committee (again),
this time as scheduling assistant.

A role that maybe five years ago I would have relished in, 
this time round I just couldn't be arsed.

Encouraged to be involved in such a capacity because of my
lengthy radio experience, but there's a difference between experience,
and overall enthusiasm.

Everything enjoyable about the Canterbury station (if not quite
matching the one at university) had disappeared gradually
over the past five years, a once lively building on the UKC campus
now pretty much empty on every visit, bearing in mind this was pre-lockdown.

The ongoing decline of members rendering very little to schedule full stop,
which may have also lead to the station bidding adieu
to it's FM platform a few months down the line.

If I was starting to feel this way towards a once worthy pastime,
maybe it was time to move away from it.
Which I had done once, but second chances and so on.

Though not before standing in just over a month later
on the Sunday lunchtime show, which used to be fun
but as you'll hear in this, I didn't want to be there.

My opening words said more times later on in the year
whenever asked to participate in a Zoom quiz.

Not helped with it being the same weekend as Storm Ciara
(feeling like years ago now), and finishing the show half an hour
early to avoid the possibility of my train home being delayed.

Is it really possible just to fall out of love with something you enjoyed?

Or more a case of being fed up pursuing implausible outcomes from it?

Despite the frustrations, there were fewer issues with home life,
all down to daily visits from a support worker who didn't just
help with cleaning jobs, but also shared my interest
and enthusiasm for television and music from when we were
growing up, quite often being better-read than I was.

All more the case that I was enjoying this far more than being
in a radio studio, anticipating her visits every day.

Until it all came to a sudden halt on the first lockdown,
and the rot of Cliftonville became more prevalent.

If it wasn't noisy neighbours (including the oaf in the flat below me),
it was angry residents chucking cans of beer at me for not following
through with their threats, late night street parties,
and just the unpleasant area as a whole.

If anything, it showed what a bloody good job said support worker
must have done over the past two years, and we're still friends on Facebook.

Luckily I was able to move to a new flat in an old haunt,
returning to Ramsgate in August and no better timing,
what with the area I left in Margate getting even worse with house fires,
radiators chucked on the road and so on.

But I miss, well, not doing radio, but having something creative and enjoyable

to base my life around.
It's just not possible to achieve that on my own, without anyone else
sharing the same enthusiasm which naturally evolves into ideas.

Or maybe I just don't like being around other people full stop,
fed up of falling into the trap that you're on the same level as them
until they tell you to go away when you least expect it.

That, or them responding with just an awkward silence.

I'm very close to naming names who have done just that at radio conferences
and social events, (a lot of them respected in the wider industry),
but doing so publicly would make me worse than them, if I'm not already.

On the other hand there are individuals that try to force you
into their own world no matter how unrealistic or just plain irritating
it really is, where every sentence has to end on an unfunny joke
or forced laugh.

Definitely the case with my voluntary radio past.

If what was enjoyable has become frustrating, I have to go elsewhere,
hence the beach weekends away on my own.

The energy once used for planning radio shows, now used
to plan months, even years in advance, what compilation albums
I want to listen to on a solo outing to Skeggy.

No one else can get in your way, but the thoughts and recollections
of such cold interactions are still there, refusing to fuck off.

But ultimately it comes down to having Asperger's Syndrome,
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, whatever it's called this decade,
and not wanting to embrace it.

I'm embarrassed by it. Really.

To the point of actually wishing the condition on neurotypicals,
as a networking do at any social function is no different
to the school playground.

The year just passed has been challenging for all, yet others are
able to smile in spite of the shite.

There's no way I can force myself in to being uncontrollably happy
in an unconvincing manner in the same way as many irritating
users on social media who are easily pleased by GIFs, emojis,
or asking questions for so-called-friends.

If that spark for enjoying radio returns, it will make a massive difference
as right now, it's a lot more satisfying travelling to beaches
or North London woodlands, listening to those who are/were better
at making audio, than attempting poorly to do so myself.

Run! (While The Sun's Still Shining)

 A number of songs can be triggering either for good or bad.

One of them was played earlier this morning on Radcliffe Without Maconie
on 6 Music as part of the "Sampled Underfoot" item, "Run (I'm A Natural Disaster)"
by Gnarls Barkley, the lead single from their lesser remembered second album in 2008.



A period that was rather uncertain on my part, having returned to university
after what happened in 2007.

The sample itself hails from "Junior Jet Set", a library track composed
some 40 years earlier by Keith Mansfield, which sort of relates to uni
as I spent many an hour in the radio rooms transferring library CDs.

Though not the brassy sports themes of the 1970s, but the very synthy compositions
from the mid to late 80s, which one student described as "80s music gone wrong".

Bringing it back to Gnarls Barkley, it lead to ongoing thoughts about how
awful that period was in early '08, attempting to recover from it in completely
the wrong way, acting all brash when it wasn't necessary in hope of getting noticed 
amongst indifferent students.

It would have been better to have spoken to either the senior radio lecturer,
or ask for help from other staff about my uncertainties,
rather than spraying less-than willing Smoke Radio presenters
with silly string, or tagging along on an expensive radio outing to Bath to no avail.

Although the final university year faired better, that period from
early to mid '08 still leaves me feeling muddled.

Though for reasons that may be explored in a later blog post, it's always
going to be uncertain, but a coping mechanism is by going on lengthy
walks with more old radio recordings.

Two of them, coincidentally featured two different songs by Bob Seger,
one being the 1995 re-release of "We Got Tonight" as played on
the recently departed Minster FM in York, whilst the other was
the livelier "Hollywood Nights" from "West Coast Johnnie Walker".

A series aiming to recreate the broadcaster's San Francisco radio heyday
that aired on Saturday nights in 2014.

One of many filling the hole left by Paul Gambaccini after his sudden suspension
of which he was reinstated by the end of the year.
Only to be demoted 18 months later to hosting "Pick Of The Pops"
to replace the equally scapegoated Tony Blackburn.

I'm amazed I didn't listen to the series first time round, as it wasn't long
after the equally sublime "Yacht Rock" with Katie Puckrik that lead
to a two part BBC Four documentary last year.

Though with more restrictions ahead, will it be a case of "Yacht Lock"
overlooking Cliffsend?

Last Minute Holidaying In Herts

A lot's happened, I've bid adieu to Margate, returning south to Ramsgate,
albeit not the same house, but a much nicer flat in a less noisy area
en route to Pegwell.

Yet a month into settling in, itchy feet have made their mark and I have
headed home to Harrow, on my first London visit since March of this year.

Normally I spend the August Bank Holiday on coastal shores, with a visit
to North West London normally towards the end, though this time I'm spending
two nights in a country hotel in Old Redding, a halfway house between Harrow and
Watford, pretending it's 2007.




Though in 2007 I felt as if it was 1989 and that sort of perspective lead
me to being locked up in August that year.

No coincidence that the hotel itself is within a serene woodland, not too dissimilar
to the hospital I stayed in, only without the nurses, the mood softening drugs 
(though "softening" and "completely messing up" are actually two different things)
and with responsibly drunken alcohol.

Yet it wasn't just me in such a nostalgic mood, as half of Twitter appeared to
be pretending it was October 1988 last night, with a live tweetalong to
"Remembrance Of The Daleks".

Just as well that I brought along a Facemask to match.



The other one, as seen below was a result of watching Gemma Hunt
in her virtual CBBC studio on BBC One whilst in hospital.



Though by the time I was let out, Gem had been ditched
in favour of a pretend office and a puppet cactus that in no doubt
was a coincidence, with the fact I kept waking up in the night
and screaming to be let out.

(And Mum, Dad, and Kate if your reading, for the 50th time, 
no I don't want any plants in my new flat!)

The visit has just been an excuse to venture further on walking outings
and today I made a long awaited visit to Aldbury, a rather delightful village near Tring.

Though it's cultural connection as such, was being renamed Shillingbury
some 40 years ago in the ATV drama series "The Shillingbury Tales"
starring Bernard Cribbins as a clumsy tinker.



I also spotted the artefact below, what ought to be renamed "The Shillingbury Stocks"



A massive comedown may be inevitable what with the uncertainty
on future outings in the coming months.

Though on the plus side, anywhere's better than Ethelbert Terrace.

Trunk Of Telly - Green Bugs and Blue Bears on The Box

Ask any one in their 20s what Saturday morning shows
they remember, and it's doubtful "The Saturday Show" would be one of them.



Launched in 2001 with Dani Behr and Joe Mace to lukewarm results,
and revamped a year later with Simon Grant and Fearne Cotton
who were more stable if not memorable.

And in an attempt to take on CD:UK, the final 45 minutes
was devoted to "Top Of The Pops Saturday".

With many viewers in the belief that CD:UK made TOTP look staid,
putting them up against each other on Saturday mornings just reinforced it further.

Though by then both shows were indistinguishable from each other,
the memory of switching between them on a Saturday in early 2003
and both were doing a video review panel.

Simon and Fearne were on a hiding to nothing, all down to a show on the CBBC
Channel also airing on Saturday (and Sunday) mornings resurrecting all out anarchy,
and messiness, presided by one Dick & Dom.



With ITV attempting to poach them for SM:TV, CBBC went one further, promoting
them to BBC 1 on Saturday mornings whilst retaining the Sunday slot on CBBC.

Of which the show that had previously aired on CBBC Sundays was already
promoted to BBC 2, the rather underrated but fondly remembered "Smile"
airing there since August 2002.



Produced and hosted respectively by the team behind "Diggit" it was described
as a "Saturday morning show on a Sunday", with more a laid back atmosphere
minus the studio audience but plenty of cheeky wit from presenters Fearne,

Reggie and DJ Devstar.

And the rather cute puppet bear (though resembling a monkey) Nev.



It was enough to draw me away from T4, which by then had been
outsourced to an indie and wasn't even presented live.

There's more Smile in the below montage of various bits from CBBC
and CBeebies from 2003-2004.




Ending on the afternoon following the announcement of Caron Keating's
death, handled well by Blue Peter in spite of the then CBBC commissioning
editor Dot Prior questioning its relevance.

Note that Andrew's minus Angellica, having headed to Glasgow
for the summer as one third of the slimmed down "Saturday Show"
with only Simon Grant and the titles (reduced to just a sting)
surviving from the last series.

In for Bell is a fledgling Gemma Hunt who back then bore
a resemblance to Alesha Dixon.

Though by this time, the rule that "nobody is bigger than the Broom Cupboard"
was supposedly implemented with Angellica back on afternoons by the autumn.

You'll see her and many others in future uploads to come.

Self Isolation and Self Indulgence

The present situation doesn't feel any different my end.

That's not really the right thing to say, but save for a daily visit from support
for an hour, every Monday to Friday, it's just me here in my Margate flat.

Many are suggesting that radio is vital for these challenging times especially
local radio.

Familiar voices, information and entertainment, which to my ears immediately
translate into condescension, tedium, and many presenters who badly
want to be either Steve Wright or Alex Lester.

The latter I've never got, and the former, well, he used to be good in 1989.

My radio is barely switched on all day as it is, and there's very little elsewhere
on the dial that will make me want to switch from either Greg James first
thing in the morning, or Charles Carroll, Susan Rae et al last thing at night.

They may not be within a distance of easy reach from my flat,
but that's my source of reassurance and familiarity.

And not to say that inane items are fully out of bounds, as if they're
done confidently with presenters willing to send them up, then that's fair game.

None finer than Radcliffe and Maconie's "Crisps On The Radio" a staple
of their 6 Music weekend breakfast show, recently performed live to observant
crowds in Camden.

Podcasts are also worthy a listen. Many changing perspectives on presenters I've
not warmed to on the radio alone, such as Edith Bowman's amazing "Soundtracking" series and Fearne Cotton's "Happy Place".

Cotton not quite letting the radio bug escape, having recently started
a "Sounds Of The 90s" show on BBC Sounds, also airing on Radio 2,
though I'm rather frustrated by the on air trailer for the show,
as there's a snippet of the Thames Television ident in it.

An ident that was dropped in July 1989, and hadn't been seen
for even longer outside of the London region.

But without the tiny bugbears, radio wouldn't be as interesting.

And with everything as it is, it's more vital than ever, wherever
your preferred spot is on the dial.

The Blamires Trunk Of Telly - Adult TV (Not In That Way)

Though there may be a few smidgeons of strong language in

the offerings below.




Branching outside children's presentation, and the wider offerings
of the four big terrestrial channels from the 90s into the 00s.

Starting with the BBC, featuring amongst other randomness,
two Newsnight openings.



Oddly enough there was another in between both of them which only
lasted around 18 months, featuring a poor synth rendition of
George Fenton's long running theme tune.

Having dropped it's long standing ident in 1996, Channel 4
underwent another rebrand three years later, replacing the circles
with a square.

The first day of it's use can be seen here, as well as the below
montage.



Including Josie and Dermot with the school holiday schedule filler
"The Bigger Breakfast", and more T4 with their coverage (if you can call it that)
of the 2000 "Party In The Park".

Where an unscheduled appearance from a foul-mouthed technician
earned them a slap on the wrist from then regulator the ITC,
not to mention many negative e-mails to Heat magazine's
letters page over there being more padding, than actual performances.

And last of all ITV, both regional and national, spanning 10 years
of trails, idents and the odd show snippet.



Including towards the end, the desperate daytime shambles
that was "Loose At 5.30!".

A dissection of said rush-job can be read here, via the old "Off The Telly" website.

The Blamires Trunk Of Telly - (Not Entirely) Wasted Youth

To say it's currently a tough time would be understating it a bit.

But in such instances, it's impossible to resist the urge to go back,
and through televisual means definitely.


For too long I've resisted the urge to transfer my mountain of VHS tapes,
but they're all stored in my little orange box, waiting to be uploaded,
starting with a venture into children's presentation from the then all four
terrestrial channels.

First up mid 90s CBBC shenanigans, featuring a very young Dick
from Dick and Dom, or "Richard" as he was known in 1996.




The editing may be shoddy in places, but that's the result of
12 year old me either being impatient, or trying to save space on a
180 video cassette.

A montage below of stuff from "the other side", the ever changing
face of CITV from the late 90s to mid 00s.



GMTV was always a bit cartoon-heavy for my liking growing up, yet still
felt the urge to tape the odd smidgeon of stuff in between.



You'll meet a very young Fearne Cotton on "Diggit" and a very
hyperactive Jamie Rickers "Up On The Roof".

And the piece de resistance, nay a late 90s obsession T4.



An assemblage on the ever changing Sunday strand from the
relaxed wit of Dermot and Margherita, to the scripted sarcasm of
Steve Jones and Miquita Oliver.

Towards the end, there's a personal highlight from the early years
when the New Radicals made a run from 124 Horseferry Road in March '99.

They'll be plenty more to come from "adult television" in the coming days,
though not in that way.

Loads more continuity and pres bits guaranteed.

Get It On (and preferrably outdoors)

For a few years I have listened to a show on BBC Radio Scotland called
"Get It On", a nightly request show based on a different theme per show.


An influence for the show I hosted until a few weeks ago on CSR,
only this one's entertaining, and actually acknowledges there's an audience.

Until last night however, I had never listened to it as it went out live
what with it normally accompanying many a lengthy walk along the Thanet shores.

So more than fitting that last night's was a show with songs themed around The Night or Darkness and it peaked quite early with "The Night" by Frankie Valli.

Others played were a lesser heard album track from the Human League's "Dare",
and Buddy Holly's "Blue Days and Black Nights" which sounds nothing like
the nursery rhyme about the grandfather's clock.

But listening to the show in the intended linear manner just didn't feel right.

It didn't feel comfortable even.

It wasn't good accompaniment for my evening meal, even if the show's
interaction provided details of those better than mine, in the same manner
as the correspondence to Liza Tarbuck's Saturday night Radio 2 show.

And for someone bemoaning others that don't like change, it may have been
a sign of an autistic trait not wanting to move away from routine, missing
the usual televisual presence of Katty Kay and Christian Fraser
on the BBC News Channel and "Beyond 100 Days".



Hosted from Washington and London respectively, their presence and enjoyable
interaction filled a void at teatimes last year, left by Jo Whiley and Simon Mayo,
seeing as I was the only listener who enjoyed their show.

And yet this afternoon, an older "Get It On" accompanied my walking to
and from Birchington, and it just felt right, if not at the right time of broadcast.

Possibly a warm up as such to a weekend away tomorrow starting in North
London and moving to Torbay, with a few old radio recordings to listen to
whilst walking through Paignton, including a Radio 1 chart rundown from
early 1990 for late on Sunday (as recorded from Radio 2 on FM with the 7pm
handover)

If only I was good at planning my own radio prospects, as I am with
beach walking weekends.

Slightly Manic Near Margate

I know I haven't blogged for goodness knows how long.



Yet looking at my drafts on here, they're all very similar to each other
often of a not so positive perspective.

Though as I type I'm in a very hyperactive mood though not necessarily
in a happy way, though more of being in a rush to get things done,
in spite of the fact that there really isn't a rush to do so.

It may be a force of habit, not quite acknowledging that I don't share
my flat with anyone, but still feel the need to get my cooking utensils
washed at great speed.

There's a lot of inside worries too. I won't go into great detail but
it makes it hard to focus on happier things approaching such as
visits to Cromer, Southend and Devon this Autumn into next Winter.

That and a few visits to London, including on Thursday to meet up with
probably my best mate on the radio course, who's recently achieved
the accolade of opening a new digital radio station.

Just chatting on Messenger not too long ago it left me thinking that
we both get the fact that sometimes it's better to converse in more
closed off and quieter places, as opposed to alcohol-fueled flat parties.

Not that they'll be an end to them, there's room for both.

But that's something that bigger radio peeps just don't seem to get,
only swapping the flat parties for radio conferences.

You think you've finally made a connection with someone you've looked up
to and then you realise you haven't all to a misunderstanding of communication
and you don't want to speak to them again.

No messing about here, I'm fed up with it.

And that may be why I gave the Radio Festival a miss this year, not to
mention the expensive ticket prices.

That's the other issue with living alone, struggling with finances even if I
have a support worker making visits during the week to help with things
I should be able to do, and thought I would if when I got older.

The way things are going, I'll probably never get older.

Though those thoughts are better explained by an English teacher who
has autism who I discovered on Twitter and his brilliant Tweet threads
such as this one, that finally manage to point out that it's not just me.

I find myself escaping from any angsts by resorting to (un)ashamed indulgence.

Whether that be watching episodes of Eastenders from 10-20 years ago,
or putting together montages of radio recordings from even further back.

The latter feels even better at night, no idea why putting different audio extracts
in a multi-track is more enjoyable in nocturnal hours.

Dare I say it, more enjoyable than doing radio itself.

Being scared of change or unexpected change can cause me to be manic
but I hope it settles down.

"Telling Me About Myself"

Understanding other people has long been an obstacle.

Only until now I have never understood myself, my day to day
likes and dislikes, and how I get by in a single day.

Writing a blog post and noting down my traits may be a massive help,

and to help others who may read it understand too.

I feel more at ease, knowing that there's someone that I trust
who is there at hard times. (And doesn't just say it without meaning it when
a crisis arises)

But at the same time I don't want to engage in small talk with anyone for

the sake of it.

I struggle to see the point of it, and never know (or possibly want) to
respond to questions such as "how has your day been" or "what are you
up to this weekend?"

Engaging in small talk simply doesn't make any sense to me, and I've never
ended up feeling better having done so, as opposed to feeling even more
agitated.

I have special but narrow interests.

Radio may be the biggest out of them.

But at the same time, I may be falling out of love with it.

Unlike my university course, I don't have day to day interaction with other people
involved in it.

And to be quite honest, the industry as a whole doesn't seem very welcoming,
and is quite shockingly lacking in empathy.

I get more enjoyment making montages out of old radio recordings
to listen to on long weekends away on English beaches.

And that may be what I enjoy the most.

I'm normally on my own but I don't feel bad about it as I am away from
my home and don't feel as pressured.

But at the same time it would be nice to have proper friends.

And not just friends who also happen to have Autistic Spectrum Conditions.

It's something I have struggled with, if it's made me more aware of my
own traits.

Or is it because I struggle to get on with people as a whole?

Since moving to my own flat in Margate I feel as if I have become more introverted.

A lower income, preventing me from travelling as much as i would like to
hasn't helped.

Maybe finding a job outside of radio would be good for self-esteem?

But I have no idea what I would be good at, and wouldn't want it
to involve interaction with other people.

Especially if they lack empathy, and set tasks using the most vague
methods of communicating.

In short, there are just too many thoughts racing round, and not many
of them positive.

A Move To Positive Shores

A lot has happened since I last blogged.

Certainly in the last couple of months, as after almost five years, I will
be departing my shared accomodation in Ramsgate to my own flat
not too far, close to the waves of Margate.



With my own bathroom and kitchen, it will make a lot of difference,
and hopefully provide a more positive perspective on day to day life.

It may not be London, but that said, many former London residents appear
to be making themselves home here, not least the singer Ghostpoet,
who along with a few friends has set up his own radio station for the town
which happens to be based not too far from where I'll be moving.

Just a few yards in fact.

Though on that note, the change of circumstances has prompted me to
sort out a return to CSR in Canterbury, having stayed in touch with one
or two of the members, and after 18 months away, my radio show
Blam Jam will be returning on the 21st of July at 4pm, with every show based
around a theme, with the first being an 80s special.



It won't be the same as the old show, partly because it's on Saturdays
instead of Sundays, and reduced to half it's length, though that
was my decision.

All too aware that I'll be up directly against a third of Gilles Peterson's
show on BBC 6 Music, though to be honest, it's ages since I last listened.

Struggling to sit through many an "All-Winners Special" where to be honest,
only one or two tunes within a whole three show would even be considered
for a bronze medal.

I used to joke about my show being the poor man's Gilles Peterson, but
what with it expanding away from soul and jazz (though still dipping it's toe in now
and again) and adapting a slightly different structure, I'd say the new show will
be the opposite, on the basis that less is more.

And with regards to aspiring in radio, it's better to have a show than be without one.

Returning to radio was always going to be a tough decision, but knowing that I won't
have to go home after a show to unhygenic housemates, kitchen sinks left full of
boiling water from a kettle, and other ongoing uncertainties, the return itself
feels a lot easier to handle.

And it will be different.

2017: Far From 'Fantabulosa'

It hasn't been the most straightforward of years.

If anything my naivety got the better of me at the worst of times,
falsely falling into the belief that just being in a place with others
destined to go onto greater things, would guarantee me doing the same.

I'd finished presenting a regular radio show, but chose to carry on at CSR
with station sound roles and helping out where I could elsewhere.

Whether it be standing in on shows, or assisting with a 24 hour marathon
broadcast, the overall excitement and fun of it was starting to fade,
and certainly with the marathon broadcast, I was just waiting
for the show to finish, and get the train back to Ramsgate.

Not a good sign.

But I kept going, aware that if anything came up in the bigger world of radio,
it would be worth talking about in hope of impressing potential employers.

And in April arrived the possibility of a four week work placement at an independent
production company based in London only a few doors away from Wise Buddah
where I spent two fun months the year before on their Future IMGR placement.

It was potentially a great opportunity to get a sense what it was like
to produce programmes as opposed to just the the noises that identified them.

I had sent multiple e-mails and eventually got a phone interview with their
"production operations manager" and that's where it all went balls up.

The woman I was speaking to explained that they were looking for someone
who could "generate ideas for programmes in a sentence, like "a blockbuster movie".

A common trait within the broadcasting industry, using big words
or statements to cover up for very little substance.

Not being a massive fan of big budget pictures, it was only
one step of the way to suggest I was fucked.

But more discouraging was the interviewer's indifference towards my practical abilities
and past achievements such as the work I had done at Folded Wing,
hoping for someone who had at least worked previously as a broadcast assistant
at the BBC.

Hang on a second, you're wanting someone who's spent a lengthy amount
of time working in a paid position in broadcasting, to come and intern
with you for sod all?

Granted, no one working in radio should be doing it solely for the money,
but it's not a lot of money, barely enough to cover daily train travel
costs and living expenses.

What with me being a nervous wreck during the phone conversation
there was very little chance of me getting in.

Made worse by them e-mailing me a PDF document before the interview
listing all the perks of the placement such as sitting in on shows,
and getting an exit interview with the company CEO.

Almost identical to the late 90s ITV gameshow "The Moment Of Truth"
where little children were flashed money-can't-buy prizes at them, which they
could only win if their mum or dad could perform a feat of endurance
such as remembering every UK number 1 single.

It left me pondering if I could ever find work in an industry
I had loved and was passionate about.

Yes I was passionate enough.

But barely able to think on my feet, develop ideas under pressure
and produce them for air on the same day on a daily basis.

And in that rare instance where I appear to be never short of ideas,
to everyone else that's a cause for me to be sectioned.

In order to survive in radio you have to do more than just radio.

Whether that be reviewing gigs, being able to spot up and coming acts,
or putting on your own live music nights. All sorts of things that my condition
strips the social abilities of being able to do so.

And living in Ramsgate, where very little of interest happens, not helped by the
fact it hasn't moved into the 21st century, well it's no surprise I struggle
to get inspired.

But aren't there other options that may not be money earners, but still allow
you to enjoy making audio?

Well yes, but the key thing was that I wasn't enjoying it anymore.

Despite being offered to return to a show at CSR, or present for other online
or community stations, the fact that it's barely going to lead to anything,
and me suffering from the radio presenter/producer's equivalent of writer's block
brings to mind the last line of Kenneth Williams' diary before his death almost 30 years ago;

                                              "What's the bloody point?"

When I find myself getting more enjoyment listening to music on weekend
outings away in places such as Cromer in June earlier this year, it's a reminder
that maybe there are better ways to enjoy music and spoken word, than attempting
to do so yourself in an isolated room to little to no listeners.

















Yes, the Abbey Road. In Sheringham.


If there's anything hopeful for 2018, I have booked another weekend away
on the North Norfolk shores in late August, with a visit to Newquay earlier
on in the warmer months.

But is there anything that can occupy me day to day before then?

Well, it's easy to forget that for the last two years I have been on ESA
benefits and for good reason. My anxiety is at a massive high, and although
manageable, it can crop up in the worst possible places, be it an open
office environment, a radio conference, or even at a live music gig.

Most certainly if it's a long distance away from home, travelling to and
from on the same day.

And if that and many other thoughts are dominating my mindset, then of
course it's going to get in the way of achieving whatever task has been
set at me, to a high standard.

It may be an idea to get psychiatric help on dealing with the many "what if?"
thoughts, constantly emerging whenever anything practical that I'm
not used to doing is suggested.

And also to look back on the positive experiences that radio has given me,
such as the appearance on Radio 4's "The Listening Project" in the summer,
which covered a number of areas already written.

If finding the strength to focus more on what good I have done, rather than
what I struggle with, then maybe more positives will open elsewhere.

An ideal way to finish would be via two blogposts that hit home in the year
and so much better written than mine.

The first from Nadya Powell, on advertising and the increasing
obsession with data

"Dear John: A break up letter to the advertising community"

And this from Sarah, a fellow student on my uni radio course
and without doubt the best and most talented.

But even the very best get cold feet and for some reason
or other they fall out of love with it all.

"Flinging a Burning Dream Of A Cliff and Changing Career Goals"

As of typing I have no idea what I want to do day to day
outside beach breaks away. But if worked on gradually and maybe
when in a better mental state, I'll jump at the things I am scared of
and maybe I'll actually start to enjoy them.

Be able to look back on them, and actually realise they will pull through.