Read by Robin, in '23

It would have been tempting to name this blog post "Books Of The Year",
but went against it for fear of Simon Mayo's book-related podcast issuing a writ.

And the fact that the producer of said pod has written a book himself.

"Art Is Everywhere" - by Joe Haddow, illustrated by Elle Hawes



As far back as first meeting as radio students at Westminster University
it was more than evident that Joe Haddow was a bit more cultured
than most of the other classmates.

Actually, a lot more.

The boundless enthusiasm for theatre, dance, and reading ever-present then,
now brought to life in a book aimed at 7-11 year olds but accessible for any
reader, along with amazing illustrations making the written word look as
if it's being said out loud.

A potential magnet for anyone who doesn't pick up a book that often,
so it had me drawn in from the outset.

Bright attention-grabbing front covers also happen to be a mainstay of this
anticipated read.

"Reach For The Stars" by Michael Cragg



AKA "The Pop Bible"*. Music journalist Michael Cragg assesses
what has now become as treasured an era for pop music
as the decades that preceded it, and possibly the last as intoned
by the sub-title "Pop's Last Great Party".

Yet the book's biggest gift is that of sending you off on many different spirals,
which in this case is all the fault of contributor Peter Robinson
the man behind the Popjustice website.

Where a brilliant blog on the state of pop in 2006 spiralled itself towards
TV shows that escaped one's radar first time round, showcasing the 
inability to jump, let alone land on the bandwagon of boyband
back-togethers as ignited by Take That around that time. 

MTV's "Totally Boyband" and the East 17 Reunion being two such hilarities.

That said, "Rock Steady" by All Saints is still a gem.

"The Dreams We Had As Children" by Ben Baker



When ITV closed it's CITV Channel in September this year, social
media was dominated by an outpouring of grief from grown-up children
in their 30s and 40s.

Many of them probably hadn't even set eyes the channel which on launching
in 2006, was living off a brand that like many declining high street stores
had seen better days.

Unlike ten years earlier, the channel doing nothing to mark 40 years
of the CITV brand, may have said more about ITV not only wanting
to ditch children's programmes, but refusing to acknowledge
they'd ever made any full stop.

Which is why it's left to enthusiasts such as Ben Baker, whose book lists
40 shows from 40 years of Children's ITV from Dangermouse to Dave Spud.

A book I loved so much, I wanted to chat with the author to delve further,
and the idiotic results (mine not Ben's) can be heard below.

RobinBlamires · CITV And Me - A Chat with author Ben Baker

Here's hoping for more enjoyable reads in '24, and hope from everyone else
that I may actually read a work of fiction.

*(C)The “Right Back At Ya” podcast

The Blamires Book Club - Melodic Reads

A few words, on lengthy rewarding reads about popular music
of differing styles and time periods.
Starting with a recent debut-album anniversary milestone. 

50 Visions Of Kate Bush - by Tom Doyle

Not a conventional biography, but possibly why this volume of anecdotes
on the ethereal, yet down to earth performer was able to suck one in
right from the opening chapter.

Opening in September 2005, the author Tom Doyle then writing
for MOJO magazine given a rare interview opportunity with Kate Bush
in her Berkshire abode, ahead of the release of her nervously-awaited "Aerials" LP, and the singer doesn't hold back, or give off any false pretences as prompted by
lesser journalists over her reclusive nature.

All worthy chapters, which despite the singer's open inability with mathematics,
matches the same number as her words for snow.

A interview transcript from "Swap Shop" is the focus of one, a few laughs raised
on Doyle referring to the "musical crimes"of Johnny Pearson's Top Of The Pops orchestra. Of whom Bush was one of many singers, forced to sing to their
play-by-ear arrangements, and indecisive time signatures.

Though Doyle is even more scathing towards the host of Swap Shop's successor
"Saturday Superstore" of which Bush was a guest on the launch show
interviewed (in a loose sense of the word) by Mike Read.

Despite not penned by Bush herself, it's hard not to come away
from the book knowing of her better and loving her even more.

Another chapter draws towards the rivalry between two of her inspirations,
David Bowie and Elton John.

Bowie somewhat incensed as to how "Rocket Man" may have 'taken influence'
from "Life On Mars", whereas Reg counters with the thought of Bowie wanting
to ape Judy Garland, "Starman" influenced by Garland's signature song
from "The Wizard Of Oz".

Though the rainbow song itself prompted a wild-goose-chase after reading
the below offering;

"Let's Do It" - The Birth Of Pop by Bob Stanley

A prequel no music fan knew they needed. Following and preceding the brilliant
"Yeah Yeah Yeah", that charted the history of modern pop, this volume gives
a concise and witty assessment of the popular song over the first half
of the 20th century.

Highlighting the off-colour origins of wartime songs such as "Bless 'Em All"
and "Do Your Ears Hang Low?", yet it was a dissection of the aforementioned
"Over The Rainbow" that lead to the realisation that the arrangement
that stuck in mind from an early age, wasn't by Garland as such,
but the Scottish session singer Jean Campbell who back in the 1960s
recorded covers of pop songs under the name Joan Baxter.

By the end of the 80s, it wasn't the singles of Stock Aitken and Waterman, that
were soundtracking home-life (save for weekly viewings of Top Of The Pops), 
but the nursery rhymes from Early Learning Centre cassette tapes.

Of which Joan Baxter rounded one of them off with a soothing-if-synthy rendition
of "Over The Rainbow" and on recently re-discovering it after over 30 years,
a reminder that maybe those early years living in London might not have
all been as heady as remembered.

But all the more special in how a book can result in audio adventures
further-stretched from how the author may have intended.

As for changing perspectives on past recollections, the final read does just that
for what may not have been a pleasant growing-up period at the time.

Freak Like Me - by Malcolm McLean



A front cover being a near-nod to the brash logo from Chris Cowey's tenure
producing Top Of The Pops, it's an invitation for anyone who grew up in the
late 90s/early 00s to reminisce, and if the recent S Club 7 reunion is to go by,
an era that's become more fondly remembered with age.

Certainly enough to forgive Jo O'Meara's behaviour in the Big Brother house...

Memoirist Malcolm McLean delivers a coming-of-age tale spanning
from when Louise left Eternal to when Hear'say packed it in, and how
getting close to pop performers made a tough growing-up period relatively less-so.

And a further insight into how fickle the world of pop was
during that heady time period.

A more-than-easy-read, helped by song titles from that era,
(and the odd song lyrics) subtly submerged into the many paragraphs
that on re-reading, immersed a few titters.

The writing and publishing processes probed further on McLean's
guest appearance on the "Creatives Of Habit" podcast.

Not to mention further wild-goose chases, via the many bands
and singers forgotten since the 90s.
Skimming through McLean's Youtube channel, is a treat in itself re-discovering
Deetah and Alda, both staples of my younger sister's cassette player.

An honest and moving insight, and quite possibly a warm up to what may be
the most anticipated book about music this year, spanning roughly the same
time period, "Reach For The Stars" by Michael Cragg.

If Bob Stanley himself has given it the good word, it may be even better
than all the above books.

2022 - Opening Up and Embracing Autism

2022.

The year I (almost) ditched my radio aspirations and remembered
how to be happy again.

More importantly, being able to enjoy radio as a listener again,
where for 18 months beforehand, it was only switched on for either Liza Tarbuck,
or “I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue”.

I should have recognised the signs years ago,

They’re even written here on earlier blog posts.

Getting psychiatric help made sense of not just the last five years,
but being able to process the last thirty five years.

As well as the realisation of no longer wanting to move back to London,
and genuinely being able to embrace my autism.

And maybe why Audio (and everything else) is looking far more positive.

Was never a genuine winner.

Attending the Audio Production Awards in November was really encouraging,
in that a life part-spent in audio could be more a friendship
than the failing relationship radio became in the last five years.

My best friend Sandie from Folded Wing helped me realise that friends
don’t have to be in each others pockets all the time.



And I wish there were more Sandies. More nicer, genuine,
caring people near to where I live.

Maybe there are more than I think...

But I haven’t burnt any bridges. That’s the worst thing anyone could do.

I may no longer have the mental energy to present my own show again,
but in terms of attending industry events and meeting other people in radio,
there's still hope and other ways of letting that passion emerge.

Not every day is easy to handle, and you can never plan how you are going
to feel in advance. Though there are other positives.

Namely goings on outside of audio, such as the Noel’s House Party at 30 website,
which this year has gone further than I ever imagined.

Though that’s all down to co-writers Jon and Brendan, and if you’re reading,  
you’ve both done me proud with your amazing interviews.

I have also produced a follow-up of sorts to my Radio 4 appearance
with family friend Concha, and delightful as it is, I'm hoping it's
a warm up to something even more special.

As come 2023 it will be 10 years since I recorded my bipolar podcast
at Folded Wing and have it in the running to produce one last audio adventure
with the amazing and delightful company founder Karen P. 

She must get it all from Sandie. No nicer person.

And no better place, than at the Wing's new home in Leigh-on-Sea.

Which happened to get a name check right at the end
of a very early Essex Radio jingle...

Wishing a happy '23 to you and thanks for reading through this garble.

Which admittedly I love writing.

Much love.

"What I've Enjoyed Viewing And Listening" - Autumn '22

The first in a series of blogs noting little things found online that have brought some sort
of short-term happiness at an otherwise uncertain time.

Starting with something both audio and visual from New Zealand.



Suzy Cato may not be a name familiar to anyone on home shores. In fact her only real exposure on British television may be via one or two appearances on "It'll Be Alright On The Night".

But in her homeland of New Zealand, she is loved by a generation of viewers
who grew up with her special way of presenting on the pre-school series "You And Me"
and the science series "Suzy's World". A way of talking to the viewer that may or may not have influenced Miss Hoolie in Balamory.

A couple of years ago, inspired by a slightly off-colour rendition of her "See You Later"
song (with nailed East London accents!) Suzy made a guest appearance on urban radio station Flava with vocal trio Sol3Mio

The sense of excitement to the point of being close-to-tears, definitely evident from the presenters.

And with Suzy’s New Years’s Eve-on-the-radio anecdote, a possible hint of where she may have crafted her interpersonal presenting style.

For further evidence of how loved she is in her homeland, Suzy's appearance on New Zealand's "Masked Singer" dressed up as a tui.

The Talent Factory: Inside The Music Machine (BBC Sounds)

A subject matter covered not for the first time on the Sounds app, as an insightful
series from BBC Radio 4 "Unreal" probed talent shows as part of its own history of British reality TV.

This series from Radio 1 however is free of the unnecessary/unfunny asides from the presenters,
with the delightful Amelia Lily introducing revealing insights and interviews evident
right from the first episode.

Stories from X Factor contestant Niki Evans, and Pop Idol series 1 finalist Zoe Birkett,
revealing how her ambitions to be a soul singer were pushed to one side when releasing
an incredibly generic debut single.

Slightly more memorable than that from Rosie Ribbons, mind...

Am already looking forward to the rest of the series, though am a bit slack at setting aside
times to listen.

VHS UK TV Junctions (July 1989)

                                

It's no secret that I am obsessed by old British television presentation, idents and ads,
stashing a number of them to watch at the hotels stayed at on beach weekends away.

Even more exciting if they come as compilations, not least the above snapshot of 
the warmer months of 1989. A fondly remembered period my end but can never work out why.

Highlights include the intro to an episode of "MacGyver" then scheduled on BBC1's
Saturday teatimes as a warm up to Mike Smith's "That's Showbusiness" quiz.
The BBC hoping it would become their "A Team" but Patti and Selma Bouvier's
love-interest had switched to ITV himself within two years.

There's also a clip of the Broom Cupboard following a repeat of a 1988 "Really Wild Show",
and no word of lie, the roaring tiger at the end was a rather frightening sight aged 4.

And spread throughout, an awful lot of Thames XXI pres from the interim period that summer celebrating Thames Television's 21st anniversary, but also "getting ready" for the new ITV
which saw Thames' long running mirror ident ditched.

Steve Wright joked at the time on his Radio 1 show about the new "ITV 'Please Don't Take Away Our Franchise' Network" and not even Thames adapting suit was enough to save it
two years later.
Not helped by Wrighty also taking the piss out of their "Interceptor" series airing
that same '89 summer.

On a sadder note, the opening to Granada's "Connections" at the end with former
CBBC presenter turned TV exec Simon Potter who died in 2020.




So that's what I've enjoyed viewing, and may post more finds if worthy of blogging.
You'd question if some of the above were ;)

Going Round In (Wheel Shaped Pasta) Circles

The last two weeks have been tough, in both a wider perspective and personal.

The latter may have been down to my last blog post reflecting on
happier times 15 years ago, the comedown of returning from a recent London outing
to the same location it happened, and between then and now a spell of depression
up to another event in London last Thursday to coincide with the Radio Festival.

And just when I thought I had recovered, wanting to get on with things, 
well, what happened, happened and have had to re-adjust.

Conscious of when to post this blog, as I wouldn’t want to upset others.

If you’re happy to carry on reading, then please do.

Five years ago I wrote another blog post, bearing similar sentiments
and nothing appears to have changed.

I have barely learnt anything from it.

Designed to help aspiring broadcasters at the grass roots gain advice from
industry professionals, "Foot in The Door" confirmed the many thoughts that I have 
fallen out of love with the medium that I may have wanted more out of, 
than what everyone else is seemingly satisfied with.

On a positive note, Karen Pearson who made those struggling times better than they
might have been, was made a fellow of the Radio Academy last Wednesday
re-confirming some of the thoughts in that earlier blog;

"So many influential people in radio, but very few Karen Ps."

At "Foot In The Door" the day after, the organisers made adjustments to
bring some of the speakers to chat in a quieter place to chat one to one.

One of the few who I got on with was a woman working on BBC Introducing
asking me what my interests outside of radio were, and I opened up about
my beach weekends away in Devon, Cromer and other places.    

How I adored fish and chips near the shores, but hated mushy peas or other such unnecessary condiments. That's when I started laughing, and I thought I was unable to
beforehand.

It's not an area I open up often, but if I find myself getting on with another person well
it helps me to "show them the real Robin" as another radio student at university once put it.

(Only that other people thought that the real me was one that had to be sectioned...)

Hitting me very quickly that it was the social aspect and empathy that I found more enjoyable
than making radio itself, and has been a big absence since leaving university,
save for the work I did with Folded Wing.

But with them it became very clear that I had more affection for the company founder,
than the output they produced.

Which I have been told isn't a problem, more commendable for opening up about it
and it did spur me on to produce better audio elsewhere while still with them.

But also why I haven't been making audio full stop in the last four or so years, 
and doubtful I'll want to start again. Twelve years since graduating is long enough
to work out it's just been a long parade of circles, and ongoing upsets from unrealistic expectations.

Despite not finding any real solutions, I left the London event in a better state than arrived,
listening to a recently uploaded recording from Chiltern Radio in 1989,
the night of the Bruno Vs Tyson fight nonetheless.

Enjoyable enough to forget that it was pissing down with rain whilst walking
down Euston Road. Not to mention the days where you could get away
with two Fleetwood Mac tracks within one hour.

(The irony that "Dreams" would be the last song played on Radio 2 that evening
before switching to rolling news)

But whilst an enjoyable time period nostalgically, to wish radio would go back
to sounding like that all the time is unrealistic, especially with the number
of community radio stations trying to replicate that sound very poorly.

An approach not that different to Channel 4's recent rehash of The Big Breakfast.

The world has changed, I have got older, and now struggle to cope not just with noise but being within big crowds full stop.

Whether at the Margate Soul Festival, or a networking break at the Radio Festival,
they're just big triggers of uncertainty and further anxiety.

I don't know what's going to happen in the coming months, but maybe it's better that way.

The empathy and just being-there-for-the-listener approach heard on the radio over this weekend has been superb, making it more welcoming than ever.

Katie Thistleton on Radio 1 in particular mentioning that there’s no shame
admitting you have your own problems to deal with at such a time (14.11).

Or no shame in managing such things in the way you want to.

My first night back at home spent enjoying the other special meal save for the seaside delicacy,
ruote pasta in red wine-drenched mince.

Circles that usher in a happier sensation just in that moment.
Which maybe what is better savouring, than chasing unrealistic ambitions.

University Radio Reminiscing - "Smoke's Out 4 Summer" (May 2007)

This is it then. The final part of my recollections of university radio,
and the happiest during those four years, spanning from the 14th to the 18th of May 2007.

A bittersweet occasion as a number of members I'd known since joining the
station were bidding farewell, and had been very supportive to not just me,
but also the first year radio lot who this week would be tested to the limit.

Joining Ali O'Boyle on her final Smoke Signal would be first year Phil Landers (2.58)
hitting it off brilliantly, partly down to their shared love of football, if not football teams.

I'm amazed Ali resisted the temptation to further humiliate Landers
over Leeds United's misfortunes that season. Though having had an accident
with hair dye and turning brunette for the week, I'm guessing she trod carefully.

Ali was a key asset to the team, keeping everyone in order, whilst joking about with them
at the same time.
It became all the more noticeable after her departure.

Only for the first time, Signal wasn't given pole position in the schedule,
with Phil Harris and Chris Chilvers kicking things off with "The Wake Up Call"
from 10am until midday.

A new almost-breakfast show that was filled with ideas, but struggled to
execute them as well as they sounded on paper.

Those that did work proved hilarious such as the phone call to Phil's ex,
and the "Cash For Cash" fail at 43.28 which may have been 2007's
equivalent of Stewart Paske's "BOING!" from the following year.

Pratting about with sound effects just to wind up undeserving people...

The item also playing host to the sole appearance from Steven McIntosh
at 00.27 , due to his absence the whole week.

With Smoke playing out on the Harrow Campus Street via the television monitors
it may have been the one thing that made this and other events of a similar scale
feel more special than during term time.

Both the Wake Up Call and Signal were supplemented by outside broadcasts
on the Street, with Kelly Gravells and the amazing Sirin Hassan (3.33).

Sirin (on the left) had the air of then CBBC presenter Gemma Hunt,
or even further back Mounya and Yiolanda from Nickelodeon. 
(Both sharing the infamy of getting ditched from their respective channels
to be replaced by Ed Petrie...)

Bringing to the party an infectious enthusiasm, and above all the nicest person
involved in Smoke Radio.
A much needed balance over Ali's tongue in cheek presenting style.



And also fulfilling the accidental aim of recreating a rose-tinted television
past, hence the vintage CBBC/BFT themes  popping up at various points
in the above montage.

Pete and Stoobie return at 5.00, with the daily Request Show,  a nice stopgap
in the schedule after the busy goings on of the previous two shows.
The duo christening their's as "the laziest show on Smoke Radio".



Though the in-jokey jingles at 15.16, may be an early instance
of the station "turning into chocolate" the following year.

Between 3 and 5 was a last minute oddity, a solo outing for a future TV comedy producer, as a result of main host Dan P being caught up with other commitments that week.

Co presenter Chris was gutted, but a solution arose in  "Chris Jones Meets..." getting a different host to present with him every day that week, of which I was the first (5.39).

I did what I could in a relatively short space of time to give Chris a show
that sounded exciting and matched his showbiz stylings.

Not least the brassy opener, which bore a melodic resemblance
to the swing standard "The Moment Of Truth", as performed here on
the Benny Hill Show by occasional nursery rhyme chanteuse Lee Gibson.

Photo by Edward Burke

Following my stint during the week would be the Tudor (as shown above), Ross Tilley, and two appearances from Joe Haddow, including the final live show of the 06-07 year.

To call it poignant would put it mildly.

And back in their rightful 5-7pm slot Goodlass and Marshall, who may have
been at their height this week, and re-energised having not done a show since
the Red Nose Broadcast.

Bringing with them, a number of ambitious yet hilarious new features
including Miles Bladen-Ryall at 8.24 supposedly reporting from Los Angeles of whom the duo
gave a big build over the theme used to promote Thames Television's 21st anniversary 
in 1989.

Hearing that played on out on the Harrow Campus Street felt rather special,
as if nostalgic recollections of living in London during that same time had
finally come full circle.

Yet Miles was somewhat able to jet off very speedily from LA to join in the shenanigans
at Smoke's Undercroft beach party that Monday, as seen below alongside Goodlass.



Also at 18.32, a new twist on Nanagram, with Nana Glover taking on listeners over
the phone answering quick fire questions in 90 seconds.

Though once you got wise to Nana being given easier questions
than her challenger, nothing would be as funny as Joe John's
outrage to the injustice of it all.

Made moreso the following year where instead of phone callers, the boys
would just grab whoever was still hanging around in the radio studios
to take on Nana Glover.

This week saw a lot of delegating to help the editors decide who would take
on their positions the following year with Chris, both the Phils and Pete taking turns 
as daily editor between Monday and Thursday overseeing the daytime shows
and collecting highlights for the podcasts.

Stoobie was manning the website for the week, and there was quite a battle
for the much prized Editor Of Programming role, which didn't go the way many 
expected.

At 35.15 one of the milestones of the week and maybe the year as a whole
which didn't get the recognition deserved.

Sport On Smoke rounding off the 06-07 season by jetting off to Rimini
for that year's Varsity tournament, of which StevieMate arranged 
the reunion party at the Undercroft on the evening it went out.

Unable to stream live to the bar, we tried playing it on the DJ decks
but the teams were too immersed in their drinking to properly listen.

Not that I was helping, also sipping from a giant cocktail jug
resembling a water playtable from nursery school. 

Another 1989 memory gone full circle.

This week also turned out to be the final on air appearances for newsreaders
Nina and Ina, finding the challenges of the third year too much for
a return in 07/08. 

Ina heard at 44.52 with the final news item of the year, the BBC losing Neighbours
to Channel 5, almost a whole year since the axing of Byker Grove.

Unable to present during the day, Sam Impey was given the job of evening editor
for live shows after 7, including Sarah and Memo's final outing at 10.26,
and Shuffle with their "Sunnyside Up" special (40.26).

Sam's presence that week made the radio rooms feel different after hours
(or daytime hours at least) very proactive within a relaxed environment,
making sure all shows read out live reads for competitions and trails.

A delight to have around.

With my show stretched to two hours, it seemed only right to get Sami back on air
co-presenting "Sun Sea And Soul" (30.07), which felt like the most intimate and enjoyable
show I had presented.

A sense that the whole academic year had built up to it, and you could hear it in my voice.
Genuinely thinking it could go further in the third year, and may have triggered
something deeper...



We did present my final show on the station together two years later, but that was a mess,
where my over-planning got in the way of just getting on with it.

As things were more laid back and relaxed at the end of a long busy Wednesday
in May 2007, it pushed all negativity to one side.

Which in the long run wasn't realistic. We were both very different people.

But at the time I was in a utopian daze. (which appears to have been a
recurring instance in the few other radio successes my end since...)

All the more excited when finding out at the awards that both Sam and Phil Landers
would become joint heads of programming in what I thought was to be my final year.

It later turned out that Landers was even nicer and supportive, as despite 07-08
being a tough year, Phil was one of the very few who explained down the line
why certain things happened and decisions were made.

Even admitting some of them didn't work out as intended.

And to be perfectly honest, everyone involved, even those who may have
been difficult at the time, wouldn't be like that now, and having read these blogs,
they'd be able to offer a more rounded perspective on things than I have.

Back in mid 2007 it was a different story.

SO4S and events leading up to it, caused an unrealistic and at the time never ending high,
where it would normally be expected for a massive comedown to follow, but not this year.
(Not immediately anyway)

A fortnight filled with Harrow house parties, culminating in a "Drink The Bar Dry" night
at the Undercroft on the last Friday before Harrow Halls shut down for the summer.

But even that wasn't enough. After the 3am closing time, everyone
was bound for the grass outside halls building a bonfire
which ended up as a magnet for the police and firefighters.

Photo by Emma Woodhams

The last day in halls that year, felt as if it was my last day at university,
unaware that it was only the halfway line.

But for the sake of these blog posts, a much happier ending, audio wise, rounded
off at 47.57 with a fond farewell from Chris Jones the one and only Joe Haddow.

They were Smoke Radio, and it really was going to be a different place without those two
and their fellow third years.

And with that in mind, a final appearance for the very talented Dan P at 45.40, who later that evening ended up winning Best Male at the Smoke Radio Awards much to his surprise and doubts beforehand.

If I was to fulfill the dream of returning home to North West London
I know it won't be the same as it was 15 years ago.
I knew then that things wouldn't all be as rosy as I had remembered them
from back in 1989.

But the one thing that's stayed the same every time on visiting London;
I have always felt happier.

University Radio Reminiscing - March-April 2007

Entering the latter half of the Spring '07 semester, an enjoyable time albeit with a few obstacles that may have planted seeds for the downers to emerge in my third year.

But before then, a lot of really good radio emerged from the Harrow Campus.



Kicking off with the dynamic duo themselves, Goodlass and Marshall,
ever energetic, and the awe of many first year radio students.

Including Sam and Phil (1.28), back to two hours, and relaunching their show
"Impey And The Brain", despite the opener clearly singing "Pinky".
They did at least share an equal chance of being able to take over the world...

Whilst more confident than before, bits of the show still felt a little off,
namely "Beat The Brain", that half-inched hook line and sinker from the
"Monday Night Pub Quiz" on The Chris Moyles Show (even using the same music)
and "The News At Now" a comedy sketch that was... just a sketch.

In spite of the rough edges, the duo were given the prestige of launching Smoke Radio's
"Big Red One", (9.46) a continuous broadcast from midday Friday to midday Saturday
coinciding with Comic Relief, though we weren't allowed to directly raise money,
due to SU regulations.

There’s not many photos from the event, save for this one when Danny Dyer 
made a visit to M Block…

It was also the day of the SU election results of which the live reports
from Central London got the good word from listeners, all down to
the concise updates from Steven McIntosh.

Even if the results themselves weren't in everyone's favour,
certainly not on the Harrow Campus.

Steven also heard at 12.55, alongside Melina on a show that should have gone further.



Giving a great reflection of London's nightlife including a more than honest
assessment on Joss Stone's shambolic gig at Koko.

Wishing I still had the audio of that review, had I not lent the DVD with the Red Nose Broadcast shows themselves to another member at the station who never gave it back...

(Though an equally blunt review of a Placebo gig from Ross Powell
pops up at 37.16)

By now the station was getting further publicity in the Smoke Newspaper
with a different show in the spotlight each issue.
When mine was featured, many Monday night punters at the Undercroft 
were surprised that the idiot dancing rather manically, actually presented a show.

But without it, I probably wouldn't have been up to any idiotic antics full stop
with the realisation that it was all worthwhile.

A number of posters promoting shows around the same time were plastered round
our Undercroft bar, as seen behind Goodlass and Marshall.


Photos by Edward Burke

Heard at 17.35 rounding off the marathon with many a rude phone awakening
to their mates. almost identical to Gladys Pugh on Radio Maplin.

The all-nighter should have boosted morale, adding anticipation up to
the summer broadcast in May, as had been the case the year before with Smoke Aid.
Only on the Monday after the broadcast we all got sent an e-mail from the editor
of programming, and it wasn't good news.

Due to conflicts with other courses wanting to use the bigger studios in the evenings,
we now had to present all live shows after 7 from the smaller, and not-as-technically
-advanced Studio 4 as used for daytime.

And none more unfortunate a victim than Tudor Rock (22.17), where every link
that Tuesday night turned into a rant, on what may be my favourite Smoke Radio moment.

Josie preceding at 20.11, having been forced into self-opping earlier in the year
refused point blank to present from the smaller studio
opting for studio 5 via the matrix fader.

A valid point at 33.55, regarding the potential circumstances.

In the same way as the snippets of Pippa ST a few blogs back,
it's none more genuine an insight on the stresses of student life,
proving Josie and Tudor definitely weren't putting on an act that evening.

Even if in Tudor's case, it was more than just hilarious.

At 26.09, "The Alternative" hosted by MA journalism student Sarah and her friend Memo,
filling the slot formerly occupied by Pippa's Evening Session, left vacant since Christmas.

A short, but entertaining stint, it's truncated run made moreso by the 6 week break
for Easter to be touched on later in the blog.

Popping up at 31.30, Sephora with another Jazz Etc and some interesting asides
on Amy Winehouse after playing the best song from her "Back To Black" LP.
Being in the audience for that very episode of Buzzcocks made it even more
hilarious my end.

(Though slightly jealous when a TV student revealed he'd been in the
audience for the Donny Tourette episode)

At 28.26 another Shuffle, themed around Flowers, minus Adam but with Harjeet
a CMP alumni who often stood in alongside regular host Zo.
It was always fun when Harj presented, returning later in the semester
to co-host a show themed entirely around video game soundtracks.

Providing similar quirkiness at various points, third year film students Ben and Jason
with their "Really Really Late, Or Really Really Early (Depending On Your Point Of View)
Breakfast Show".

Jason having previously co-hosted the Request Show with Pete up to Christmas
found a better-suited home for his offbeat humour and the pair may have been
the funniest of the newer shows to have aired on the station this year.

Whilst Tudor was losing the will to live, let alone present from Studio 4,
Ben and Jason were recording their show in studio 5 after Josie, and they had
the guts to fade up the film students in 6 who were ultimately the cause of Tudor's rage.

I soldiered on in Studio 6 the night after, following Smoke International,
and goodness knows how they'd have managed in the "Insanity Cupboard".
The uncertain feeling within the station summed up by them
playing out with Aimee Mann's version of Harry Nillson's "One".

Heightened by the infamous strapline, as mentioned in an earlier blog post.

Ina as heard at 30.13, ended up recording her Friday night 80s show, though she
had found a more permanent co-presenter, with Aussie Dave who joined

the second year radio lot for a few modules whilst on the exchange. 

As the end of term drew nearer, the fuss over studio access died down
(for the time being) leaving us to focus on planning up to mid May and the
final week of shows as branded "Smoke's Out 4 Summer".

But not before a few goodbyes, including the long-running Smoke International
(35.01) marking it's farewell with a specially made chronology of the show.

Photo by Fabian Alber

They were amazing. No harder working show on the station.

Also bidding adieu were Impey and The Brain, though their long pause
(until January 2008!) was down partly to them both attending that year's SRA Conference
before Easter, and Impey having to cough up ahead of a month long summer
Stateside stretch, meaning she wouldn't be around for S04S.

Leaving my show as the last that went out live for the Spring semester,
due to the campus shutting down on the the Thursday evening before Good Friday.
Winding down with a "Slow Soul Special", all the more needed following
the enjoyable chaos of Smoke International's swan song.

Carl from the Gospel Show (34.16) listening in RP1 that evening was rather happy
that I played out with "People Get Ready" by The Impressions.
A reflective but anticipatory tune with SO4S looming.

Last up, a final word from Ross and Paul at the Live Variety Show.

If Seb and Jon's on air patter resembled the dry wit of Lennon and McCartney,
Paul Calvert was definitely Smoke Radio's Chris Kamara.
(even if it's Ross cocking it up at 7.11)

A six week break over Easter until mid May was met with a mixed response,
but having done so the year before, entirely necessary to recharge batteries
so when we did return, it would be with more energy than had been present
throughout the whole year.

And possibly why the last two end-of-year broadcasts weren't as good,
with the regular schedule carrying on after Easter in the weeks leading up.

You'll hear the ever-increasing highs (in my case at least) in the final part of my
more-than-overblown recollections of university radio.

To keep you going until then, a very big playlist of the many tunes brought to my
attention from the specialist shows on Smoke Radio during those four years.

University Radio Reminiscing - January-February 2007

The most interesting, if not rewarding part of listening back, is viewing things
differently 15 years onwards and the realisation of it not being as rosy.

Notably the mood on-air during the first week back to lectures after Refreshers
feeling a lot more low, certainly on the daytime shows.

Things soon progressed, and below are the highlights of early Spring '07
where at the time, things almost returned to normal after the Refreshers chaos.

"Almost" being the operative word, the soul show now back on Wednesdays
swapping with Shuffle and following Smoke International, who after their festive frolics
ended up relaunching again in early '07, with a cringey opening jingle at 4.21.

Fair dos to the team for soldiering on despite all being in their final year,
yet it felt more detached than last semester, ditching all the older items
and bringing in newer ones such as "Very British" and Natasha's "Doctor Sheila".

Lucy remained to keep everyone motivated, and it was her influence later on in the semester,
getting fellow students from her International Journalism course to play out work
they had done on their assignments.

Whilst a nice idea, it brought the energy on the show down,
what with the speech-heavy pieces lasting up to 15 minutes.

Meaning my show would often start five minutes late, but I just followed suit.

The Request Show soldiers on with Pete and Stoobie at 7.55.
The banter between Pete, the slick presenter and Stewart, the comedy foil,
possibly more enjoyable than when Pete joined forces with Chris in the second year.

Chris back in the first year was still paired with Phil Landers, heard at 23:07 with
guests Emma and Sarah (AKA "Pictonator and Smith"),  summing up 
an ill-thought Monday night DJ set at the Undercroft (one of those not
hosted by Smoke Radio.)

In my drunk state that night, I was most likely making w****r gestures at the two fellas
clearing the dancefloor with their death metal tunes, who when it came to mixing,
couldn't mix a pack of cards.

Laughing hard when one song came to a sudden end followed by silence,
if you don't include the en-masse booing from the Underpants punters.

But don't let the photo below suggest I was any better.


Pboto by Edward Burke

I was just the warm up act...

Smokin' Records returns at 11.44, and it was great hearing them and Shuffle
back to back again on Thursday evenings.
Seb and Jon possibly the Zane Lowe to Adam and Zo's John Peel.

Though having previously described Seb and Jon and Smoke Radio's
"Lennon and McCartney", Adam from Shuffle really did bear a visual
resemblance to the bespectacled Beatle.

When it came to presenting, Shuffle itself took greater influence
from Radio 3's "Late Junction" and "Mixing It".

The latter unceremoniously axed after 17 years by the station's new controller,
which Adam certainly wasn't happy about, even writing a letter
as published on his Myspace blog.

The letter also questioned what the BBC would have of cultural worth to look back on
in 30 years time , taking note of the ongoing reliance of old Peel sessions
on 6 Music, and Whistle Test performances on BBC Four.

Reminding me of a chat with a family relative at Christmas while watching the Swap Shop
30 year special, and the similar declining state of Saturday morning shows
made more noticeable by Dick & Dom's departure.

It will be a sad day when 6 Music resorts to regurgitating old Live Lounge sessions,
though the way the station's going, that may already be the case.

But digressing again.

A special Shuffle at 12.18, with "guest hosts" Trinny and Suzannah introducing
songs themed around clothing garments.

Including another outing for Good Shoes,  a favourite of fellow radio student
Caroline who presented a rather cool indie show the following year.
There was no doubt Adam made a lot of new friends from the radio course
over shared music taste.

I loved chatting with the boys in great detail about music, broadening my taste further than a specialist show on Radio 2 or 6 Music could even dream of. But then again I wouldn't be sat in the same studio as Cerys Matthews or Bob Harris, regardless of how desperately hard they attempt to give that illusion on air. Let alone a large number of shows aimed at a wider audience, forgetting there were listeners full stop with their "zoo formats", making it harder to embrace the likes of Scott Mills, who a fair few presenters on Smoke seemed to idolize to the point of on-air plagiarism.

Leading on to the newer daytime shows that had been airing since late autumn,
and by mid spring, still sounding as if they were presenting their first shows.

Those up above, worried about the lack of progression called a meeting
with the first years to discuss ideas on taking the shows "to the next level" as such.

Resulting in Sam and Phil's "Dinner Party" shortened to just one hour on Tuesdays,
missing a trick in not renaming it "The Late-Afternoon-Tea Party" (14.23).

In fairness to them, they did up the ante, trying out new items such as their own
"Blind Date" for Valentines Day with Sam having to choose between a "Mate Or Date".

All ahead of a relaunch in early March as "Impey And The Brain",
which you'll hear in the blog covering the second half of the Spring '07 semester.

A warm-up of sorts for Goodlass and Marshall's Valentine's special on the day itself
(17.21), with Ina, and bar manager Chris subjected to the many double
(and single) entendres.

The latter desperately plugging the Thursday night events at Area 51
and not helped by the delayed opening this year, many of them were embarrassing flops
with up to 5 people showing up.

You knew an Area night was on its arse when on a Thursday evening, you'd receive
a Facebook invite just hours before opening time.

The mood and energy on campus would start winding down on Thursdays, 
as many students went home at the weekend, or if they had no lectures
on the Friday they'd bid adieu sooner.

Specialist shows on Smoke this semester were still on form.
including newer offerings such as "Jazz Etc" at 7.03 with first year science student
Sephora.
Later mentioning that the show came about on finding that the university
didn't have a jazz band or society as such.

It's offbeat and light-hearted manner complemented our other jazz show
with Joe Haddow (19.36) in his case, often straying outside jazz to give light to
similar sounds such as the innovative and somewhat amusing "Radiodread" album
which Seb and Jon were also pretty keen on.

Popping up at 26.39, the Sunday lunchtime "Crossway" show with James Poulter
and "Producer Dave" Baker, a first year film student and oft-seen punter at the
Undercroft every Monday.

James' goal was getting Cliff Richard as a guest, about as achievable
as getting Maurice White from Earth Wind and Fire to appear on my show.

At 25.01 The 80s Team now with just Ina after co-presenter Cat dropped out
of the radio course to teach English to foreign students at the Open University.

Every Friday evening Ina invited a guest to co-present the show,in this instance Helen
who provided support for a blind student on the radio course.

I didn't tend to show up in the radio rooms on Friday nights, partly because
I was knackered from two days of practical lectures, but also, for reasons
mentioned earlier, the atmosphere on campus was completely dead.

Something I forgot about on plotting the idea to move my soul show 
to Fridays the following year.

To prevent my mental health reaching a worse state, the next blog post
will fast forward almost two years to late 2008, a period of big change
for the station, but still with amusing moments to boot.

We'll pick up again in Spring 2007 later in the year,
leading up to what were more than heady times.

In the meantime, here's the Spring '07 playlist.

University Radio Reminiscing - Refreshers Week (January 2007)

If there was ever a low point of the university calendar, then it would be
the post-Christmas comedown preceding the Spring semester.
Which not even Smoke Radio could liven up with their attempt to recreate
the headiness of Freshers Week over an otherwise melancholy period.

For one thing it took place the week before the proper Refreshers week in mid January
when lectures resumed, and a large number of students wouldn't be returning until then.

Making it harder to generate the enthusiasm expected, not helped by 
essay deadlines getting in the way, resulting in many schedule changes
and last minute absences.

Knowing in hindsight that better was to come this academic year (even if much later than hoped) it's worth revisiting the goings on from the 8th to the 12th of January 2007.



Smoke Signal returns with StevieMate paired with sports show presenting partner
Ali O'Boyle who surprisingly had never co-hosted Signal before, despite a long-runner
at the station.

As heard at 1.30 revealing her thoughts on Celebrity Big Brother '07 escapee
Donny Tourette, putting the timing into perspective on remembering it was
the week after Refreshers when the racism broke out.

Following Signal in the 2-3 slot was an hour of requests with Pete returning
alongside new co-host Stewart Paske (2.30) finally getting a regular role on air
and shown below, in his stunning sound-reactive t-shirt.


Photo by Edward Burke

They held the fort on the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, whilst the other two 
days were in my not-so-capable hands (14.20). 

The idiocy I got up to with the first years can be seen in the video podcasts, as well
as the depositing of many unsold Smoke Radio calendars to the residents of Harrow Halls.

The vodcasts themselves made the week look more fun than it really was
because morale was at a low.
The building felt a lot more down compared to Freshers Week and the May summer broadcast,
not helped by the bigger studios double booked by the Post Graduate Journalism course.

3.14 Goodlass And Marshall, in an oddly placed earlier time slot from 3-5 filling the space
left by Dan P and Chris Jones who had other commitments that week.

Whilst it was sad not to have the two old-hands on air, they showed up at the Undercroft
on Monday, pleased that the newer members were given a chance to find their feet.

The result being "Work In Progress" (5.57), designed to give familiar faces from the uni's
welfare outlets an hour presenting on the radio for the first time.

Taking to the air were SU shop assistants Pippa and Hannah, a welcome return
for Westminster press officer Rob Watson, and perhaps most controversial of all
Undercroft bar staff Chris and Jim saying things that were too obscene
to feature in the above audio.

It involved people of a particular height...

A well-intended experiment, it all went to pot on the Thursday when the SU Activity
Officers pulled out at the last minute, meaning a hastily assembled compilation
played out with time checks all over the place.

The 6-7 slot this week, was shared by two of the newer shows, them being Chris and Phil (Landers) at 15.27, and Sam and Phil (Harris)'s "The Dinner Party" (8.47).
Sam at the time bore a near resemblance to the then Lucy Beale
in Eastenders.

Chris and Phil (Harris) had also been given shared roles as heads of music
which lead to a tighter rotation, but gave more consistency to the station sound.
On hearing the Spotify playlist below, they were pretty much on it.

By this point of the year, the editor of programming wanted to segment
daytime and specialist shows, by giving the latter it's own on-air identity.

Hence the arrival of "Smoke Specialist" of which I produced a set of IDs 
with third year radio student Hannah Shogbola who had an amazing voice (16.35).

At the risk of sounding like a right cocky bastard, it may have been the imaging
I was most proud of at the station.
Getting the presenters to implement it on air, was the tricky part.

Heard at 10.13, via an awkward handover from Sam and Phil's "Dinner Party",
sandwiched by Ross Tilley's news update with the now infamous accidental out-line,
that could have easily been mistaken as a statement.

The other Ross, nay Powell attempting to lift it back up after a few false starts,
with an extended Live Variety Show filling the space left by Pippa's Evening Session,
joined by James Poulter who may have been the most proactive that week.

Powell pictured below, who if we're carrying on the Eastenders references,
may have resembled a slightly slimmer Bradley Branning.



Regarding the snippets of Radio 1 Live Lounge sessions, I can remember regular
co-host Paul Calvert not being impressed on hearing the Kooks' less than inventive
cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy".

But save for the Arctic Monkeys cover of Girls Aloud, every Live Lounge
performance is indistinguishable from another.

16.59 Tudor, with the overall highlight of Refresher's 07, his reaction to something
I suddenly came up with on the spur of the moment, taking an old Tommy Vance
jingle from his Radio 1 rock show and re-jigging it for the Tudor Gent.

As Tudor was a TV student, it all made sense.

And at 18.08, The Pits returns for the New Year, with Martin joined by film student Joe John
who added a bit of class to the show with his superb song choices, such as Seu Jorge.

Also heard in his DJ sets at Smoke Radio's Undercroft nights, where one of
the recurring tunes was Mark Ronson's cover "Just" from a 2006 compilation
of Radiohead covers.

A whole year before it was released as a single.

In their nature, many specialist shows were less intense than daytime
and didn't really need their shows disrupted by heavily-produced jingles or identification.

Certainly not Shuffle, returning at 21.06 with what may be the best opening to their show.

But whilst it worked in terms of on-air branding, fragmenting daytime
and specialist shows in the long run made the station feel less of a team.

An enjoyable place to be part of had gradually turned into a ghost town
over the previous autumn, and as a result, it wasn't as fun as it had been.

One member tried to defend the idea, telling me it wasn't like Chris Moyles on Radio 1
would big up Eddie Halliwell or Fabio and Grooverider on his show.
And there befell my oft-repeated blunt response that fell on many deaf ears;

"We're not Radio 1".

Certainly not with many of the newer daytime shows lacking the energy
that was expected, possibly because they were afraid of upsetting the apple cart.
Or more realistically, hosting a radio show wasn't as fun to them, as drunken nights out
or cliquey in-jokes.

Many of those asides smuggling their way on air.

The week didn't even feel special enough to do a longer version of my soul show
when offered, after Smokin' Records failed to show up yet again.

Partly because I'd hosted the request show that afternoon
and didn't want to outstay my on air welcome, meaning one of Ina and Alec's
movie shows filled the 7pm slot before my arrival (27.10).

It had reached the point where I wasn't enjoying the Thursday timeslot
wanting to be back on Wednesdays.

Which was lucky timing, as Adam from Shuffle would be teaching
on Wednesday evenings later in the semester so Ricky left it in our hands
to sort out a schedule swap the following week.

That in turn lead to celebratory drinks with the expected consequences, though it
made up for missing Bar FTSE during Refreshers due to a dental appointment.

Still feeling the side-effects of said tooth removal, and overall frustrations
with the week overall, I was close to not coming in at all on the Friday.
Though on doing so it turned out to be the most enjoyable day and the only one
where all the shows scheduled after 7pm that evening actually showed up.

As well as James Poulter appearing on every show that Friday
either reading the news, or at 33.56 guest hosting Ina's "The 80s Team".

An 80s show that also played the odd song from the late 70s and early 90s,
so possibly an influence for Fearne Cotton's 90s show on Radio 2.

Following on from Ina was Ms Deckstress, a commercial music student
who hosted an amazing trance show, later going on to be a successful
composer (34.32).

The weekend saw no end to proceedings as Saturday saw the inaugural outing
at 35.10 for The Smoke Radio Chart Show.

Not the most original idea, in fact it was initially planned to run in the even more
original time slot of 4-7pm on a Sunday, with it being pre-recorded on Saturday.
Until the senior radio lecturer pointed out it would make more sense
just to do it live on the Saturday.

With the benefit of hindsight, as to why this week didn't live up to expectations
was down to rushing into it. Only informing members so soon after Christmas,
and trying to convey a lively atmosphere on campus in the middle of winter.

To say it was the lowest period at university would be easy enough,
had we not done so again in January 2008 where it was even worse.

My first week back after spending the Autumn in Canterbury recovering
from the side effects of the manic episode which I probably hadn't done fully.

Trying to fit into a environment where almost everyone at the station felt as if they
were part of the furniture, made worse by a mugging on the way home from "St Trinian's"
at the Vue in Harrow.

Not wanting to relive such a period, it's doubtful I'll be blogging Refreshers 2008,
but also because my DVD-R with all the shows from then is unreadable.
Meaning Chris And Pete's "Prank A Presenter" and Tudor's rendition of
Tay Zonday's "Chocolate Rain" will have now permanently vanished into the audio ether.

The shows from Spring '07 on the other hand still survive, and you'll be treated
to a fair few snippets later in the year.

And here's the playlist for very early '07...