Jim Pinckney AKA STINKY JIM heard 95bFM when he first visited New Zealand in 1988, and upon his permanent return in 1990 began his long association with the station, helming such legendary radio shows as Tranquility Bass and Stinky Grooves. He has also been a member of acts like Unitone HiFi, Soundproof, and more; and Jim is the man behind the Round Trip Mars label, releasing SJD, Phelps and Munro, James Duncan, The Naked and Famous, and the lauded Sideways compilations. (Episode 13 Part 1-2 of 2)
At the age of 8, Rick built a fully-operational radio station that broadcasted from his treehouse to his family house. For the last 25 years, Rick has been in charge of every technical and sonic aspect of 95bFM, ensuring the quality of the sound which comes out of your speakers, sometimes even defying death by hanging upside-down from the 14th floor of city buildings holding a transmitter. He is also Rick Breeze, and did indeed build a scientific weather centre on the roof of his house. (Episode, 14 Part 1-2 of 2)
Simon Grigg was involved in Radio b from 1975 until 2002. During that time, he started NZ's first punk group the Suburban Reptiles, launched Propeller Records, was instrumental in this nation's club and DJ culture, took How Bizarre to the world - and even turned down opportunities to license both Factory Records and Stock Aitken & Waterman. He hosted the long-running BPM show, introducing hip-hop, house and techno to the b airwaves. Finally, he reveals the truth: between 1977 and 1980, b was so conservative that NO punk or post-punk was on the airwaves. (Episode 21 Simon Grigg Parts 1-2 of 2)
When you think of an archetypal bFM DJ in the late 80s and early 90s, you think of a character very much like Owen 'The Jackal' Harris; a dedicated musical omnivore who would go hungry rather than pass up on buying records. Buying LOTS of records. Owen also was partly responsible for the world's first-ever documentary series on Split Enz, as well as frequently hosting The "surprise" and "special" parts of 95bFM programming, focusing on one artist, label, or era. He has been a resident of the USA this century, where he works for the space program (we think). (Episode 23 Parts 1-2 of 2)
Host of the RnR Wire for more than 11 years longer than he expected to be and still there every Friday 12 - 2, Troy kind of lives in his own world where every piece of new music has the potential to deliver thrills and make life worthwhile. Often, people disagree. Like the "upper middle class clique" at 95bFM in the 90s who were like "the colonial aristocracy cricket team not allowing the natives and the women to join in". (Episode 29 Parts 1-2 of 2)
From his first show on bFM -- a one-off Wednesday night "chill out" mix he called "b By Candlelight" -- Mike Havoc has brought a unique sensibility to the airwaves. Engaging and polarising, his sharp opinionated wit and overflowing enthusiasm for his favourite high-adrenalin joyous music has sustained him through the highs and lows of the last 16 years. Yes, when Helen Clark became PM the second question she was asked was whether she would continue her Monday on-air discussions with Mike. (Episode 30 Parts 1-3 of 3)
Andrew Black 1984 to 2007 "No vacuum cleaners!". "I've been here for 15 years". "I have been known to tell callers to burn in hell". There's many quotes from Andrew Black, Wanker; but he once stated that a quotation from elsewhere summed him up best:: "I am ill, I am angry and I'm as ugly as sin..." No, not Dostoyevsky's Notes From Underground, but Magazine's Song From Under The Floorboards, a song he surprisingly overlooked in this episode. Plenty of growling, grumping and griping though. (Episode 31 Parts 1-3 of 3)
DJ Sir Vere 1991 to 97; 2002 Phil Bell found his way to b via punk rock, and from there to a lifelong record buying addiction. After producing a New Order fanzine in the early 1980s and learning the art of live DJing from his Dad, he became a renowned club DJ in the late 80s. Then, along with DLT, Slave & Base, he founded the "world famous" Trueschool Hip Hop Show, and branched out into careers in television and print media. "I don't want this episode to be all about punching people in the face, but..." (Episode 33, Parts 1-3 of 3)
Roy The Lawyer had "a voice like gravel" to "save you from the gavel". Campbell Smith does not. In this episode, he reveals why; and discusses how 95bFM was his entry into the music biz where he now heads RIANZ, brings the Big Day Out to Auckland, and has offices that nobody breaks the toilet or hits anybody with ironing boards. (Episode 22 Parts 1-2 of 2)
In this episode, Dubhead turns the mic on himself & relates tales of his 24 year involvement in 95bFM - 19 of those as the host of The Rhythm Selection. From rocksteady to roots reggae, experimental avant-garde to singing a commercial for car stereos, Dubhead asks himself the hard questions and explains why the magic of radio has never ceased to amaze him. (Episode 24 Parts 1-2 of 2)
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