Local & National Radio

[Jay]

It would seem that another sleepless night has given me cause to stand on a soap box again...

During the brief seconds required to change CD's in the car, I had the misfortune of catching some tripe of a track on GWR (I might add that I've recently bought my car & have yet to retune the radio).

I don't know about anyone else on here, but I can't bear local commerical radio such as GWR, Star FM etc nor do I like stations like Radio 1 during peak times. Most of these stations seem to have a policy of 'We play it until you like it'. They seem to force feed their listeners the same old middle of the road music with little variation.

In my opinion, the best bands/artists are those that are burried under the feet of such stations and corporations & I make a good effort to dig around in the depths of the net to find new bands. Websites like pandora.com have always been really useful to help with this. It just bugs me that so many people/stations are afraid to risk their listening figures in order to promote an unknown that shows potential.

One of the reasons I like going to see small club live bands is because of the support acts. I can't count the number of times I've seen warm-up acts that have totally blown me away. However, this is an expensive (yet enjoyable) way of trying to discover new music.

There is a stack of great music just waiting to be heard but who is listening?

(Note: What I ought to make clear is that I'm not slating anyone who chooses to listen to any of the aforementioned radio stations, nor am I questioning their musical taste. For as long as you are happy with what you are listening to then that's fine with me. My gripe is with the broadcasting industry.)

[RED4LIFE]

It would seem that another sleepless night has given me cause to stand on a soap box again...

During the brief seconds required to change CD's in the car, I had the misfortune of catching some tripe of a track on GWR (I might add that I've recently bought my car & have yet to retune the radio).

I don't know about anyone else on here, but I can't bear local commerical radio such as GWR, Star FM etc nor do I like stations like Radio 1 during peak times. Most of these stations seem to have a policy of 'We play it until you like it'. They seem to force feed their listeners the same old middle of the road music with little variation.

In my opinion, the best bands/artists are those that are burried under the feet of such stations and corporations & I make a good effort to dig around in the depths of the net to find new bands. Websites like pandora.com have always been really useful to help with this. It just bugs me that so many people/stations are afraid to risk their listening figures in order to promote an unknown that shows potential.

One of the reasons I like going to see small club live bands is because of the support acts. I can't count the number of times I've seen warm-up acts that have totally blown me away. However, this is an expensive (yet enjoyable) way of trying to discover new music.

There is a stack of great music just waiting to be heard but who is listening?

(Note: What I ought to make clear is that I'm not slating anyone who chooses to listen to any of the aforementioned radio stations, nor am I questioning their musical taste. For as long as you are happy with what you are listening to then that's fine with me. My gripe is with the broadcasting industry.)

Couldnt agree more with you there Jay. Most Commercial radio is just drivel. The same playlists every day, with virtually no chance taking on new bands/music.

I find local radio to be some of the worst in the world, e.g Bush and Troy are so cringe-worthy, they make Smashy and Nicey look like consumate proffesionals

Even Radio 1, with all their money is slipping downhill quickly. Chris Moyles, Scott Mills and Colin and Edith are all awful. Jo Whiley is the only person worth listening to, during the daytime, because at least she is passionate about music. Bring back Mark and Lard I say.

Jay, I have a few suggestions for up coming gigs in Bristol, Milburn and The Black Keys. Both playing in the next few months and both well worth seeing. Milburn on the 21st October @ Thekla, and Black keys 1st October @ Bristol Uni. I'm going to be going to both.

[Jay]

I have a few suggestions for up coming gigs in Bristol, Milburn and The Black Keys. Both playing in the next few months and both well worth seeing. Milburn on the 21st October @ Thekla, and Black keys 1st October @ Bristol Uni. I'm going to be going to both.

Thanks for the heads-up. The Black Keys aren;t quite my thing but I've heard that they are excellent live so I might just take a wonder. I've not yet listened to Milburn so will have a gander & go from there.

As for Jo Whiley, I'm not entirely convinced by her. Yes, she seems passionate about music but I'm still of the impression that she is told to promote certain bands - I guess thats just part of the job though. We all have to sell out to some extent.

[barry_manc]

Cant help but judge people on the music they listen to. Generally speaking you ask someone what they like and they respond with cheesy tripe like (am racking my brain for someone raelly bad but I cant think of any...) P Diddy and then turn out to be just as pretentious and shallow as the artist they like.

Whereas someone that likes Billy Holiday is much more liekly to have some depth and personality...

My personally, I like S Club 7, Mylene is sex on legs.

Have been gettin into the local scene round here - look out for Broke N English

[Jay]

Cant help but judge people on the music they listen to. Generally speaking you ask someone what they like and they respond with cheesy tripe like (am racking my brain for someone raelly bad but I cant think of any...) P Diddy and then turn out to be just as pretentious and shallow as the artist they like.

Whereas someone that likes Billy Holiday is much more liekly to have some depth and personality...

I refuse to judge people based on their musical tastes. I know what I like & for as long as people are happy with what they listen too then that's cool with me. I have friends that listen to music that would make my skin crawl but that doesn't mean I think any less of them or consider them to be lacking in depth. I come from a family of musicians & I've played in bands/backing bands/theatres for most of my life - I love to talk music & I enjoy hearing about new bands or simply why people like the music they like.

I freely admit that I struggle with much of the commercial music that is about but it obviously pleases many people. However, I do resent that many 'real' bands get shoved aside because of the instant whip manufactured bands that pop up every few minutes. Radio stations seem to latch on to these easily marketable products and saturate the airwaves with them. Think of MacDonalds: They have branches all over the place but does that mean they are making the best burgers?

[barry_manc]

I refuse to judge people based on their musical tastes. I know what I like & for as long as people are happy with what they listen too then that's cool with me. I have friends that listen to music that would make my skin crawl but that doesn't mean I think any less of them or consider them to be lacking in depth. I come from a family of musicians & I've played in bands/backing bands/theatres for most of my life - I love to talk music & I enjoy hearing about new bands or simply why people like the music they like.

I freely admit that I struggle with much of the commercial music that is about but it obviously pleases many people. However, I do resent that many 'real' bands get shoved aside because of the instant whip manufactured bands that pop up every few minutes. Radio stations seem to latch on to these easily marketable products and saturate the airwaves with them. Think of MacDonalds: They have branches all over the place but does that mean they are making the best burgers?

I'm not saying a judge a goth on their rock music etc - or judge people on their genre of music, and I have a lot of friends that listen to absolute cabbage like indie etc, I just mean that I judge people if they listen to tosh regardless of the genre - you get crap in any field of music - even drum and base! And these people are generally wandwagon hopers anyway. So, if someone tells me they like Eminiem, P Diddy and 50 cents, I'll think they're a planker. Whereas if they tell me about some new band (regardless on their tallent) I'll have more time for them as they obviously know more than most about music.

[Jay]

I'm not saying a judge a goth on their rock music etc - or judge people on their genre of music, and I have a lot of friends that listen to absolute cabbage like indie etc, I just mean that I judge people if they listen to tosh regardless of the genre - you get crap in any field of music - even drum and base!

'Tosh' is a matter of opinion though. Personally, I fail to see the appeal in Drum n Bass but there are people that like it nonetheless. I just think that making assumtions about a person based on what they listen to isn't fair judgement. Many may be subject to commercialism whereas others may naturally like the style of music.

And these people are generally wandwagon hopers anyway. So, if someone tells me they like Eminiem, P Diddy and 50 cents, I'll think they're a planker. Whereas if they tell me about some new band (regardless on their tallent) I'll have more time for them as they obviously know more than most about music.

Like you, I've alot of time for people that can introduce me to a new band or artist but, under the same breath, I will also take on board any comments from someone who professes to be a fan of a commercial band/artist. Radio & TV (and maybe internet) seem to be telling us what to like & what we should listen to - for some people that's fine, they may like the guidance. For me, however, I want to make my own choices. Look at many of the manufactured bands over the past 10-15 years; many of them are 'boy bands' that contain a number of good looking lads that have been trained to sing & dance. It's a highly marketable product that prays on the shallowness of the teenage girl population. It's clever exploitation of an artform & you have to admire the record companies for their marketing but I still feel it's an injustive to true & real music. However, this is simply my opinion.

[Dan C]

Bush and Troy are legends. I have had the pleasure to meet them a few times and they are a great laugh.

[barry_manc]

'Tosh' is a matter of opinion though. Personally, I fail to see the appeal in Drum n Bass but there are people that like it nonetheless. I just think that making assumtions about a person based on what they listen to isn't fair judgement. Many may be subject to commercialism whereas others may naturally like the style of music.

Like you, I've alot of time for people that can introduce me to a new band or artist but, under the same breath, I will also take on board any comments from someone who professes to be a fan of a commercial band/artist. Radio & TV (and maybe internet) seem to be telling us what to like & what we should listen to - for some people that's fine, they may like the guidance. For me, however, I want to make my own choices. Look at many of the manufactured bands over the past 10-15 years; many of them are 'boy bands' that contain a number of good looking lads that have been trained to sing & dance. It's a highly marketable product that prays on the shallowness of the teenage girl population. It's clever exploitation of an artform & you have to admire the record companies for their marketing but I still feel it's an injustive to true & real music. However, this is simply my opinion.

I think we're basically saying the same thing here but I'm saying it in my usual brash, ignorant way whilst you remain respectful and subtle

Tosh is a matter of opinion. And I judge someone on the opinion they hold. So when I hear someone raving about "start the car" (a horrible dnb song) I just think 'chavvy winker'. Or if someone tells me that they like the Kooks I think 'fair enough but get them skintight jeans off" type thing... I apply a stereotype (rightly or wrongly, and I'm sure most people do too) to the song they've talked about. Style of music, I think, is an irrelevance, it comes down to personal taste and taste isn't taught, it's inherited, so if it's someone that's going to try and drag me to the works on a night out becuase they're playing R Kellys greatest hits, I'd much rather not know that person, because of their taste in music. Fickle and ignorant, yep. But, pfft. Shallowness is one of my best attributes.

Unlike you, I cannot appreciate commercialism, nor people that are told an opinion through commercialisation.

[Redhyde]

My personally, I like S Club 7, Mylene is sex on legs.

You mean Rachel, Myleene was in Hear'say. *Goes off to shoot myself for knowing that* Or if you do mean Myleene, you're damn weird...

Anyway back to the subject matter, I only listen to music radio about once a week nowadays. Virgin's ok but samey, i like all the indie stuff bu listening to U2, Travis, Coldplay, more U2 the RHCPs all day is mindnumbing.

The lock up on radio one is good for my tastes as is Kerrang which seems to have turned into a slightly more indie version of Virgin except in the evenings when it goes harder. All of that's ok for me but i struggle to find a decent "rock" station during the day.

[barry_manc]

You mean Rachel, Myleene was in Hear'say. *Goes off to shoot myself for knowing that* Or if you do mean Myleene, you're damn weird...

Anyway back to the subject matter, I only listen to music radio about once a week nowadays. Virgin's ok but samey, i like all the indie stuff bu listening to U2, Travis, Coldplay, more U2 the RHCPs all day is mindnumbing.

The lock up on radio one is good for my tastes as is Kerrang which seems to have turned into a slightly more indie version of Virgin except in the evenings when it goes harder. All of that's ok for me but i struggle to find a decent "rock" station during the day.

I meant Myleene, but then I wouldn't complain if I only got Rachel.

What do you mean damn weird? Myleene is at the moment, my idle pin up, she is absolutely stunning and I'd say better than Rachel. Wouldn't mind seeing them both wrestling in custard

Could it be possible that radio adverts are even more annoying than tv ones

[WTFiGO!?!]

I broke our old radio out the back at work We've got a new one now .

It seems like the law of the land or something that one shall listen to radio 1 in the work place, most of the time I just can't handle it.

I would now systematically slag off each and every dj in turn and finish with a thoroughly damning appraisal of the station as a whole but that wouldn't be very nice of me, so I'll just use my current favorate saying instead ''it's all a load of bollox and bollox to it all''.

[Redhyde]

I meant Myleene, but then I wouldn't complain if I only got Rachel.

What do you mean damn weird? Myleene is at the moment, my idle pin up, she is absolutely stunning and I'd say better than Rachel. Wouldn't mind seeing them both wrestling in custard

Myleene is a poor man with worse eyesight's Jessica Alba.

[barry_manc]

Myleene is a poor man with worse eyesight's Jessica Alba.

Not even slightly. And to be fair, would you turn her down? Myleene makes me want to... FAMILYFORUM

[Jay]

I think we're basically saying the same thing here but I'm saying it in my usual brash, ignorant way whilst you remain respectful and subtle

Tosh is a matter of opinion. And I judge someone on the opinion they hold. So when I hear someone raving about "start the car" (a horrible dnb song) I just think 'chavvy winker'. Or if someone tells me that they like the Kooks I think 'fair enough but get them skintight jeans off" type thing... I apply a stereotype (rightly or wrongly, and I'm sure most people do too) to the song they've talked about. Style of music, I think, is an irrelevance, it comes down to personal taste and taste isn't taught, it's inherited, so if it's someone that's going to try and drag me to the works on a night out becuase they're playing R Kellys greatest hits, I'd much rather not know that person, because of their taste in music. Fickle and ignorant, yep. But, pfft. Shallowness is one of my best attributes.

Unlike you, I cannot appreciate commercialism, nor people that are told an opinion through commercialisation.

To say that I appreciate commercialism isn't quite accurate. I struggle to accept it but the fact is it exists and rules.

When it comes to learning about a person's tastes in music, even if they claim that their all time favourite track is The Birdie Song, I'll still give benefit of the doubt as I'd be intregued to know their reasons behind it. I like people that have different taste to me as I get another perspective - that doesn't just apply to music either. If we all liked the same thing we'd have nothing to debate.

Given the choice, I'd go to a club that plays the music I like but my circle of friends have very mixed tastes and a compromise is often reached. Besides that, I'm out to be in their company more than I am to be out for the music.

[barry_manc]

To say that I appreciate commercialism isn't quite accurate. I struggle to accept it but the fact is it exists and rules.

When it comes to learning about a person's tastes in music, even if they claim that their all time favourite track is The Birdie Song, I'll still give benefit of the doubt as I'd be intregued to know their reasons behind it. I like people that have different taste to me as I get another perspective - that doesn't just apply to music either. If we all liked the same thing we'd have nothing to debate.

Given the choice, I'd go to a club that plays the music I like but my circle of friends have very mixed tastes and a compromise is often reached. Besides that, I'm out to be in their company more than I am to be out for the music.

No no, werent saying that you appreciate commercialism (is that a made up word?), didnt mean it to come across like that.

I know what you mean like, and you still talk to the person in hand, but if they're offering you their opinion, and it's toilet, you're going to think that they're a bit of a mincer. Not saying that you'd act on that impulse, but you categorise/stereotype. Everyone does it out of instinct. I think? Obviously I'm not saying everyone should like what I like, and I'd much rather know people that did like other things a) to evolve my opinions and b ) to actually have something to talk about. But, when it comes to crappity crap music, you hear their opinion and think 'you're a bit rum and custard, do one' type thing... Or at least I do. Each to their own f course.

I'm too much of a moaner when I'm in crappy clubs, especially when you have to pay to get in. But then, if there's tallent on show my attention is easily redirected

Annnyway, I think we've diverged (another made up word?), radios should be shot.

[robins72]

I tend to listen to cds rather than the radio. If I put the radio on its usually talk sport or radio 5 live for sports updates.

[Jay]

I tend to listen to cds rather than the radio. If I put the radio on its usually talk sport or radio 5 live for sports updates.

Good call!

Actually Lis, you're an example I can use to illustrate my point. You've recently been to see both Ronan Keating & Take That - an artist & a band that I really don't like (especially as they were born out of the 'manufactured' mould). Commercial radio thrives on these people & will gladly churn out their tunes over the airwaves. However, I know you outside of this forum & my opinion of you is not tainted by your musical taste. Sure, I'd rather pull my own teeth than go to a Ronan gig but that doesn't mean that I class you in any way for having attended yourself. Whether you naturally like this music or whether you've been caught up on the saturation & marketing is for you to decide.

I'm too much of a moaner when I'm in crappy clubs, especially when you have to pay to get in. But then, if there's tallent on show my attention is easily redirected

That's another thing I hate - clubs that are meat markets. Now, this may seem like a sweeping generalisation but I find that many people 'on show' in these clubs lack depth. Give me a down-to-earth type any day. The kind of person in these types of clubs don't appeal to me & the competition is way too fierce for a mug like me!

[Dorset_Cider]

It would seem that another sleepless night has given me cause to stand on a soap box again...

During the brief seconds required to change CD's in the car, I had the misfortune of catching some tripe of a track on GWR (I might add that I've recently bought my car & have yet to retune the radio).

I don't know about anyone else on here, but I can't bear local commerical radio such as GWR, Star FM etc nor do I like stations like Radio 1 during peak times. Most of these stations seem to have a policy of 'We play it until you like it'. They seem to force feed their listeners the same old middle of the road music with little variation.

In my opinion, the best bands/artists are those that are burried under the feet of such stations and corporations & I make a good effort to dig around in the depths of the net to find new bands. Websites like pandora.com have always been really useful to help with this. It just bugs me that so many people/stations are afraid to risk their listening figures in order to promote an unknown that shows potential.

One of the reasons I like going to see small club live bands is because of the support acts. I can't count the number of times I've seen warm-up acts that have totally blown me away. However, this is an expensive (yet enjoyable) way of trying to discover new music.

There is a stack of great music just waiting to be heard but who is listening?

(Note: What I ought to make clear is that I'm not slating anyone who chooses to listen to any of the aforementioned radio stations, nor am I questioning their musical taste. For as long as you are happy with what you are listening to then that's fine with me. My gripe is with the broadcasting industry.)

Good radio is still around but maybe not the shows you catch?

The net is the place to catch some really interesting stuff....... but GWR or many local stations erm yeah right........ even radio Briztol & Wurzelzet Zounds..... tip out a few good un's

Once upon a time I used to do sessions with bands for local radio....... when I was not doing BBC Radio 1 sessions.............. do many local stations still do this sort of thing?

The truth is out there go find it man!

[Jay]

The truth is out there go find it man!

Agreed - just a pity you gotta dig deep for it!

[Dorset_Cider]

Agreed - just a pity you gotta dig deep for it!

Half the fun mate....... dig deep

I suppose it was always that way really but sometimes the majors and radio stations available would bring you that gem?

Still do from time to time but maybe by mistake now ?

Keep those ears tuned in eh

[Jay]

I suppose it was always that way really but sometimes the majors and radio stations available would bring you that gem?

That's true (or at least it used to be). There was a point in time when a station like Radio 1 would play a track by some unknown band that are about to support a larger band that they normally kiss the arse of. Problem was that they'd play the track once & then never mention it or play it again! This puts Radio 1 higher up the ladder than GWR but only just. It's like seeking out diamonds in the rough sometimes...

[gazareth]

BBC 6Music is a really good station - it's just a shame that in-car DAB radios are so bloody expensive!

[Jay]

BBC 6Music is a really good station - it's just a shame that in-car DAB radios are so bloody expensive!

I'll give it a go. Cheers

I'm mainly sticking with pandora.com at the mo' as it's a brilliantly useful tool for finding bands based on the info you give it.

[STA-BS14]

I drove down to newquay at the weekend, and got bored with my cd's, so i banged on radio1, and they were live in ibiza at cafe mambo and it was brilliant some of the dance/trance tunes were awsome!

But i agree most stations overplay songs and it gets frustrating.

[Red`s Ashtonic Lustpit]

I used to work nights at Rhodia in Avonmouth. One lad insisted on playing hip-hop "music" on R1. Truly, I felt like pulling out my own brain, through my nostril, with a straightened coat hanger. Arse.

[barry_manc]

I used to work nights at Rhodia in Avonmouth. One lad insisted on playing hip-hop "music" on R1. Truly, I felt like pulling out my own brain, through my nostril, with a straightened coat hanger. Arse.

You're a fan then? When I'm up for a goodun nose in's and out's are inevitable. You should listen to 1xtra, sounds right up your street