Amazingly, in September this year, BBC Radio Lancashires specialist music program "On The Wire" will be 25 years old. Even before the start of this series, there was an embryonic program called Spin Off but when it became On the Wire and moved to Sunday afternoons, it really took of and became an institution.
To some it was no doubt just that weird program that made a racket on a quiet Sunday Afternoon, but to the programs many fans and officianados it was a way of life. Although not a powerful radio signal in the scheme of things. this did not stop people parking camper-vans on tops of mountains in Wales because this was the only way to get the show in those parts. Strange maybe but don't forget, there was and still is nothing quite like On the Wire. Tapes of classic shows eagerly changed hands and the late great John Peel regularly used to listen to tapes of Steve Barkers shows in his car travelling between his home in Norfolk and the BBC in London.
Although Steve Barkers shows and those of John Peel were different in many ways there were undoubtedly overlaps. Both shows explored the fringe and peered behind the facade of modern and classic music of practially all genres and the music, often challenging, was presented in an informal yet very informative way. In both cases, talking over the tunes was a Capital Crime and the music was always allowed the last word.
Sadly Uncle John is no longer with us, but Steve Barker and On the Wire still carry the torch for both new and experimental music. Blues, Jazz, Folk, Rock, Indie, Dub, Drum and Bass still find a safe refuge on Steves Saturday night shows and once a month Andy ‘Madhatter’ Holmes and Pete Haigh present their Funkology show. Over the years Studio guests have included people such as Adrian Sherwood, Keith LeBlanc, Jah Wobble, Natacha Atlas, And lets not forget Steve's Rock Steady Crew, featuring Michael "Fenny" Fenton spinning indie tunes and local bands and the ever vigilant Jim Ingham platting the wires and stirring the tech in the background.
Many local bands and musicians have graced the airwaves from Radio Lancashire on record, tape and even in the flesh but so have some remarkable stars of the alternative and the underground. I for one will never forget the spectacle of Lee Scratch Perry doing a three hour show with Steve whilst the Legendary DJ and promoter Roger Eagle pulled Scratch tunes out of his bottomless bag of vinyl, many, so rare that even Lee could not remember them. Happy Days indeed.
Not surprisingly, On The Wire could not let such an important milestone as this go by without some degree of celebration. Consequently, Steve Barker and the team will be hosting a special all live show, probably extended beyond the normal two hours (if a producer can stay up that late in these appalling Post Jonathan Ross times) featuring special guests and probably not so special guests such as moi.
Either side of this will probably be all blues or all dub specials just like Mama used to bake. I have also had a chat with Terry in Chicago and Michael Rose in Minneapolis about doing another "Tunes Across the Big Pond" event. This could involve them sending pre-recorded pieces over to us which we could paste into our shows and an edition of On the Wire sent over to them to be re-broadcast over there. Steve says he is hoping to secure a variety of DJ mixes to be played throughout the month. It worked fine last time so lets see what happens this time.
Thats the story so far but its early days yet and nothing is confirmed. So stay tuned for more info as things are finalised. Remember, The Revolution will not be Broadcast (but you might be able to download it)
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