Finally! Let's Rock!

5 stupid things about Britain:

1. The tabloids
2. Boris Johnson being given any responsibility outside of a quiz show
3. The fact that ASBOs were ever needed
4. We're currently looking to the French to build our nuclear reactors*
   
5. We produced some of the greatest music of the last half-century and yet you have to cross the Atlantic to listen to it on the radio

*You'd understand how shameful that is if you'd ever worked in the industry

#5 has always peeved me off. As well as the heavy metal I really like my classic rock. I mean it has been a near lifelong obsession. When my friends at school were all listening to the Stone Roses, I was pumping things like Black Sabbath, Queen, ZZ Top and the Beatles out of my stereo. But could I get it anywhere on the radio? Hell no.

I got a glimpse of the way things should be when I did a field project in Vancouver in 2001. There's a station there called 'Rock 101'. It kicked arse, even if it was a little U2-obsessed. It also showed me the way things should be. We've traditionally been deprived of this in the UK, despite gifting the world with much of this music. Radio 2 and a few of the others do occasionally play the odd decent track, but it's always hidden in amongst lots of easy listening and jazz. The closest we had was Kerrang!, which is OK if (1) you live in the West Midlands, (2) you don't mind bland Emo and Metalcore and (3) you're OK with the Foo Fighters, Green Day and the Dandy Warhols being grossly overplayed.


But no longer. Now Manchester has 106.1 Rock Radio and I've already decided it is my favourite radio station ever in the whole wide world bar none. The reception out in Disley is a bit shaky but it's good enough. It was officially launched today, their first official song being For Those About to Rock by AC/DC (I mean, seriously, what else?) and I've also so far been listening to The Who, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Judas Priest, Kiss, Alice Cooper... the list goes on. It's also not confined to the platform shoes and denim jacket brigades, with some more recent stuff that I heartily approve of such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kaiser Chiefs, Nickelback and Blur. They even have relevant sponsors such as guitar sting manufacturers and music tutoring.

I'm struggling to find words. This kicks arse. I've finally got the radio station I've waited my entire 30-year life for. I don't care if you don't understand. I'm sure at least Dave Topping can relate. And probably Ian as well. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some listening time to get in.