Shockwave Radio Theater
Encyclopedia
Shockwave Radio Theater was broadcast for 28 years on Fresh Air Radio, the community radio station KFAI-FM, 90.3FM Minneapolis
, 106.7FM St. Paul
. Much of Shockwave Radio is archived on archive.org or on the audio page of Dave Romm's portal. Podcast
s of some shows are available as Baron Dave makes them.
The name of the program was Shockwave. To distinguish the broadcasts from the Macromedia software
(which came much later), it's often referred to as Shockwave Radio. To expand further and to emphasize original productions, the full name of the program was used: Shockwave Radio Theater.
Shockwave Radio Theater specialized in science fiction humor, but diverged into science fact, strange music of any genre and just general weirdness. Baron Dave declared that "Politics is a subset of science fiction humor." The program occasionally interviewed politicians including then-Governor Jesse Ventura
and the station's Congressman Keith Ellison
. Political commentary on a progressive slant was common. Quite often the show would share time with Jerry Stearns' Sound Affects: A Radio Playground to present hour-long science fiction radio theater programs.
music. They named it after John Brunner's novel Shockwave Rider
. Everett Forte, Chris Dronen and Charles E. Hamilton III volunteered on Fresh Air Radio. Within a few weeks, Charles had left for greener pastures. Everett and Chris went to a local science fiction convention and asked if anyone wanted to help. The next show, September 19, 1979, five science fiction fans showed up at the station and were interviewed by Chris. This is the date used for anniversary, but Everett, Chris, and Charles are owed much thanks.
Dave Romm (now Baron Dave) was one of the people on the first show, and is now the main producer and host of the program. Many people have contributed their talents as writer/performer over the years, and many more have been interviewed or have been part of a Shockwave program in some way. Everyone associated with the program, either as a broadcaster or a listener, is known as a Shockwave Rider.
Unfortunately, the show went off the air in 2007 due to a reshuffling of KFAI's schedule. Romm has some podcasts recorded during the summer of 2008 on his site.
from 1981–1999. The first Live Stage Show was at Not-Anokon I in 1980, the most recent was at MarsCon
in 2004. Opening Ceremonies/Middle Ceremonies/Closing Ceremonoies at LACon
III in 1996 was written by Baron Dave but was not technically a Shockwave Radio Theater Production.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, 106.7FM St. Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
. Much of Shockwave Radio is archived on archive.org or on the audio page of Dave Romm's portal. Podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
s of some shows are available as Baron Dave makes them.
The name of the program was Shockwave. To distinguish the broadcasts from the Macromedia software
Macromedia
Macromedia was an American graphics and web development software company headquartered in San Francisco, California that produced such products as Flash and Dreamweaver. Its rival, Adobe Systems, acquired Macromedia on December 3, 2005 and controls the line of Macromedia...
(which came much later), it's often referred to as Shockwave Radio. To expand further and to emphasize original productions, the full name of the program was used: Shockwave Radio Theater.
Shockwave Radio Theater specialized in science fiction humor, but diverged into science fact, strange music of any genre and just general weirdness. Baron Dave declared that "Politics is a subset of science fiction humor." The program occasionally interviewed politicians including then-Governor Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura
James George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
and the station's Congressman Keith Ellison
Keith Ellison (politician)
Keith Maurice Ellison is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. The district centers on Minneapolis. He was re-elected in 2010. Ellison is a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.He is the first Muslim to be elected to the...
. Political commentary on a progressive slant was common. Quite often the show would share time with Jerry Stearns' Sound Affects: A Radio Playground to present hour-long science fiction radio theater programs.
Origins
In the summer of 1979, three broadcasters on a new station wanted a program to showcase science fictionScience fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
music. They named it after John Brunner's novel Shockwave Rider
The Shockwave Rider
The Shockwave Rider is a science fiction novel by John Brunner, originally published in 1975. It is notable for its hero's use of computer hacking skills to escape pursuit in a dystopian future, and for the coining of the word "worm" to describe a program that propagates itself through a computer...
. Everett Forte, Chris Dronen and Charles E. Hamilton III volunteered on Fresh Air Radio. Within a few weeks, Charles had left for greener pastures. Everett and Chris went to a local science fiction convention and asked if anyone wanted to help. The next show, September 19, 1979, five science fiction fans showed up at the station and were interviewed by Chris. This is the date used for anniversary, but Everett, Chris, and Charles are owed much thanks.
Dave Romm (now Baron Dave) was one of the people on the first show, and is now the main producer and host of the program. Many people have contributed their talents as writer/performer over the years, and many more have been interviewed or have been part of a Shockwave program in some way. Everyone associated with the program, either as a broadcaster or a listener, is known as a Shockwave Rider.
Unfortunately, the show went off the air in 2007 due to a reshuffling of KFAI's schedule. Romm has some podcasts recorded during the summer of 2008 on his site.
An incomplete history of Shockwave live stage shows
Shockwave performed a live radio program at MiniconMinicon
Minicon is a science fiction and fantasy convention in Minneapolis usually held on Easter weekend. Started in 1968 and running approximately annually since then, it is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in the midwest United States...
from 1981–1999. The first Live Stage Show was at Not-Anokon I in 1980, the most recent was at MarsCon
MarsCon (Bloomington, Minnesota)
MarsCon is a science fiction convention held in Bloomington, Minnesota. It was first held in February 1999 with the goal of appealing to a diverse audience of fans in Minnesota and the vicinity...
in 2004. Opening Ceremonies/Middle Ceremonies/Closing Ceremonoies at LACon
Lacon
Lacon can refer to:Places:* Lacon, Alabama* Lacon, Illinois* Lacon Township, Marshall County, IllinoisOther:* Lacon , a click beetle genus* Lacon family, a Sardinian dynasty* Oliver Lacon, a character in John le Carré's novels...
III in 1996 was written by Baron Dave but was not technically a Shockwave Radio Theater Production.
An incomplete list of Shockwave Riders
The list is very long and will be added to. Included here are people who wrote for or performed in productions. The list of interviewees will be in a different section.- Baron Dave Romm
- Brian Westley
- Doug Friauf
- Jerry Stearns
- Kara DalkeyKara DalkeyKara Mia Dalkey is an American author of young adult fiction and historical fantasy. She was born in Los Angeles and has lived in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Seattle. Much of her fiction is set in the Heian period of Japan....
- Emma BullEmma BullEmma Bull is a science fiction and fantasy author whose best-known novel is War for the Oaks, one of the pioneering works of urban fantasy. She has participated in Terri Windling's Borderland shared universe, which is the setting of her 1994 novel Finder...
- Kate WorleyKate WorleyKate Worley was an American comic book writer best known for her work on Omaha the Cat Dancer. She was a writer and performer for the science fiction comedy radio program Shockwave Radio Theater.-Early life and career:...
- Chris Dronen
- Everett Forte
- Steven BrustSteven BrustSteven Karl Zoltán Brust is an American fantasy and science fiction author of Hungarian descent. He was a member of the writers' group The Scribblies, which included Emma Bull, Pamela Dean, Will Shetterly, Nate Bucklin, Kara Dalkey, and Patricia Wrede; he also belongs to the Pre-Joycean...
- Rob Hunter
- Curtis H. Hoffmann
- John M. FordJohn M. FordJohn Milo "Mike" Ford was an American science fiction and fantasy writer, game designer, and poet.Ford was regarded as an extraordinarily intelligent, erudite and witty man. He was a popular contributor to several online discussions...
- Jane YolenJane YolenJane Hyatt Yolen is an American author and editor of almost 300 books. These include folklore, fantasy, science fiction, and children's books...
- David Cummer
- Howard Harrison
- John Bartelt
- Barney Neufeld
- Hillary Posner
- John HoughtonJohn HoughtonJohn Houghton may refer to:* John Houghton , English Catholic priest and martyr* Sir John T. Houghton, British scientist*John Houghton , New Zealand international football player...
- Denny Lien
- Terry Garey
- Ed Eastman
- Beth Eastman
- Ruth Anderson
- Sheryl Lies
- Mike MacKinnon
- Rick Crabtree
- Erik Baker
- Nate Bucklin
- David Emerson
- Eric M. Heideman
- Allen VarneyAllen VarneyAllen Varney is an American writer and game designer born in St. Louis, Missouri. He has a dual B.A. in English and History from the University of Nevada, Reno....
- David OssmanDavid OssmanDavid Ossman is an American writer and comedian, best known as a member of The Firesign Theatre.-Career:...
- Phil Proctor
- Barry B. LongyearBarry B. LongyearBarry B. Longyear born 1942 is a US writer and novelist who resides in Maine.-Career:He is best known for the Hugo and Nebula Award winning novella Enemy Mine, which was subsequently made into an identically titled movie and a novelization in collaboration with David Gerrold. The story tells of an...
- Jon Singer
- Luke SkiLuke SkiLuke Ski is a parody, filk and rap artist who writes, records and performs comedy music. He had the #1 most requested song on the Dr...