Steve Lamacq
Encyclopedia
Steve Lamacq sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo (given to him by John Peel
) or "The Cat" (due to his ability as a goalkeeper) is an English
disc jockey
, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music
and BBC Radio 2
.
, Hampshire. His family soon moved to Essex and he grew up in the Halstead
area in a village called Colne Engaine
. Lamacq's career in journalism began as a junior reporter at the West Essex Gazette, after studying Journalism at Harlow College
, Essex. In similar fashion to other music journalists who started fanzines during their teenage years, Lamacq started one called A Pack of Lies.
It was during his time at NME
that he began DJing on XFM
, when it was still a pirate radio
station. He formed a record label
in 1992 with Alan James and Tony Smith, called Deceptive Records
. The majority of the label's releases shared a punk-pop sensibility, with Elastica
being their most successful signing, before the label eventually folded in 2001.
In 1991, Lamacq was unwittingly involved in one of the most infamous events in British rock music of recent times during a post-gig interview at the Norwich Arts Centre
with Welsh
rock band Manic Street Preachers
for the NME. After repeated attempts by the bands co-lyricist Richey James Edwards
to convince Lamacq that they were "for real", Edwards gave up and carved 4 Real into his forearm with a razor blade. The editorial meeting in which the story was discussed, was recorded for a BBC Radio 5
documentary, "Sleeping With the NME", which later appeared as the b-side to the Manics' 1992 charity record
"Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)
".
Between 1995 and 1997, Lamacq occasionally presented Top of the Pops
on BBC 1 with fellow Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley
. He presented the show alone on several occasions.
Lamacq is a well-known fan of Colchester United
, has written an autobiography
, entitled Going Deaf for a Living and has also acted as a compere on the main stage at the Carling Reading Festival Weekend on several occasions.
Between 1993 and 1997 Lamacq presented The Evening Session with Jo Whiley
, and then on his own until December 2002, when the programme was cancelled. Colin Murray
served as a temporary replacement for six months until Zane Lowe
's contract with the London station XFM
ended in June 2003, where he took up a permanent position. On 28 September 2007, both he and Whiley reunited to recreate The Evening Session on the latter's show as part of Radio 1's 40th Anniversary celebrations.
He also presented the indie radio show Lamacq Live every Monday evening, beginning in July 1998 and ending on 18 September 2006. The show ended as part of a makeover in Radio 1's schedule in order to present a "younger image" to Radio One listeners, with Colin Murray
taking over his slot.
Lamacq has also presented documentaries for the station, as well as hosting their John Peel
Night special. He presented the In New Music We Trust programme every Monday night from 9 to 10pm until August 2009, when it was announced he would be leaving Radio 1 as part of a shakeup in the scheduling.
6 Music
Lamacq's homepage on the 6 Music website described Lamacq Live as "the UK's most influential indie radio show". He also has a programme on the BBC's digital station, 6 Music, which was on Sunday afternoons, but from April 2005 he has presented the daily teatime show on 6 Music, taking over from Andrew Collins
, where he still remains.
In March 2010 it was announced that Lamacq and fellow Radio 1 presenter Jo Whiley
would present a one-off Evening Session (the first in 13 years) on Good Friday (2 April) for BBC 6 Music
.
Radio 2
In addition to his regular 6 Music slot, he also presents a weekly show on BBC Radio 2
where he plays his own choice of music and introduces his listeners to both new and emerging artists.
Beginning in April 2007, the show was originally broadcast on Wednesdays between 11.30pm and 12.30am and, since April 2008, between 11.00pm and 12.00am. At Easter 2010, as part of wider changes to the Radio 2 evening schedule, Trevor Nelson
took over the Wednesday 2300 slot (having previously been on in the hour before Lamacq), with Lamacq moving to 2300 on Saturday nights.
In 2007, he deputised for Bob Harris
on Saturdays from 11pm-2am, who had to receive treatment for cancer. As a result of Lamacq's move to Saturdays, Harris' show now airs from midnight to 3am.
5Live
Lamacq has appeared as a guest on 5live sport punditry show Fighting Talk
hosted by Colin Murray
. His appearances have been a highlight on the show due to his impassioned diatribes about his favoured football team, the Dutch Go Ahead Eagles
and his outrageous flirting with the host. His theme tune was recently changed from 'Mack the Knife' to 'The Oompa-Loompa song', due to his status as the smallest fighting talk competitor.
The second track list contains one addition which is 'Paul Weller - Wildwood (Portishead Mix)' but omits some tracks from the first. The final version has mainly the same artists, but different tracks to the previous versions. The album has become a rare and sought-after item among some music fans.
Track listing as released:
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
) or "The Cat" (due to his ability as a goalkeeper) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
and BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
.
Early career
He was born in BasingstokeBasingstoke
Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is southwest of London, northeast of Southampton, southwest of Reading and northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of...
, Hampshire. His family soon moved to Essex and he grew up in the Halstead
Halstead
Halstead is a town and civil parish located in Braintree District of Essex, England, near Colchester and Sudbury. It has a population of 11,053. The town is situated in the Colne Valley, and originally developed on the hill to the north of the river...
area in a village called Colne Engaine
Colne Engaine
Colne Engaine is a village and a civil parish in Essex, England, situated just north of the River Colne and of the larger village of Earls Colne. The village takes its name from the river, around which it is likely that the earliest settlements were made, and the Engaine family, who were the...
. Lamacq's career in journalism began as a junior reporter at the West Essex Gazette, after studying Journalism at Harlow College
Harlow College
Harlow College is a Further Education college in Harlow, Essex. It was preceded by its homonym, a boys' boarding school situated in Old Harlow, which closed in 1965 ....
, Essex. In similar fashion to other music journalists who started fanzines during their teenage years, Lamacq started one called A Pack of Lies.
It was during his time at NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
that he began DJing on XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
, when it was still a pirate radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
station. He formed a record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in 1992 with Alan James and Tony Smith, called Deceptive Records
Deceptive Records
Deceptive Records was a British independent record label formed in 1992 by Steve Lamacq, Tony Smith and Alan James, which concentrated on rock and alternative rock. The most famous group signed to the label were Elastica....
. The majority of the label's releases shared a punk-pop sensibility, with Elastica
Elastica
Elastica were an English alternative rock band that played punk rock-influenced music. They were best known for their 1995 album Elastica, which produced singles that charted in the US and the UK.-History:...
being their most successful signing, before the label eventually folded in 2001.
In 1991, Lamacq was unwittingly involved in one of the most infamous events in British rock music of recent times during a post-gig interview at the Norwich Arts Centre
Norwich Arts Centre
Norwich Arts Centre is a live music venue, concert hall and theatre located in St. Benedict's Street in Norwich, Norfolk, England. It has a capacity of 290 for standing music concerts and 120 for seated events. The centre also includes visual art galleries and multi media teaching facilities.The...
with Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
rock band Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
for the NME. After repeated attempts by the bands co-lyricist Richey James Edwards
Richey James Edwards
Richard James Edwards was a Welsh musician who was rhythm guitarist and lyricist of the alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers. He was known for his politicized and intellectual songwriting which, combined with an enigmatic and eloquent character, has assured him cult status...
to convince Lamacq that they were "for real", Edwards gave up and carved 4 Real into his forearm with a razor blade. The editorial meeting in which the story was discussed, was recorded for a BBC Radio 5
BBC Radio 5 (former)
BBC Radio 5 was a BBC radio network that carried sport, children's and educational programmes.It was transmitted via analogue radio on 693 and 909 kHz, and lasted for three years and eight months. The success of BBC Radio 4's coverage of the Gulf War, on a service known as Scud FM,...
documentary, "Sleeping With the NME", which later appeared as the b-side to the Manics' 1992 charity record
Charity record
A charity record is a release of a song for a specific charitable cause. Some of the earliest charity records came from the Music for UNICEF Concert, with ABBA's Chiquitita and the Bee Gees' Too Much Heaven among them released as singles, with all the royalties going to UNICEF...
"Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)
Suicide Is Painless
"Suicide Is Painless" is a song written by Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman , which is best known for being featured as the theme song for both the movie and TV series M*A*S*H. The actual title is "Song from M*A*S*H" ". Mike Altman is the son of the original film's director, Robert Altman, and was 14...
".
Between 1995 and 1997, Lamacq occasionally presented Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
on BBC 1 with fellow Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
. He presented the show alone on several occasions.
Lamacq is a well-known fan of Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
, has written an autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, entitled Going Deaf for a Living and has also acted as a compere on the main stage at the Carling Reading Festival Weekend on several occasions.
BBC Radio
Radio 1Between 1993 and 1997 Lamacq presented The Evening Session with Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
, and then on his own until December 2002, when the programme was cancelled. Colin Murray
Colin Murray
Colin Murray is a Northern Irish sports and music radio and television presenter. He is the current host of the BBC Television show Match of the Day 2 on BBC Two, and the BBC Radio 5 Live shows 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk, as well as a show on BBC Radio Ulster. He has previously hosted regular...
served as a temporary replacement for six months until Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
's contract with the London station XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
ended in June 2003, where he took up a permanent position. On 28 September 2007, both he and Whiley reunited to recreate The Evening Session on the latter's show as part of Radio 1's 40th Anniversary celebrations.
He also presented the indie radio show Lamacq Live every Monday evening, beginning in July 1998 and ending on 18 September 2006. The show ended as part of a makeover in Radio 1's schedule in order to present a "younger image" to Radio One listeners, with Colin Murray
Colin Murray
Colin Murray is a Northern Irish sports and music radio and television presenter. He is the current host of the BBC Television show Match of the Day 2 on BBC Two, and the BBC Radio 5 Live shows 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk, as well as a show on BBC Radio Ulster. He has previously hosted regular...
taking over his slot.
Lamacq has also presented documentaries for the station, as well as hosting their John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
Night special. He presented the In New Music We Trust programme every Monday night from 9 to 10pm until August 2009, when it was announced he would be leaving Radio 1 as part of a shakeup in the scheduling.
6 Music
Lamacq's homepage on the 6 Music website described Lamacq Live as "the UK's most influential indie radio show". He also has a programme on the BBC's digital station, 6 Music, which was on Sunday afternoons, but from April 2005 he has presented the daily teatime show on 6 Music, taking over from Andrew Collins
Andrew Collins (broadcaster)
Andrew Collins is the creator and writer of Radio 4 sitcom Mr Blue Sky. His TV writing work includes EastEnders and the sitcoms Grass and Not Going Out .-Personal life:Collins was a member of the Labour Party between the late 1980s and early 1990s, leaving after Labour's...
, where he still remains.
In March 2010 it was announced that Lamacq and fellow Radio 1 presenter Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
would present a one-off Evening Session (the first in 13 years) on Good Friday (2 April) for BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
.
Radio 2
In addition to his regular 6 Music slot, he also presents a weekly show on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
where he plays his own choice of music and introduces his listeners to both new and emerging artists.
Beginning in April 2007, the show was originally broadcast on Wednesdays between 11.30pm and 12.30am and, since April 2008, between 11.00pm and 12.00am. At Easter 2010, as part of wider changes to the Radio 2 evening schedule, Trevor Nelson
Trevor Nelson
Trevor Nelson MBE is an English DJ and presenter.Born in Hackney to a family of St Lucian heritage, he attended Central Foundation Boys' Grammar School in Cowper St, Islington, London EC2 and Westminster Kingsway College...
took over the Wednesday 2300 slot (having previously been on in the hour before Lamacq), with Lamacq moving to 2300 on Saturday nights.
In 2007, he deputised for Bob Harris
Bob Harris (radio)
Robert Brinley Joseph "Bob" Harris, OBE , known as "Whispering" Bob Harris, is British radio host who currently works for BBC Radio 2, presenting music two nights a week...
on Saturdays from 11pm-2am, who had to receive treatment for cancer. As a result of Lamacq's move to Saturdays, Harris' show now airs from midnight to 3am.
5Live
Lamacq has appeared as a guest on 5live sport punditry show Fighting Talk
Fighting Talk
Fighting Talk is a topical sports show broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live during the English football season. Its first series aired in October 2003, and was presented by Johnny Vaughan. The second series featured Christian O'Connell. It is currently hosted by Colin Murray and is aired on Saturday...
hosted by Colin Murray
Colin Murray
Colin Murray is a Northern Irish sports and music radio and television presenter. He is the current host of the BBC Television show Match of the Day 2 on BBC Two, and the BBC Radio 5 Live shows 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk, as well as a show on BBC Radio Ulster. He has previously hosted regular...
. His appearances have been a highlight on the show due to his impassioned diatribes about his favoured football team, the Dutch Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
The Go Ahead Eagles are a football club from Deventer, Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie. The club's home stadium is De Adelaarshorst. To date, the club has won the national championship four times...
and his outrageous flirting with the host. His theme tune was recently changed from 'Mack the Knife' to 'The Oompa-Loompa song', due to his status as the smallest fighting talk competitor.
Weekenders Mix CD
Weekenders was a compilation album mixed by Steve Lamacq in 1996. It has a dance and indie feel rolled into one with tracks such as Pulp's "Common People" and Blur's "Girls and Boys" along side tracks by The Chemical Brothers, Prodigy and Orbital. The album contains two earlier draft track listings for the album. The first track list is given as:- 1. Flowered Up - It's On
- 2. The Charlatans - Weirdo
- 3. The Stone Roses - Begging You
- 4. Pulp - Common People
- 5. Blur - Girls and Boys
- 6. The Chemical Brothers - In Dust We Trust
- 7. Primal Scream - Jailbrid
- 8. Prodigy - Voodoo People
- 9. Manic Street Preachers - La Tristessa Durerra
- 10. Tricky - Black Street
- 11. Monkey Mafia - Blow The Whole Joint Up
- 12. Happy Mondays - WFL
- 13. Oasis - Cigarettes and Alcohol
- 14. Menswear - Daydreamer
- 15. Black Grape - Rev. Black Grape
- 16. New Order - Regret
- 17. The La's - There She Goes
- 18. Dubstar - The Stars
- 19. **UNKNOWN ARTIST/TRACK/LABEL** (Has note next to it 'They never do it')
The second track list contains one addition which is 'Paul Weller - Wildwood (Portishead Mix)' but omits some tracks from the first. The final version has mainly the same artists, but different tracks to the previous versions. The album has become a rare and sought-after item among some music fans.
Track listing as released:
- 1. Pulp - Common People (Motiv-8 Mix)
- 2. Blur - Boys And Girls (Pet Shop Boys 12" Mix)
- 3. Dubstar - Stars (Sky 12" Mix)
- 4. New Order - Spooky (Fluke Remix)
- 5. Prodigy - Voodoo People
- 6. The Chemical Brothers - In Dust We Trust
- 7. Monkey Mafia - Blow The Whole Joint Up
- 8. Björk - Big Time Sensuality (Megamix)
- 9. The Charlatans - Weirdo
- 10. Menswear - Daydreamer/Dubdreamer
- 11. The Boo Radleys - Lazarus
- 12. Orbital - Halcyon
- 13. Garbage - Vow
- 14. Manic Street Preachers - La Tristessa Durerra (Scream To A Sigh)Remixed by The Chemical Brothers
- 15. Happy Mondays - Hallelujah (Deadstock Mix)
- 16. Paul Weller - Kosmos (Lynchmob Beats Mix)
- 17. The Stone Roses - Waterfall