Steve Lamacq
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| Steve Lamacq | |
| Born | October 16, 1965 (age 41) Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom |
| Show | Steve Lamacq on Music6 |
| Station(s) | BBC 6 Music |
| Time slot | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Weekdays |
| Show 2 | In New Music We Trust |
| Station 2 | BBC Radio 1 |
| Time slot | 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. Mondays |
| Style | Disc Jockey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Website | Steve Lamacq on 6music |
Steve Lamacq (born 16 October 1965), 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 Radio 1, BBC 6 Music & from April 18th, BBC Radio 2.
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[edit] Early Career
He was born in Bournemouth, which was then in the English county of Hampshire. His family soon moved to Essex and he grew up in the Halstead area in a village called Colne Engaine. Lamacq's journalistic career began as a junior reporter at the West Essex Gazette, after studying Journalism at Harlow College, Essex. It is obligatory that all music journalists would have started a fanzine during their teenage years. Lamacq's fanzine was called A Pack Of Lies.
It was during his time at the New Musical Express 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. Their most successful signing was Elastica. Most of the label's releases shared a punk- pop sensibility. Deceptive Records folded in 2001. Lamacq has written an autobiography, entitled Going Deaf For A Living.
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" (the Manics had been making outrageous statements in the music press), Edwards gave up and carved 4 Real into his forearm with a razor blade. The publicity this created nearly single handedly launched the Manics into the superstar bracket. 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' single "Suicide Is Painless" (Theme from M*A*S*H).
Lamacq is viewed by many as a key figure in shaping British musical taste, especially in the age group of 17-25, and a natural successor to the late great John Peel in championing new music. His removal from mainstream radio onto what is seen as a sideshow station has caused great disappointment among young listeners with whom Lamacq achieved a legendary status.
[edit] Radio 1
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. Lamacq presented the indie radio show Lamacq Live every Monday evening until September 18th, 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.. Lamacq Live began in late July 1998. Colin Murray effectively took over his slot, but Lamacq still presents documentaries for the station and will be hosting John Peel night later this year. He now also presents Radio One's In New Music We Trust slot every Monday night from 9 to 10 p.m. Tim Westwood, Jo Whiley and Pete Tong present the same slot Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays respectively.
[edit] BBC 6 Music
Lamacq's homepage on the BBC's 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 addition to this, since April 2007, he also presents a weekly show on BBC Radio 2, every Wednesday night from 11.30pm - 12.30am, where he plays his choice of music and introduces listeners to emerging artists.
Lamacq is arguably the most famous fan of Colchester United.
