'DJ Idiot' Takes to the Waves

July 2, 1998

With the exception of liberal talk shows Orlando radio has sucked for a long time. Most larger cities have a public radio show that allows alternative music to be broadcast; but not Orlando.

Fortunately, hidden away in the outskirts of Orlando is WPRK 91.5 FM. WPRK is officially located in Winter Park, but their signal does carry to most parts of Orlando. Funded by Rollins College, WPRK truly is basement radio - the station is located in the basement of Rollins' Mills Memorial Building.

For quite some time WPRK has housed the Skatastrophe Sound System on Saturday's from 2-4pm, and a hardcore show from 4-7pm on Saturday's also. In addition to fine ska and hardcore, WPRK also has great Reggae, Metal, Industrial, Hip-Hop, Techno, Rap etc etc.

There has been a need for a punk show for some time, and finally one of the students started doing one on Tuesday nights from 10 - Midnight. The show met with great success, but unfortunately Sierra (the D.J.) had to go back to California for the summer.

I had been nagging Matt Donnelley (the music director for WPRK) to get a punk show for some time, so naturally I was pleased to finally hear punk on the radio. I called Sierra one night as I tuned in to a great set of Bad Brains and Black Flag. Sierra invited me to come down to the studio to sit in on her show.

It was then that I found out she was leaving, and naturally I asked Matt if I could take over the show. On March 31st I did my first show. I screwed up so many times...playing records at the wrong speed, playing the wrong CD talking without the microphone on (and probably not talking when I didn't know it was on). In fact I screw up so much I have come to refer to myself as DJ Idiot.

Sierra concentrated on old school punk, but I throw a bit of a mix in there. I do play old school, but I also play Oi! and pop punk as well. WPRK's music library is extensive, and I'm very impressed with the amount of vinyl they have accumulated over the years (though most of it is on 7" as opposed to LP).

I also focus on local music because no radio station can ever play enough local music. The first half hour of every show I play solely local music (I can play any format - tape, CD, vinyl). So, if you have a local band and want to get some air time send your tunes to:

WPRK
DJ Idiot's Punk Show
1000 Holt Ave
Box 745
Winter Park, Florida 32789

I plan to start bringing in bands during the show. The first band I intend to bring in is Blackhead (a local pop-punk band). So keep it tuned to WPRK for an alternative to corporate radio.

Jeff Hogan
Jeff Hogan is a thirty year old freelance writer (and business owner) who currently resides in Orlando, Florida. His wife will soon be giving birth to their first child. Using his extensive knowledge gained from his degrees in African American History and Philosophy (and a brief stint at Harvard) Jeff decided to open up a record store where his education could be challenged daily. He continues to write articles for any magazine that will print them and does the occasional book review. Check out my store - d.i.y. records.