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RAMPAGE RADIO
INTERVIEW WITH "BLACK METAL MARTHA" HUGHES
Rampage Radio is an extreme metal show airing weekly on KUSF, the University of San Francisco's radio station. When this interview was written there were five djs, going by Jose Bacteria, Black Metal Martha (of Bast Magazine fame), Dirty Sanchez, El Duce (same as the Mentors' late drummer) and Tonus the DJ From Hell. Brief but detailed bios can be read at the profiles section of Rampage's site (the pictures that accompany them tread a thin line between humor to like minded metalheads and offensiveness to the politically correct. You can write them through the contacts page if you listen on a regular basis and you want to give them the props, or if you just want to tell Dirty Sanches what you think of his beer gut. The RR staff help arrange metal and punk shows such as the Tidal Wave Metal Fest (this one happened this past June at the John McLaren Park Ampitheatre - visit www.thetidalwave.org for more info). You can listen to Rampage radio online late Saturday night/early Sunday morning from 2 am to 8 am.
Is Rampage Radio a traditional radio station or an internet radio station?
Traditional, airing from University of San Francisco (KUSF - 90.3)
Whose idea was it to start Rampage Radio? How long has it been on the air?
It's been on the air for over 20 years. It was started a long time ago, taking over the spot nobody else wanted. The longest running DJ we have is Ron Quintana, the god of radio! Ron Q. is well-known in the Bay Area metal community. He's a legend and a totally cool guy.
How large is the listenership of Rampage Radio? Is it localized to the United States or does it extend abroad?
It covers most of San Francisco, but isn't strong enough to reach out of SF.
How long have you been involved with Rampage Radio? Have you been with DJing with them since the beginning?
I started two years ago, so I'm the new kid.
How did you get the name "Black Metal Martha"? Include some detail for the readers.
Well, I work two jobs. One of my jobs is working rock concerts at the Fillmore. Everyone there knows what a metalhead I am, and especially how I love black metal. I went to Norway for the first time in 1999, and when I came home, one of the stage crew started calling me that and it stuck.
Talk about the other DJ's who do Rampage Radio with you. How long have they been on the program?
We all play different stuff and have different types of shows. There's Ron Q, who I already mentioned. He plays lots of old-school thrash. Dirty Sanchez plays mostly thrash, hardcore and punk rock. He has lots of interviews and talks a lot on his show. He works in a strip club, so there are lots of stories about his experiences. Tonus the DJ From Hell splits the 6 hours with me. He does the first three and I finish it up. He plays more power metal than I do and he plays some punk. I don't play any punk rock. I play extreme metal: death, black, some grind, epic, that sort of thing. I sometimes throw in a little industrial as well, Razed in Black, KMFDM, etc.
Who photographed the DJ's for the profiles section? Did all the other DJ's write their own biographies?
We submitted the photos to Dirty who takes care of the site for us. Yep, we all wrote our own.
Any particularly interesting stories to tell about yourself and/or the other DJ's?
There is so much history to Rampage. In the 80s, there were wild parties with members of Metallica, Exodus and other thrash bands, as well as fans of the show. There was tons of drinking and illicit drug use. It was a wild time! Me, I like having the studio to myself and immerse myself in the metal. It's kind of strange that some of the listeners whom I don't know start to think of you as their friend. I've have a few try to pick me up and I sort of want to tell them: you don't really know me.
Is there a set list for each DJ, or does each DJ get to pick out their own songs?
We all pick our own songs. We don't follow any set list and if I had to, I wouldn't do it. I play what I want. Where else are you going to hear Graveland, Impaled Nazarene and Wudurlak? And, it's extremely funny in a couple different ways. The University of San Francisco is a private college (and one of the best!) run by the Jesuits. So, I play Satanic black metal at a catholic college! haha! Also, the DJs outside of Rampage are so politically correct, they'd be in shock if they knew what music I play.
What bands has Rampage Radio done features on? Which features received the biggest response?
I don't know this one, as I don't do features. The closest I've come to it was when I got back from Inferno Fest in Norway last month and played a ton of stuff from the bands that played.
How do you and the staff go about promoting Rampage Radio? Do you get the name around by fliers/zine promotion or by internet promotion? Which do you see is more likely to get listeners?
We give flyers out, we announce bands at shows. Rampage has pretty much a faithful following, although I do have to remind my friends to wake up early, or just stay up all night when I'm on. They forget.
Can you mention the shows Rampage Radio has helped arrange, such as the Tidal Wave Metal Festival?
Tidal Wave was around way before Tonus and I were DJs with Rampage Radio. Tidal Wave came about because of a prejudice against extreme music. Tidal Wave was the bastard child of "Makin'Waves" an extremely politically correct music festival where metal bands were not invited. So, we started Tidal Wave to overpower the PC idiots.
In what ways has the internet helped the underground in the last four years or so? Do you believe this will continue?
Oh, the internet is essential for extreme metal! We have freedom online. It's a place where fans and musicians can trade music, links and information.
Are you still doing Bast magazine? Is there anythng new with the zine these days?
It's all online now. www.bastmagazine.com. I like it so much more this way. I don't have the time deadlines and financial stress I did with a print zine.
Where would you like to ser Rampage Radio in the next few years?
The only change I'd like is to get the live internet broadcast back. Other than that, I want it to stay the same. I like what I play and I don't want anyone changing that.
Anything you would like to sign off with?
I appreciate all the hard work you've done for the underground. You rock! - Martha
BAST magazine
c/o: Martha Hughes
334 Hyde St., #2
San Francisco, CA 94109
www.rampageradio.com
www.bastmagazine.com
- Dave Wolff |
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