xplosure 10 years on
Whensday? Monday 6th May 1996
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Hendry's 6th
Stephen Hendry won Snooker's World Championship for a 6th time equalling Steve Davis and Ray Reardens record number of wins. Alanis Morrisette's 'Jagged Little Pill' was number one album, Take That split and within weeks Robbie announced a million pound three album deal with EMI. Glenn Hoddle tipped Germany to beat Terry Venables England, a masked Princess Diana was in hospital to watch hole in the heart surgery. Man City were relegated from the Premiership, while Champs Man Utd beat Liverpool 1-0 to win the FA Cup and do the double. |
Flava of the Week 6 May 96
1 1 GEORGE MICHAEL Fast Love
2 2 MARK MORRISON Return Of The Mack
3 3 GINA G Ooh Ahh Just A Little Bit
4 5 SUGGS Cecilia
5 - BLUR Charmless Man
6 8 MAN UTD Move Move Move (The Red Tune)
7 - BLUETONES Cut Some Rug
8 - BUSTA RHYMES Woo-Hah!
9 4 MANIC STREET PREACHERS A Design For Life
10 - KLUBBHEADS Klubbhoping
11 6 MICHAEL JACKSON They Don't Care About Us
21 13 PRODIGY Firestarter
28 17 PRESIDENTS OF THE USA Peaches
31 24 2 PAC & Dr DRE California Love
33 - SUPER FURRY ANIMALS God Show Me Magic
37 - 60FT DOLLS Talk To Me |
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Xplosure is ten years old this week, born from an idea we had when Steve Johnson and Mike (ne Tony) were at BBC Radio Wales.
We received so many demos we couldn't play them all, many of the bands complained of a lack of live venues in Cardiff prepared to book bands who wanted to play their own original material. Kelly from pre-fame Stereophonics revealed on air how he'd been asked to produce two coach receipts to prove there'd be a crowd coming down from Aberdare for a gig in Cardiff.
Another guest on our show, Simon Adams of Choc-Ice and later BBC TV's Straw Dogs agreed with Mike it would be a good idea to set up a weekly live music club night where such bands could play, for minimal 'loss'.
We brought in Jonny Wing to look after the door and charged 50p or £1 admission, just enough to cover expenses and try to build a regular audience.
Powderclowns, Can't Stand Up and Pink Pussy were first on the xplosure stage and like that night, many's the time after paying club hire and expenses we'd be splitting a five pounds profit three ways at the bar.
But profit wasn't the motive, the motive was to see if we could create a live scene, attract an audience and attract bigger names.
In 1997, Simon quit to go on tour with Midge Ure and Johnny Wing became the focal point for xplosure. For five years Jon booked the regular Monday night bill at Clwb Ifor Bach and when Barfly were looking for someone to launch their Cardiff venue, Jon was the natural choice.
We needed a successful weekend every weekend for Barfly to cover the losses any touring outfits may incur during the week, and so it was we launched the clubnight's that are Mad4it! - the motive not to be cool but to keep the operation in business and keep Barfly in Cardiff.
Here in a rare interview with James McLaren is more insight into xplosure |
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