Stay Sailing

Here's a very dope documentary on the life of pirate radio and its future, by ex-Itch FM DJ The Furious, big up sir!
Gotta give a shout to all my fellow Itch FM deejays for holding it down for so long too, I was lucky enough to be one of the first on the station and remained there for 8 years... My Suspect Packages Radio Show, as I hope you all know, is still running...

Stay Sailing from hazel chandler on Vimeo.

‘Stay Sailing’, directed by Michael Chandler, looks at pirate radio, warts and all, providing a unique insight into this underworld phenomena.
The film features exclusive interviews with DJs and managers, from Passion, Rinse, Origin, Kiss, Itch and many more – as well as some of the pirate scene’s biggest names, such as DJ MK (now on Kiss) and Flight (previously on BBC’s 1Xtra). The film also gained exclusive access to some of the studios, locations and rooftops as pirates scaled a West London tower block at night to put up their rigs. Pirates have been integral to the UK’s music scene, but also provide a hub for communities, opportunities for the excluded, and something positive for street youth to do – but they are illegal. They regularly fight the law, and keep coming back.
This is the story of Pirates as they face their toughest challenge yet - the digital age. Will it kill FM? Will pirates be able to keep sailing the airwaves, or are they dead in the water?
Directed by Michael Chandler, ex-pirate DJ The Furious
Produced by Hazel Chandler

Taskforce & Braintax freestyle - Itch FM Dec/2000

Back when the Suspect Packages Radio Show was broadcasting outta the Itch FM towers somewhere in North London, we had the mighty Taskforce & Braintax up inside the studio one Sunday evening.
It was the 10th of December, year 2000, and Braintax had just released the 'Hardworking' 12". There were a few technical issues during the show with mics not working, and the recording of the show (straight to the tape you see in the picture) wasn't the best. However i've managed to record most of the session onto mp3 for ya, split into two halves, there's also a chance to hear the awesome 'Cosmic Gypsies' joint at the end... Enjoy this slice of 'original pirate material' straight from the Disorda archives.

Part One...

Part Two...

Itch FM April 2001 radio show with Krispy in session

Here's a little Easter treat for ya, the Suspect Packages Radio Show recorded 8 years ago in April 2001 from the Itch FM towers, featuring an exclusive session from Krispy...


Yep, recorded straight from the original tape used that day to dub the show off, you know how we roll. Ghost is also in the studio with me, rocking some co-host steez as it appears this show was a few days before I was lucky enough to be going to Hong Kong, Ghost was gonna be covering for me whilst I was away...

Anywayz, it's a dope show, expect to hear joints from Mark B & Blade feat.Phi-Life Cypher, Taskforce, Rodney P, Manage, Universal Soldiers, Verb T & Mystro, London Posse, Talib Kweli feat.Ty & Blak Twang, Roots Manuva, 499, Points Proven, SL Troopers and more. Your also treated to an exclusive 17 minute session from Mikey D.O.N & Mr Wiz aka Krispy. Big tings, one of my favourite sessions recorded for the show over the 9 years it's been broadcasting...

Listen/Download > side A
Listen/Download > side B


Bonus pressure >>

Here's just the Krispy session lifted straight off the minidisc, rather than the tape of the show as that's a little fuzzy, pirate radio styly...

2001 Itch FM show with Jehst live in the studio

Stepping back in time to the old Itch FM pirate radio days, up in some empty tower block apartment come rain or shine, each and every Sunday between the hours of 6 and 8pm across London town. That's how the show started out from week one of Itch FM's first broadcast, and continued for 6 years straight. Big shout to my loyal listeners from these times, I know you're still checking the shows! 1L.

So, here we have one of these shows, from March 2001, lifted off the original tape used that day, remember tapes? I had the one like Jehst up inside the place... These we're the times I used to sing the intro to the show, now that's gangsta! And have to cut the swearing on tracks out live on air, jokes.

Hit these links for the download:

Side A -featuring tracks from Titan Sounds, Cappo, Krispy, Aspects, Junior Disprol, Defcon Allstars, Taskforce and more...

Side B -featuring Jehst live, talking on his pending High Plains Drifter, Champions Of Nature, and Evil Ed 12" releases. Some freestyle action, airplay of the mentioned releases and more, plus tracks from Katch 22 and Blade...