Mike Bantick
Presents Byte Into It
How did you first connect with Triple R?
Guided by a trusted friend to the early Saturday morning comedy shows (Dogs Breakfast, Danger Low-Brow!, Lawyers Guns and Money etc) which soon expanded to encompass the eclectic nature of the full 3RRR grid.
Completed the radio production course in 1994 I started doing graveyard shows and, for a time it was Mike saturation, as I filled in for just about every show on the grid. The trick here was to build a reputation with the Program managers as a person with no life, who could fill a show at any time of the day on any day of the week.
What/when was your first show?
I don't remember when I bugged Phil for the regular ‘guest' slot on Byte Into It, but he hasn't been able to shake me ever since. I believe it was around 1998.
What's your favourite Triple R story?
Tim Rogers (You Am I) did ring me on a graveyard shift in the early days, to request one of his own songs. I am a little pissed off that I complied since he went on to kick three goals against me in the final Community Cup 2007.
Your favourite other Triple R program and why?
Currently I have been listening a lot to Larry and Stu on All Over The Shop, and Karen Leng on Kinky Afro continues to mould my musical tastes.
What does Triple R mean to you?
RRR has always been about freedom of expression. Selfishly, the ability to play and say what I want (within moral reason) is a liberating feeling. Unselfishly, listening to range of talented folk also expressing themselves unrestrainedly is compelling listening.
Then there is the community feel, the people you meet at RRR functions or gigs, continue to show that there is never a need to be negative about society - at least in Melbourne.
The studio door has accidentally jammed shut with you stuck inside. If there was only one CD in there with you what would you want it to be and why?
Not so much a favourite CD, but as a way to encapsulate the eclectic nature of the station on (I want to say Vinyl, but... what the heck are CD's made out of?), it would be hard to go past Ween's Chocolate and Cheese album. From the quiet rhythmic motions of ‘A Tear For Eddie' to the rambunctiousness of ‘I Can't Put My Finger On It', there is something there that everybody can love, and equally something to offend.
